Ford's ads overstated C-Max mpg and Super Duty payload — $19.2M multistate settlement

North Carolina's attorney general and 40 other states reached a $19.2 million settlement with Ford in May 2022 over dealer advertising that overstated the capability of two vehicle ranges. For the 2013–14 C-Max hybrid, ads misrepresented real-world fuel economy — promoting 47 mpg in city and highway, a figure Ford later cut twice, ending at 42 mpg city / 37 mpg highway. Marketing also claimed driving style would not affect real-world economy and ran 'Hybrid Games' spots showing the C-Max outperforming the Prius.

The Super Duty trucks (2011–14 F-250, F-350 and F-450) were marketed with 'Best-in-Class' payload claims based on a hypothetical stripped-down configuration — omitting the spare wheel and tire, the jack, the center console and the radio — which only fleet customers could actually order. The peak figure was advertised as available to all customers, leaving retail buyers with trucks that could never match the claim.

Ford admitted no wrongdoing but agreed to stop the practices, improve compliance, and pay $19.2 million including $1.2 million in attorneys' fees. North Carolina received about $380,000, and the settlement provided for restitution to affected owners and lessees.