Ford Settles Class Action Over Transit Trail Tire Rubbing, Offers $6,000 to Eligible Owners
Ford has agreed to pay $6,000 to original owners and lessees of the 2023 Transit Trail whose 30.5‑inch tires can rub the wheel wells.
The 2023 Ford Transit Trail was marketed as an adventure‑ready camper van, featuring a 3.5‑inch lift, a 2.5‑inch wider track, skid plates, tow hooks and exterior cladding. However, the vehicle’s 30.5‑inch all‑terrain tires have been found to rub the fender liners in the wheel wells under certain conditions.
What the lawsuit claimed
The class action alleged that the Transit Trail did not provide sufficient wheel‑and‑tire clearance. In turning, braking, or when the van is loaded with equipment or passengers, the tires can contact the wheel arches, creating a potential safety and durability issue. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a recall in March 2024 citing “insufficient packaging allowance” for the front tires.
Settlement details
Ford has agreed to a settlement that will pay $6,000 per vehicle to eligible class members. To qualify, a person must be the original owner or lessee of a Ford Transit Trail purchased or leased before June 1, 2024 from an authorized dealer, outfitter, up‑fitter or other intermediary that acquired the vehicle for resale or conversion.
Used‑vehicle owners are not included.
Individuals who have already sued Ford over the same issue are also excluded.
Even if the claimant no longer owns the van, they may still be eligible if they were the original owner or lessee.
How to file a claim
Eligible class members must submit a valid claim form with proof of ownership or lease on the settlement website by January 15, 2027. After the court’s final approval—expected after a hearing on March 16, 2027—payments will be issued by check, pending any appeals.
Financial context
The Trail trim package cost buyers about $12,500. The settlement amount represents roughly half of that price, which many owners may use to address the wheel‑clearance problem.
Ford’s agreement to the settlement indicates acknowledgment of the tire‑rubbing issue, providing monetary relief to those affected.
