NHTSA Complaint #10219317 — 2001 FORD EXCURSION

I HAVE HAD TWO SPARK PLUGS EJECT FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD ON MY FORD EXCURSION. THE FIRST PLUG EJECTED ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO. ON THE 24TH OF FEBRUARY 2008 A SECOND SPARK PLUG EJECTED THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP, COSTING ME $350.00 TO REPAIR. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A FORD REPRESENTATIVE TO CONTACT ME ABOUT THE SECOND FAILURE. THE REASON THIS IS HAPPENING IS BECAUSE THERE ARE ONLY APPROXIMATELY THREE THREADS TAPPED INTO THE HEAD TO HOLD THE PUG IN. A TYPICAL CYLINDER HEAD USUALLY HAS AT LEAST 1/2 OF AN INCH OR ABOUT 7-8 THREADS TO HOLD THE PLUG IN. THIS IS, IN MY OPINION, AN ENGINEERING DEFECT WITH FORD BEING LIABLE FOR THE DEFECT FROM FACTORY. THERE IS A SAFETY HAZARD ASSOCIATED WITH THIS. WHEN THE SPARK PLUG EJECTS FUEL VAPOR IS BLOWN OUT OF THE SPARK PLUG HOLE DURING THE COMPRESSION STROKE. IF THE COIL PACK COMES APART, AS WAS THE CASE IN THE FIRST FAILURE, THAT FUEL VAPOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IGNITE AND CAUSE A FIRE. *TR