NHTSA Complaint #10239891 — 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT

MY 2000 MUSTANG GT, WITH THE 4.6 ENGINE AND WITH 80,000 MILES, EXPERIENCED A BLOWN OUT A SPARK PLUG WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. JUST THE SOUND OF THIS (A BIG "BANG!" WHEN THE PLUG HITS THE INSIDE OF THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE NOW MISFIRING, RUNNING ON 7 CYLINDERS) IS ENOUGH TO DISTRACT THE BEST DRIVER AND ALONG WITH THE LOST OF POWER IS AN ACCIDENT JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. AFTER BEING ALMOST REAR ENDED, FORTUNATELY THERE WAS A PARKING LOT NEARBY THAT MY CAR BARELY COASTED TO. THE PLUG CAME COMPLETELY OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD AND WAS LAYING ON THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE WITH THE COIL STILL ATTACHED. I UNDERSTAND FROM FORD, THERE IS ONLY 3 TO 4 THREADS, IN THE CYLINDER HEAD, THAT HOLD THE SPARK PLUG IN. AS ANYONE WITH ANY ENGINEERING OR ENGINE KNOWLEDGE WOULD KNOW, 3 - 4 THREADS ARE NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO SECURE A SPARK PLUG IN A CYLINDER HEAD WITH THE COMPRESSION PRESSURE OF THE PISTON. THIS IS CLEARLY A ENGINEERING DEFECT THAT COULD HAVE DISASTROUS EFFECTS IF MY CAR WAS UNABLE TO MOVE OFF THE HIGHWAY. THIS TIME LUCK PLAYED INTO IT (WITH A PARKING LOT NEARBY), BUT WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT TIME? AM I SUPPOSE TO STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND TAKE MY CHANCES? A PLUG BLOWS OUT AND THERE ISN'T ANYWHERE TO PARK AND/OR THE PLUG ALSO TAKES OUT THE FUEL RAIL RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE FIRE. AS I STATED ABOVE: AN ACCIDENT JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I'VE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD V8 ENGINES MADE FROM 1997-98 TO 2003. I'M REALLY CONFUSED AS TO WHY THERE HASN'T ALREADY BEEN A RECALL INVOLVING THESE ENGINES. IF I MAKE A MISTAKE, I'M HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT MISTAKE. WHY SHOULDN'T FORD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FAILURES THAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH? THE NHTSA SHOULD IMMEDIATELY ISSUE A RECALL INVOLVING THESE FORD ENGINES. ANY NHTSA ACTION SHORT OF A RECALL IS JUST PLAIN IRRESPONSIBLE. THE NHTSA IS A GOVERNMENT AGENCY CHARGED WITH PROTECTING THE PUBLIC. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS FORD ENGINE DEFECT. THE AMERICAN PUBLIC DESERVES NOTHING LESS. *TR