Fred A. Pharis, Pharis Law Offices

06/03/2026

You all be cautious out there!

04/19/2026

Ya’ll be careful out there !

Ford is recalling about 1.4 million F-150 pickups after an NHTSA investigation into unexpected downshifts. Dealers will update PCM software.

12/19/2025

Continuing legal education alerts me to Amazon liability for products liability claims. In the case, the plaintiffs, heirs of the deceased, claimed that because Amazon possessed the Chinese-made auto battery charger before sold to the plaintiff, which caught on fire and caused the gentlemen's death, they were subject to liability (other requirements need to be met, also) even though they didn't manufacture it. Important case.

08/28/2025

Display issues arent just Ford’s. I’m representing people who have Nissan‘s Dodge Ram, and GMC trucks always display problems. I wonder if they get all of their electronics from one or two companies overseas.

04/29/2025

https://mol.im/a/14659881 Please exercise caution. I own a 2024 Yukon, so I anticipate seeing you at the dealership, provided the necessary parts are available. I checked the NHTSA website this morning and they have not yet made the recall - VIN number links accessible. However, I recommend checking again in a couple of days regarding your vehicle. . If you encounter difficulties in completing this process efficiently, please do not hesitate to contact me.

More than half a million drivers need to bring their vehicles back to the dealership.

02/21/2024

Ya’ll be careful out there!

The NHTSA announced recalls for more than 300,000 Genesis, Jeep and Ford vehicles. See which models are affected here.

01/06/2024

“As barristers we are rightly required to meet high standards of behaviour in all we do in our professional life: to act with integrity and honesty, and to be independent. Our clients do not always manage to achieve similar standards of behaviour, but our job is not to judge them (that is for judges and juries), but to advise and represent them.” Nick Vineall, Chair of the Bar, KC, U.K.

06/27/2023

Three day jury trial in Mansfield, Louisiana in May, 2023, against Ford Motor Company and now-defunct dealer. Client, an equine dentist (for horses), bought a new Ford F-150 with a 6.5 liter diesel engine to travel to racetracks, horse farms, and private horse owners to fix horse’s teeth. A few weeks after doing the required 7500 mile maintenance, he was driving it when the engine powered down and the check engine light came on at 12,500 miles. He drove slowly to the nearest Ford dealer. They diagnosed “water and debris“ in the high pressure pump and the tech wondered why no “water in fuel” warning message had come on. He removed the water fuel separator sensor, powered it, and submerged it in a cup and f water. Light wouldn’t come on. He notified Ford’s manufacturer rep, who, without making a visit, said no warranty. We don’t cover water in fuel. Customer has to pay estimated $10,000 to $12,000 repair. You see, Ford’s system, unlike GM and Dodge’s, requires FOUR water in fuel events before it warns the operator. Why? Because the separator filter is designed for the heavier water to sink to the bottom and the light fuel to be sucked off the top on toward the high pressure pump, but because the fuel intake line is so close to the water at the bottom it still “sips” the water into the system, causing corrosion damage over time. Seems Ford’s engineers designed it this way. Because they don’t want to change it, SOP (standard operating procedure) for Ford, when confronted with the frequent water-caused damage, is to deny the claim and suggest the customer’s insurance company pay for the repair. My client’s insurance company refused. Seems the insurance companies had detected the high number of claims, smelled a rat, and hired an engineering firm to analyze Ford’s design. I found out about this gentleman as a result of a couple of other cases involving similar situations. His convincing testimony that Ford’s system is defectively designed, especially compared to other manufacturers’ designs, and Ford’s expert engineer’s ridiculous claim that it was “lack of maintenance” by my client (at 12,500 miles?) that caused the damage convinced the jury. Ford tagged for a judgment worth over $170,000. We offered to settle for less before trial, but no dice. Not even a counteroffer.

By the grace of God, I've been given the desire to do what I can for those without the resources of big companies. Thanks to HIm!

05/17/2023

Ya’ll be careful out there!

05/16/2023

Had a case once where a Cadillac caught fire in the console; another where a new Ford truck burned up in client’s front yard. Neither defect was flagged by the manufacturer like this one! When the manufacturer warns you- take heed! Park these outside!