NHTSA Complaint #10171615 — 2003 FORD F-150

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE issue reported to NHTSA

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Vehicle Towed

Complaint Details

ODI Number	10171615
Vehicle	2003 FORD F-150
Component	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Date of Incident	October 19, 2005
Date Filed	October 23, 2006
Mileage	64,532 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	Yes
State	CA

Consumer Description

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, MY F-150, 5.4 LITER ENGINE BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG. THE REPAIR COST IS IN EXCESS OF $4000. THE AFFECTED ALUMINUM CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE DOES NOT COVER THE ROUTINE TIGHTENING / INSPECTION OF SPARK PLUGS DURING THE PERIODIC 30K, 60K SERVICES EVEN THOUGH THEY (THE DEALER) KNOWS THAT THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. THE DESIGN PROBLEM STEMS FROM A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF THREADS TO HOLD THE SPARK PLUG IN PLACE. THE 5.4 LITER ENGINE IS A POWERFUL ENGINE THAT NECESSITATES A THICKER AND LONGER WELL TO TORQUE AND HOLD THE SPARK PLUGS IN PLACE. THE INTERNET IS FILLED COMPLAINTS MADE BY FORD CONSUMERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS ON FORD ENGINES. *NM

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