NHTSA Complaint #10158249 — 2001 FORD F-150

MY F-150 FORD PICKUP TRUCK ENGINE MADE A LOUD POP AND A SERIES OF POP NOISES AFTER THAT IN TANEYTOWN, MD ON 4/28/06. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AND SHUT ENGINE OFF. OPENED HOOD AND DID NOT SEE ANYTHING, BUT SMELLED GAS. STARTED ENGINE AND SAW A COIL AND WIRE FLAPPING UP AND DOWN. PURCHASED NEW COIL ON 4/29, AND ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE. FOUND SPARK PLUG FROM CYLINDER ON THE LAYING ON THE TOP OF ENGINE BLOCK. I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE HOME, BUT 3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, EXPERIENCED SAME CONDITION. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO CROUSE FORD IN TANEYTOWN, MD. INTERNET SEARCHES SHOW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED PRIVATE AUTO REPAIR CENTER TO CORRECT. THIS HAS COST ME OVER $6,900 THUS FAR. I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. THERE ARE COUNTLESS CASES OF THIS CONDITION IN THE TRITON ENGINES (FROM MY RESEARCH) FROM 1999-2002. I BELIEVE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO ME, ITS CUSTOMERS, AND THE OTHER POTENTIAL FAILURES FROM THEIR POOR ENGINE DESIGN. THE HEAD IS MANUFACTURED FROM ALUMINUM, AND THE SPARK PLUGS ONLY HAVE 4 THREADS WHICH IS NOT ENOUGH TO HOLD UNDER COMBUSTION PRESSURE. DENIAL OF THIS CONDITION, IN MY OPTION IS CONSUMER FRAUD. I AM SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT OF TOTAL COST OF ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND ALL ASSOCIATED REPAIR COSTS ENCOUNTERED FROM THIS NEGLIGENCE. I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE. *JB