A Sydney man, Matthew Patruno, is seeking a refund from Ford Motor Company for nearly $85,000 spent on a Ford Ranger, alleging the vehicle experienced multiple problems. The dispute has led to legal proceedings in Australia.
Mr. Patruno claims his 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor 2.0L Bi-Turbo diesel, purchased in January 2023 with 4,000km, exhibited issues shortly after acquisition. He reported power loss, oil problems, and required three services within ten months, citing an incident where the vehicle lost power in traffic, almost causing an accident.
Legal Proceedings
Mr. Patruno filed a claim with the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal in November 2024, seeking a refund from Ford Motor Company and the dealership. He alleged the vehicle was defective due to a persistent oil degradation issue, which he claimed caused power loss, particularly when towing.
An initial report indicated a two percent oil degradation on a short drive without towing, which Mr. Patruno argued suggested an inherent fault. However, the tribunal initially found in favor of Ford and the dealership, dismissing Mr. Patruno's claim in June 2025. The tribunal stated that Mr. Patruno had driven the Ranger in Sydney traffic, which Ford defined as "severe conditions," and that the vehicle's Intelligent Oil Life Monitoring (IOLM) system was designed to increase service frequency under such conditions.
Appeal and Rehearing
Mr. Patruno appealed the decision, asserting it was "not fair and equitable" and against the evidence. He also presented new evidence: an expert report by Car Solutions from August 2025, which indicated the vehicle fault persisted. The Civil and Administrative Tribunal appeal panel admitted this report as significant new evidence.
On January 9, the appeal panel sided with Mr. Patruno, overturning the initial dismissal. The matter will be reheard by a different member at a later date. The appeal panel noted that the initial tribunal was "silent" on Mr. Patruno's argument that the Ranger was "unfit for purpose" due to the increased frequency of required services, especially for a vehicle intended for interstate travel. They also highlighted Mr. Patruno's submission regarding an EPA study on average idle times in NSW, suggesting it contradicted Ford's definition of severe idling conditions.