Ford fined a record $10 million by consumer watchdog

Ford has been fined a record $10 million by the consumer watchdog for failing to fix dodgy transmissions in nearly 11,000 cars.

The ACCC has ordered Ford fix, buy back or replace the cars made between 2011 and 2015.

The models affected include the Fiesta, Focus and EcoSport SUVs equipped with the six-speed “Powershift” transmission.

Graeme Whickman, Ford Motors CEO, apologised to customers today.

“As we said from the outset of this action, we took too long to identify the issues and we acknowledge that PowerShift customers did not have complaints handled appropriately,” Mr Whickman said.

“We were overwhelmed with the volume of complaints and, while it was not intended, over a ten-month period our processes were inadequate and information provided was either inaccurate or incomplete.

“We let our customers down and for that we are sorry.”