Ford’s Transit Trail Settlement Offers $6,000 per Van to Original Owners of 2023 and 2024 Models, With Claims Due Jan. 15

The Ford Transit Trail is an off-road-styled version of the full-size Transit van, sold for the 2023 and 2024 model years with all-terrain tires and a package that cost $12,500 when new, according to Jalopnik. Ford has agreed to a class action settlement that pays $6,000 for each eligible van, and claims are due Jan. 15, 2027. Only original owners and lessees who bought or leased before June 1, 2024, for personal use can claim.

A $12,500 Trail Package and the Tires That Rubbed

The lawsuit, Provo v. Ford Motor Company, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware under case number 1:25-cv-00569, according to Open Class Actions. The plaintiffs allege that the Transit Trail package leaves too little tire clearance in the wheel wells, which can damage the tires.

A federal safety recall covered the same issue. Ford’s report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for recall 24V-226 says 1,902 vehicles were potentially involved. Because of “insufficient packaging allowance,” the front tires may contact the front wheel arch liner and body flange under certain loading, steering and braking conditions. Ford reported no accidents or injuries tied to the condition. The free remedy replaced the front tires, which changed from LT245/75R16E to 235/65R16C.

According to a ClassAction.org report, the suit says the 30.5-inch all-terrain tires can hit the wheel arch liners when turning, braking or carrying heavy loads, which could damage the wheel wells and the tires and create a safety risk. The court granted preliminary approval of the settlement on June 17, 2026.

Jalopnik reported that the recall swapped the 30.5-inch Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse all-terrain tires for the 28.5-inch tires used on standard Transits, and that ground clearance dropped from 6.7 inches to 5.5 inches.

Ford denies wrongdoing and liability, according to the court-approved notice posted by ClassAction.org. The court has not ruled on who is right, and the parties agreed to settle to avoid the cost and risk of continuing the case.

Who Qualifies for the $6,000 Per Van, and Who Is Left Out

The settlement class is made up of original owners or lessees of a new 2023 or 2024 Ford Transit Trail who bought or leased it before June 1, 2024, for personal, family or household use, according to the notice. Eligibility turns on being the first retail buyer or lessee, not on current ownership, so people who have since sold the van can still qualify, Open Class Actions reported.

The payout is $6,000 per class vehicle with a valid and timely claim. Payment comes only after the court approves the settlement and it becomes final, the notice says.

Several groups are excluded. Vans bought from private sellers or used for business do not qualify. People who already received compensation from Ford for the vehicle or its alleged defects, such as a repurchase or earlier settlement payment, are out. So are people who signed a release or litigated their claims to a judgment, Ford employees and the judges on the case.

Qualifying is not the same as being paid. Payment depends on a valid claim and on the court’s final approval, which has not yet been granted.

What a Claim Needs Before the Jan. 15 Deadline

A claim can be filed online at the official settlement website, FordTransitTrailSettlement.com, using the unique ID and PIN printed on the notice mailed to class members, or on a paper claim form sent by mail. The deadline is Jan. 15, 2027, online or postmarked by that date.

The notice lists the documents a claim requires:

The vehicle identification number. A signed statement, made under penalty of perjury, that the claimant was the original owner or lessee and used the van for personal purposes. Purchase or lease documents, or other reliable proof of the purchase or lease date. A completed IRS Form W-9.

The notice also warns that mail may take a week or more to get a postmark, and recommends mailing early or using certified mail. Questions can go to the settlement administrator at 1-877-525-1779 or at [email protected], according to the notice.

The notice says recall remedies and warranty rights are not affected. A van that already got new tires under the recall can still be part of the settlement.

Opt-Out and Objection Dates, the March 16 Hearing and the Lawyers’ Fees

Class members who want to stay out of the settlement must send an opt-out request by first-class mail, postmarked by Jan. 13, 2027. The request cannot be made by phone or email and needs the member’s own signature. Objections to the deal must also be received by the court by Jan. 13, 2027, with copies going to class counsel, Ford’s counsel and the administrator.

Opting out means not taking part in the settlement payment.

U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews presides. The final approval hearing is set for March 16, 2027, at 10 a.m. Eastern time at 844 North King St., Unit 18, in Wilmington, Delaware, and attendance is optional. The date, time and format can change, so the settlement website carries the latest information.

Class counsel, the law firms Berger Montague and Capstone Law, will ask the court to approve fees and expenses of up to $625,000, and service awards of up to $3,500 for each named plaintiff, according to Open Class Actions. Open Class Actions reported that the notice has Ford paying those amounts separately, so they do not reduce the $6,000 per van. The court may award less than requested.

No payment date had been announced as of Oct. 24, 2026.

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This article was produced with AI assistance and edited for accuracy against the sources linked above.

Image: “2023 Ford Transit Trail 350 EcoBlue AWD” by Calreyn88 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikimedia Commons.