A Sydney father has secured a significant legal victory in his ongoing battle against automotive giant Ford, after claiming his nearly $85,000 Ford Ranger was plagued with dangerous faults and required excessive servicing.
A Costly Purchase Turns Sour
Matthew Patruno, a father of two, purchased a 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor 2.0L Bi-Turbo diesel in January 2023 for $84,980. The ex-demo model had only 4,000km on the clock, but he alleges problems began almost immediately. Mr Patruno told the Daily Mail the vehicle needed its first service within months, but mechanics reportedly "couldn't figure out what the issue was."
He ultimately had to have the car serviced three times in ten months, which he described as "excessive for a new car." The situation escalated when he claimed the Ranger suddenly lost power in peak-hour traffic, nearly causing a collision. "The car behind... almost crashed into me, I almost got cleaned up," he stated.
From Tribunal Dismissal to Appeal Success
In November 2024, Mr Patruno lodged a formal claim with the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), seeking a full refund from both Ford Motor Company and the dealership. He argued the vehicle had a persistent oil degradation issue causing unpredictable power loss, especially while towing, rendering it "unfit for purpose." An expert report indicated a 2% oil degradation on a short 25km drive under normal conditions.
However, in June 2025, the tribunal dismissed his claim. It found no defect, siding with Ford's argument that driving in Sydney traffic constituted "severe conditions" which triggered the car's Intelligent Oil Life Monitoring system to require more frequent services.
Undeterred, Mr Patruno appealed. On 9 January this year, the NCAT appeal panel ruled in his favour, ordering the matter to be reheard. A key factor was the admission of new expert evidence from Car Solutions, commissioned in August 2025, which found the fault "still exists." The panel noted the initial tribunal was "silent" on his argument that frequent servicing alone made the vehicle unfit for its intended purpose of interstate travel.
Broader Implications for Consumers
The appeal panel highlighted that Ford should potentially inform consumers that Ranger performance may suffer in Sydney's driving conditions. Mr Patruno expressed frustration, stating, "You would think a vehicle, especially a Ranger, would be able to handle driving in metropolitan centres... An engineer said it was 'unfit for purpose'."
He revealed the dispute has severely impacted his family's plans, preventing trips to Queensland and beyond. "It's actually heartbreaking... we wanted to explore Australia now we can't," he said. He has also warned other potential buyers to stay away from the Ranger model, citing numerous discussions in online forums.
The case will now be sent back for a fresh hearing before a different tribunal member, where all evidence, particularly concerning idling times and service frequency, will be reassessed. Ford was contacted by the Daily Mail for comment.
