Family Says Hidden Flaw In Popular Hybrid Let Deadly Gas Leak Into Cabin

A new lawsuit filed in Arizona has put Ford and several of its dealerships under a legal spotlight, raising questions about safety oversight in one of the company’s mass-market hybrid vehicles. The case alleges that design flaws and inadequate safety systems created a potentially lethal hazard for everyday drivers.

The lawsuit has reignited discussion about the responsibility of automakers and dealers when vehicle systems fail in ways that can have fatal consequences.

A Deadly Chemical

At the center of the case is hydrogen sulfide poisoning, a toxic gas capable of killing within seconds when concentrations become high enough.

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According to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, it’s what killed 60-year-old Abimael Feliciano as he was driving down Montgomery Highway in Dothan, Alabama. He rolled up to a stoplight on August 8, 2023, but never drove away. His family believes the blame lies with Ford and several dealers in the state.

How Could This Happen?

An inspection of Feliciano’s car found that the vent tubing leading from the rear-mounted battery wasn’t properly connected, according to WTVY.

The lawsuit claims that Ford not only poorly designed the hybrid system, but also failed to include basic detection or warning systems that could have alerted Feliciano before exposure reached a fatal level.

The plaintiff’s main issue concerns the mass-market nature of the C-Max Hybrid. In theory, there’s no situation where it should be possible for it to fill its own cabin with deadly gas.

Arizona dealerships Bill Luke Tempe, Camelback Ford Lincoln, and Sanderson Ford are also included in the complaint. They’re accused of failing to properly inspect, maintain, or repair the vehicle in prior service interactions.

“This is about more than one family’s loss – it’s about the responsibility automakers and dealers have to every driver and passenger on the road,” said D. Michael Andrews of Beasley Allen. “We are determined to hold these companies accountable and to push for changes that will prevent tragedies like this from happening again.”

Feliciano’s family requested a jury trial and unspecified financial damages, along with widespread industry attention to battery venting and toxic gas detection in platforms like this one.

Sources: WTVY, Local12