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.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.“We are reviewing the complaint,” a Ford spokesperson told The Post.“We have a lineup of affordable and accessible vehicles today and we’ll continue to act on that commitment in ways that make sense for customers and dealers.”Legal experts said the filing alone is unlikely to determine the outcome of the case.“An [Earnings Before Interest and Taxes] benefit doesn’t necessarily equal cash in hand,” Bobby Taghavi, managing partner at Sweet James, told The Post.“Discovery will likely focus on whether that figure represents a gross refund, a net financial benefit after offsets, o...