A significant development has occurred in the ongoing litigation involving Ford 6.7L diesel trucks equipped with CP4 high-pressure fuel pumps.
On September 30, 2026, U.S. District Judge Laurie J. Michelson of the Eastern District of Michigan certified classes of certain Ford truck purchasers in California, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. In a separate order, the Court largely denied Ford Motor Company's motion for summary judgment, allowing the litigation to continue and bringing the case closer to trial.
Hilliard Law is among three law firms appointed as class counsel in the litigation, representing truck owners who allege they suffered significant financial losses after their CP4 fuel pumps failed.
What Is the Ford CP4 Fuel Pump Lawsuit?
The litigation involves certain 2011-present MY Ford diesel trucks equipped with the Bosch CP4 high-pressure fuel pump.
The plaintiffs allege that the CP4 pump is not sufficiently durable for fuel conditions commonly encountered in the United States. According to the plaintiffs' mechanical engineering expert, the pump may be particularly vulnerable when operating with ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), the standard diesel fuel available at U.S. gas stations.
When a CP4 pump fails, plaintiffs allege that it can break apart internally and send metal debris throughout the truck's fuel injection system. A failure can potentially leave a truck disabled and require extensive repairs.
For some owners, the resulting repairs can cost $8,000 to $20,000, depending on the extent of the damage.
The lawsuit further alleges that Ford has denied warranty coverage for some CP4 pump failures by attributing the damage to fuel contamination.
It is important to note that these are allegations made by the plaintiffs. The Court has not yet ruled that the CP4 fuel pump is defective, and Ford disputes the plaintiffs' claims. Those issues will be addressed as the litigation proceeds.
What Did the Court Decide?
One of the key issues before the Court was whether the claims could appropriately proceed as a class action.
Ford argued that individual truck owners' claims would require separate examinations of each pump failure and that individual questions about causation would prevent the case from proceeding on a class-wide basis.
The Court disagreed at the class-certification stage.
In its September 30 ruling, the Court found that the common question of whether the CP4 pump is defective predominates over individual questions concerning causation. The Court determined that the alleged underlying defect presents a common issue that can be addressed across the certified classes.
The Court certified classes involving certain truck purchasers in:
- California
- Louisiana
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
In a separate ruling, the Court also largely denied Ford's motion for summary judgment, allowing the plaintiffs' claims to continue toward trial.
Importantly, class certification is not a finding that Ford's CP4 fuel pump is defective or that Ford is liable. The plaintiffs must still prove their claims as the litigation moves forward.
Why This Development Matters
For owners who have experienced a catastrophic CP4 fuel pump failure, the consequences can extend far beyond the inconvenience of having a truck in the repair shop.
A fuel pump failure can potentially damage multiple components of a vehicle's fuel system, leaving owners with significant repair bills and a truck they cannot drive.
The recent rulings are an important procedural development because certain owners in five states will now be able to pursue their claims together rather than having each claim proceed entirely on an individual basis.
The litigation will continue as the parties move toward the next stages of the case.
Hilliard Law Named Class Counsel
Hilliard Law is proud to be one of three law firms appointed as class counsel in this litigation.
Hilliard Law Founder and Owner Bob Hilliard said the Court's ruling represents an important step for Ford truck owners who have faced substantial expenses following CP4 fuel pump failures.
“This ruling is a major step forward for Ford truck owners who paid thousands of dollars out of pocket when their CP4 fuel pumps failed. The Court’s ruling allows certain owners in five states to pursue their claims together and brings them a significant step closer to holding Ford accountable. These customers paid a premium for diesel trucks they expected to be dependable. We intend to fight for every dollar they are owed.”
What Happens Next?
The Ford CP4 fuel pump litigation is ongoing. The Court's recent decisions allow the certified state classes to move forward, but the case has not yet reached a final determination regarding whether the CP4 fuel pump is defective or whether Ford is liable for the damages alleged by the plaintiffs.
As class counsel, Hilliard Law will continue working with the other appointed class counsel to pursue the claims on behalf of the certified classes as the litigation progresses.
Case: Droesser v. Ford Motor Co., No. 2:19-cv-12365-LJM-APP (E.D. Mich.)