A class-action lawsuit is set to go to trial in June 2007 against Ford Motor Company. The suit, brought on behalf of 414,000 Ford Explorer customers, alleges the company falsely marketed the safety and reliability of the vehicle.

The lawsuit claims Ford deceived customers and threatens more than $2 billion in profits Ford earned from Explorers built and sold in California in the 1990s.

“This vehicle is one of the most dangerous vehicles ever produced in this country,” said Tab Turner, Little Rock, Arkansas product liability lawyer and plaintiff’s lead counsel. Turned said Ford Explorers built in the 1990s have a tendency to roll over during evasive maneuvers at speeds over 40 miles per hour.

The lawsuit alleges Ford knew of the Explorer’s trend of rolling over because of its high center of gravity, but that the company decided it would be more profitable to produce the vehicle without changing the design. Shortly after, a marketing campaign advertised the Explorer’s safety and reliability.

The class of plaintiffs includes California residents who bought, owned, or leased a 1991-2001 Ford Explorer between 1990 and August 9, 2000. California residents who qualify either still possess their vehicles, or have sold them or ended their leases after August 9, 2000. Residents who qualify are automatically part of the product liability lawsuit.

Ford’s lawyer has said the tires, not the vehicles, were responsible for the problems.

Sacramento Superior Court Judge David DeAlba will decide the case without a jury.

Source: Hudson Sangree, “SUV rollovers put Ford’s future in judge’s hands,” Sacramento Bee, May 24, 2007.