NHTSA Complaint #10281641 — 2002 FORD F-250 SD

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY (5.4L V-8) I EXPERIENCED A POPPING SOUND FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHICH INCREASED IN VOLUME VERY QUICKLY. I PULLED OVER (ON A BUSY HIGHWAY) AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE I LEARNED THAT A SPARK PLUG HAD BEEN EJECTED. THE REPAIR, WHICH WAS ABOUT THE MOST MINIMAL THAT COULD BE DONE, COST ME OVER $600.00, WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. MY INTERNET RESEARCH ON THIS INDICATES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF THESE INCIDENTS INVOLVING FORD ENGINES. FORD CLEARLY KNOWS ABOUT THIS, BUT DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT, DOES NOT ASSIST WITH THE COSTS, AND WILL NOT RECALL THE ENGINES. THIS IS NOT JUST A VERY COSTLY INCONVENIENCE - IT IS A CLEAR-CUT SAFETY ISSUE THAT STRANDS VEHICLES ON BUSY HIGHWAYS AND HAS RESULTED IN NUMEROUS FIRES. *TR