NHTSA Complaint #10268275 — 1999 FORD F-250 SD

UPON STARTING MY 1999 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY, WITH THE 5.4 TRITON ENGINE, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND POPPED THE HOOD. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. EXTINGUISHED FIRE WITH GARDEN HOSE, AND FOUND THE 3RD SPARK PLUG FROM THE FRONT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD, DRIVING THE IGNITION COIL INTO THE FUEL RAIL REPEATEDLY. THE FUEL RAIL RUPTURED, AND THE GASOLINE IGNITED. LESS THAN 12 MONTHS AFTER REPAIRING THE TRUCK, THE 2ND SPARK PLUG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS EJECTED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD EXACTLY AS BEFORE, BUT WITHOUT A FIRE THIS TIME. FROM MY RESEARCH ONLINE, I HAVE FOUND FAR TOO MANY VEHICLES WITH THE 5.4 TRITON ENGINE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED, AND I AM TOTALLY APPALLED AND DISGUSTED THAT SUCH AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW IS ALLOWED TO REMAIN IMMUNE TO ANY FORM OF ACCOUNTABILITY. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD HANG IT'S HEAD IN SHAME, AS WELL AS ANY/EVERY ONE WHO TURNS A BLIND EYE IN THIS MATTER. *TR