Ford Canada reverses $3K charge for extra mileage on Ontario man’s car following crash that killed his wife

Ford Canada has forgiven an elderly Ontario man $3,000 in additional mileage after a fatal accident, following a public outcry and media coverage.

Tragedy on Family Day
On Family Day, February 17, 2025, Eric and June Greer were returning home in their 2023 Ford Bronco in Elmville, Ontario, when they were swerving in snowy conditions when they collided with a Ford F-150 pickup truck. The severity of the crash resulted in serious injuries to both occupants and a total loss of their vehicle. The driver of the pickup truck was not injured and was not charged.

After being taken to the hospital, Eric was transferred to the intensive care unit due to a brain hemorrhage, and June, who was in a more serious condition, died 12 days later. Unfortunately, Eric was unable to attend his wife’s funeral due to his condition. Doctors also diagnosed him with advanced colon, liver and pancreatic cancer, and he had only months to live.

A bill that doubled the pain
Months after the disaster, on June 3, Ford Credit sent Eric a bill for nearly $3,000 in excess mileage and a $500 deductible. This was despite the fact that the damaged car had been fully paid off by the insurance company and was virtually nonexistent.

Eric’s son, Jason Greer, who represented his father, had no problem paying the deductible, but he found it unreasonable to be charged extra for mileage on a car that was destroyed. “If the car was going to be sold, it might make sense,” he said. “But this car is destroyed, and this is more of a claim than a disaster.”

He tried repeatedly to convince Ford to forgive the amount out of compassion, but the company initially refused to drop the claim. In a letter dated July 18, Ford even threatened to refer the matter to debt collectors if payment was not made.

Ford changes position after media coverage
Following a media call from CTV News Toronto, the company finally contacted the family and announced that it would forgive all expenses. In a letter dated July 24, Ford expressed its sympathy for Eric and emphasized that his account had been settled.

Jason thanked Ford for its final decision, saying, “We are glad that the right thing was done in the end, although it was disappointing that I had to involve the media to get to this point.”

Expert’s take: Rare but legal
Sherry Primek, senior policy officer at the nonprofit Car Help Canada, said it’s rare for a customer to receive such a payment after a fatal accident, but it’s legally acceptable under a lease agreement. “In most cases, when a vehicle is destroyed in an accident, insurance pays all financial obligations and the contract is terminated,” she explained. “But lease agreements explicitly state the penalty for excess mileage.”

Primk stressed that customers should pay attention to mileage limits when signing leases to avoid unexpected charges at the end of the term.

Ford’s final decision to waive the payment, however, was seen as a humane step in the face of tragic circumstances.