NHTSA Complaint #10154147 — 2000 FORD EXCURSION

DRIVING APPROX. 40 MPH, HEARD A POP AND SUDDENLY VEHICLE LOST ALL BUT MINIMAL POWER. PULLED OVER, OPENED HOOD AND NOTICED A SPARK PLUG DANGLING OUTSIDE THE CYLINDER HEAD. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD, SAID "OH, YES IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME....BUT ITS NOT A RECALL." VEHICLE HAS 82K MILES, OFF WARRANTY, LAST SPARK PLUG CHANGE 9K MILES AGO. THEY WANTED 5K TO FIX IT. WENT TO ANOTHER FORD SERVICE, SAME STORY, SAME PRICE. CALLED LOCAL MECHANIC FRIEND, "OH YEAH HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH THAT VEHICLE. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CAREFULLY TAP A SLIGHTLY LARGER HOLE AND INSERT APPROPRIATE SPARK PLUG ...$400." IF EVERYONE WHO REPAIRS THESE VEHICLES IS AWARE OF WHAT MUST BE A PRODUCTION DEFECT, WHY ARE THERE NOT MORE REPORTS AND A RECALL? HOW CAN I BEST IDENTIFY OTHERS SIMILARLY AFFECTED AND MAKE FORD, NHTSA OR OTHER APPROPRIATE AGENCIES AWARE OF THE PROBLEM? *NM