NHTSA Complaint #10054460 — 1999 FORD EXPEDITION

WHILE DRIVING MY 1999 FORD EXPEDITION 5.4L ON THE INTERSTATE AT 55 MPH, A HEARD A NOISE WHICH AT FIRST FELT LIKE SOMETHING CAUGHT IN THE FAN, BUT WAS ALTER DETERMINED THAT A SPARK PLUG #2 PASSENGER SIDE HAD BLOWN OUT AND BROKEN OFF THE COIL CAUSING CONTACT WITH THE 2 FUEL RAIL. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONGST FORD TRITON ENGINE OWNERS AND THE ALUMINUM HEAD IS INADEQUATE IN KEEPING THE SPARK PLUGS INTACT AFTER 50, 00 MILES OR SO DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, FORD HAS RE-DESIGNED THE HEAD ON NEWER MODELS, BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. I FEEL THAT A RECALL IS NECESSARY BECAUSE THE COIL CAN DAMAGE THE FUEL LINE AND THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *CB