NHTSA Complaint #10175990 — 1999 FORD EXPEDITION

I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD WITH MY THREE CHILDREN DURING RUSH HOUR. I HEARD A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY THE WHAT SOUNDED LIKE MACHINE GUN FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE. I WAS FEARFUL OF THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN AND HAD THEM LEAVE THE CAR. I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. A FORD REPAIRMAN LOOKED AT THE CAR AND STATED THAT THE #3 PASSENGER SIDE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. HE STATED THAT THIS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE. HE SAID THAT THEY SEE MANY OF THESE EACH WEEK AND THAT IT IS USUALLY THE #3 SPARK PLUG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HE STATED THAT IT WOULD BE $2500-$5000 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WE WERE TOLD BY ANOTHER FORD DEALER THAT HE COULD FIX IT FOR $300-$500. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THERE AND DESPITE INFORMING HIM WHICH SPARK PLUG IT WAS, UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE CLAIMED IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO REPAIR AND INCREASED THE REPAIR PRICE TO $2100. WHEN WE OBJECTED HE OFFERED TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FOR $200-$300. WE FEEL AS IF THE FORD DEALERS ARE USING THIS ISSUE TO RUN A BATE AND SWITCH. WE HAVE INVESTIGATED THE MATTER ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE AND FORD'S FAILURE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET INJURED IF THEY FAIL TO CORRECT THEIR DESIGN DEFECT. *NM