Feds Urged to Act on Ford Spark Plug Blow-Outs

[Jim Bloomington Mn]

2000 Excursion blew the #3 plug on my V10 $3500 to repair while I was on vacation in Kentucky. Thanks Ford for ruining my kids spring break!!!

[chris twentynine palms Ca]

I have a 2002 Excursion that just blew out a plug on my way to work the other day! I have been a Ford fan my whole life, but after this form I have to think twice. Hopefully Ford motor co. does the right thing

[Bob Reynolds]

Ford Motor company has done a lot of crazy ass things in their trucks the last few years----Hope they go under!!!!!!!!!

[Christopher Hiher]

My 99 f 150 blew out the left bank number 2 spark pulg 88000 Really big inconvenince.. Towing cost 4200 dollars for a new cylinder head

[Willie Beamin]

98 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer w/131000 miles and I blew a plug out. Getting repaired tomorrow. After reading this page it will be only a matter of time before I blow it out again. I wish there was and inexpensive fix or Ford would own up

[James]

My 2002 F150 just blew the #3 plug on the passenger side. Before this happened, I heard a ticking noise that I believed was an exhaust leak. I took my truck to the dealer and they told me that there was nothing leaking. About two weeks later POW!! and there it went. The plug blew completely out of the engine, taking the Coil with it. I had the truck towed to the same dealership that told me there was nothing wrong. They told me that they have only seen this happen two other times in the past 5 years. They then quoted me a $2,600 repair fee for a new head. They also said that the warranty won't cover the damage.

[Shawn M]

You know, you guys are kind of scaring the sh** out of me right now. I was trying to change the plugs on my truck last night, and after the fact that the current plugs are not a 5/8 plug, I put the one coilpack back in until I can get the right socket, started up my truck to make sure it was ok.

Now, I've heard a slight 'ticking' sound for a little while, but always figured it was normal since there's 3 valves per cyln, but it's only comming from the passanger side.

This is a 2004 FX4 Supercab. Does anyone know if there's any year that's worse than any other?

[matt in australia]

Hi guys dont worry your problem has hit aus my f250 was ticking from number 7 after a friend of mine had experienced this fault(under warranty) i had my mechanic report it to our local dealer my plug blew 10 days past warranty i have caused hell for the dealer and so far it looks like they are going to repair it ford aus is involved but still no-one wants to admitt fault

[Ford Spark Plug Repair]

James wrote:

My 2002 F150 just blew the #3 plug on the passenger side. Before this happened, I heard a ticking noise that I believed was an exhaust leak. I took my truck to the dealer and they told me that there was nothing leaking. About two weeks later POW!! and there it went. The plug blew completely out of the engine, taking the Coil with it. I had the truck towed to the same dealership that told me there was nothing wrong. They told me that they have only seen this happen two other times in the past 5 years. They then quoted me a $2,600 repair fee for a new head. They also said that the warranty won't cover the damage.

James,
You don't need a new head! I live if Fort Wayne and had the same thing happen. I've done all the research and have fixed my own triton V8 with a timesert kit. If you would like it fixed for thousands less,(without having to buy the kit) contact me ASAP. We can come to you. Contact Phil at [e-mail]
Anyone else living within 2 hours of Fort Wayne please contact me for a permanent fix for a fraction of what the dealer will charge.

[Ford Spark Plug Repair]

Duane wrote:

It cost me over $3000 to fix my 1998 F 150, 5.4 engine with a blown spark plug. Has anyone started a class action lawsuit? I want in.

Yes and here's how you "get in" http://forddefects.com/info.php

[Al d]

Well I guess this is a welcome to the club for me. Saturday I belw my #3 plug on the drivers side of my 2000 ford Excursion. The dealer just called and and gave me a estimate of $3069 at the same time blamed it on the over torgue or under torque of the spark plugs. BS

[Mark]

I operate a family business, started in 1966. For the most part, we have used ford trucks, and over the years have purchased several dozen pickups, from F150 to F350.
The last decade has seen the quality of Ford trucks in steady decline, while the price continues to rise.
We have had several problems with blown plugs, and with the service from Ford in general. Recently, an F350 was not shifting properly, and I took it in to be diagnosed. I have not been happy with Fords service, so I stood in the shop for 2 hrs while they tried to diagnose the problem, which they could not determine. I decided to take it to a private shop, and they told me that the problem was likely a speed sensor in the rear end, which it was. The repair bill from the private shop was less money than what Ford charged to 'try' to find the problem.
This week another Triton v10 F350 blew a plug. It was just repaired for the same problem 6 months ago.
I am DONE with Ford. After 40 years of using Ford trucks, it is time to find a company that will provide a quality truck and some decent service to match.

