Ford customer wants cut of $1.3B in tariff refunds while accusing automaker of ‘unjust windfall'

A California man is suing Ford, alleging the automaker plans to keep a projected $1.3 billion tariff-related benefit while maintaining the higher prices it started charging customers — an “unjust windfall” according to the lawsuit.

Jason Bullock, a San Diego resident who purchased a 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E in February, alleges Ford increased prices and destination fees to offset President Trump’s tariffs before the Supreme Court struck down those duties earlier this year. According to the complaint, Bullock paid a price that reflected Ford's tariff-driven increases and has received no reimbursement.

A proposed class action alleges Ford passed tariff costs on to consumers before planning to retain a projected $1.3 billion IEEPA-related benefit. Ford CEO Jim Farley is pictured. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The suit does not specify how much Bullock paid for the car. The lawsuit argues Ford is now poised to receive a “$1.3 billion adjusted EBIT benefit of IEEPA,” citing the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission — all while continuing to maintain “flat US industry pricing.” The complaint contends those disclosures show Ford intends to retain a tariff-related boon rather than pass it on to consumers.

“If Ford retains the IEEPA benefit while also retaining the tariff-related price increases paid by consumers, Ford will receive a double recovery and unjust windfall,” the complaint states.

Bullock is seeking to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased or leased new Ford vehicles after the tariff-related price increases took effect.

Legal experts said the filing alone is unlikely to determine the outcome of the case.

The plaintiff says he purchased a 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E after the automaker raised prices in response to Trump-era tariffs. Getty Images

Taghavi said Ford is also likely to challenge whether the case can proceed as a class action. “Class certification is often the biggest hurdle in consumer cases,” he said. “Ford will likely argue that pricing decisions varied by vehicle, dealership, and customer, making individual issues outweigh common ones.”

The refund is expected to boost Ford's Blue and Pro segments rather than go back to buyers, according to the automaker's disclosures.

President Trump's 2025 tariff rollout sparked higher costs across the auto industry and is now at the center of a proposed class action against Ford. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

The lawsuit stems from Trump's 2025 tariff regimen, which imposed sweeping import duties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act on goods from Canada, Mexico and China. The administration initially imposed 25% tariffs on most imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on Chinese goods in February 2025, later raising the rate on China to 20%. Ford was among the automakers that warned investors the tariffs would drive up costs. The company said in May 2025 that the trade measures would cost it roughly $1.5 billion for the year and announced price increases on Mexico-built models, including the Bronco Sport, Maverick and Mustang Mach-E, citing the added expense. Industrywide, the tariffs rippled through the auto sector, disruptin...