NHTSA Complaint #10212907 — 2001 FORD EXCURSION

BLAST FROM ENGINE AT 45 MPH WHILE DRIVING ON SNOWY/ICY BRIDGE CHRISTMAS NIGHT 2007. NO WHERE TO PULL OVER. BOUNCED OFF SNOW PILE AND WITH MOMENTUM CROSSED OVER BRIDGE. STILL IN TRAFFIC AND SEVERAL NEAR MISSES LATER HIGHWAY PATROL FOUND ME AND DIVERTED TRAFFIC. SPARK HAD BLOWN RIGHT OUT OF ENGINE BUT STILL ATTACHED TO COIL. GAS EXITING AND IGNITED WITH EACH SPARK FIRING. VEHICLE NOW AT FORD DEALER. GREATER THAN $4,000 REPAIR. SERVICE WRITER SAYS SPARK PLUGS BLOWING OUT OF ENGINE AND DISABLING ENGINE WITH POSSIBLE FIRE HAS BEEN COMMON ON 2000-2005 FORD TRUCK ENGINES. FORD NEEDS TO BE PRESSED FOR RECALL. NOT ENOUGH THREADS TO HOLD SPARK PLUGS IN LONG TERM ON ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. COMMON EXPECTATION OF SERVICEABILITY IS THAT SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION FIRE STAY INSIDE ENGINES. CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEB SIGHT LIST HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. *TR