[RICHARD]

PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT TO TAKE A PRETTY STRESSFULL TEST THAT DAY,ALL OF A SUDDEN BAM BAM BAM.GOT OUT TOOK A LOOK UNDER THE HOOD,NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT #3!.LIMPED TO A DEALER AFTER PUTTING IT BACK ABOUT A QUARTER TURN AND THEY WERE NOT SUPRISED AT ALL.$3200 LATER WHAT A RIP!THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THIS DEFECT!
2001 SD F-250 154,000 PHX AZ. 4-24-06

[Angel Jimenez]

Rhino wrote:

My sons 2002 Harley F-150 just blew out a plug on the passengers side while driving down the freeway. Bob Rinehart

Are you by any chance related to a Richard Rinehart from Willens, West Virginia who was in the Air Force in the 60's.
If so, here is my e-mail. [e-mail]
Thanks

[Ancell]

My F150 blow out the #8 and the #1 spark plug, am so mad at the Ford Company, I have had a Honda Accord Ex for 14 years, all I ever did was to service it each 3m miles, changed 2 timing belts in over 210,000 miles. I wanted to support my own country manufacturing so I decided to purchase a Ford, what a big mistake I made, now I am forced to pay $4600.00 to replace the engine in this 2000 F150 Truck, If I just replace the heads, I would have the same problem all over again, so se see why the Manufactures of Foreing nations are gaining market share, too bad we have no pride here any more for "MADE IN USA"

[James]

Just blew out my #3 plug today. Only going about 10/15 mph and pulled up to the stop sign. Bang, and pop pop pop, always used to love fords, but now I am changing my mind. They wont stand behind their products!....dodge here I come.

[Ford Spark Plug Repair]

In most cases, you do not have to remove and machine the cylinder head. If you are located in the Midwest, contact me. We can save you thousands, with the only Ford authorized repair. Phil at [e-mail]

[Grover]

Just had #3 plug blow out on a 5.4, Ford wants 3500 to 4000 to repair.Fat chance.

[Karl A]

I have a 1998 E-150 Van with the 5.4 Triton and blew a plug on 4/28/06. I was aware of the problem with the plugs and brought my vehicle in and had the plugs replaced with long shank plugs less than 12,000 miles ago. The dealership was aware of this defect yet did nothing to rectify the problem. They could have fixed the problem at the time I was having my scheduled tune-up! They should have tapped the head and put in a larger plug. They don't recommend Heli coils. I'm in Minnesota and would love to file a class action lawsuit against FORD! I can not believe they are not issuing a callback. I have owned Ford truck and Vans since the 80's and will not purchase one again! Wake up FORD!

[BobC]

Well without my knowledge of the subject - I just joined the Pop Tart Club. Friday night (4/28) I was heading to my kids High School Baseball game. Afterwards, we were going out for a nice dinner. Heard that famous “ P O P” pop pop pop pop. Had no idea what happened, but saw the coil broke the mount and was all banged up. Parked my F-150 and begged for a ride home. Saturday I went to replace the coil and I thought that the top of my engine was a weird place for Ford to leave a spark plug. I limped to a Ford Dealer about 3 miles away. Been 48 hrs now, they still haven't called me back to lie to me yet... but I'm waiting for it. Saturday night spent the weekend reading your posts. Get this – I chose my 2001 F-150 over Dodge and Chevy because I wanted a vehicle with "reliability and reputation". I'm demanding for a class action suit for this negligence. This is actually consumer fraud in my book. My Uncle owned a Ford Dealership for 25 years - Sorry Uncle Never Again!