NHTSA Complaint #10223738 — 2001 FORD F-250 SD

ON THE WAY TO WORK TODAY, MY 2001 FORD F-250 BLEW A SPARK PLUG. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I CALLED A MECHANICALLY INCLINED FRIEND TO GET HIS FIRST IMPRESSION (TO AVOID BEING RIPPED OFF BY THE DEALERSHIP) AND HE COULD NOT FATHOM IT. I THOUGHT IT STRANGE THAT WHEN I CALLED A DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE TECHNICIAN IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY FROM THE SOUND HE HEARD OVER THE CELL PHONE. I HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM BEFORE, SO I DECIDED TO LOOK IT UP ON THE INTERNET AND AM APPALLED AT HOW OFTEN THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE AND THE POTENTIAL FIRE RISK. THIS IS TOO COMMON, TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, AND SOUNDS AS IF A BETTER HEAD DESIGN COULD COMPLETELY ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE A FIRE KILLS SOMEONE. *TR