NHTSA Complaint #10340439 — 2005 FORD F-150

IN THE 2005 FORD F-150 WITH THE 5.4 LITER 3 VALVE THERE IS A DEFECT PERTAINING TO THE SPARK PLUGS. IN THE EVENT THAT YOU TRY TO REMOVE THE SPARK PLUGS THEY TEND TO BREAK OFF IN THE HEAD POSSIBLY DAMAGING THE THREADS OF THE SPARK PLUG HOLE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, FORD IS CHARGING AN OUTSTANDING AMOUNT OF MONEY TO REPAIR IT. THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND DOESN'T JUST AFFECT THE 2005 MODEL. IT IS A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT COSTING PEOPLE A LOT OF MONEY THAT I THINK SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE MANUFACTURES PLATE. IT IS ALMOST AS IF THEY DESIGNED THIS PROBLEM ON PURPOSE TO MAKE PEOPLE HAVE TO BRING IT TO THEIR REPAIR SHOP AND HAVE IT FIXED REGARDLESS OF THE PRICE. I HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS AND I THINK IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE CUSTOMERS ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE WAY FORD HAS HANDLED THE ISSUE. SPARK PLUGS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE PART OF PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE BUT THIS IS SICKENING HOW THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH CHARGING THAT MUCH FOR A SMALL PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL FORD HAD SOLD SO MANY OF THEM THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY TAKE THEM YEARS TO CORRECT EVERY ONE. IT IS PRETTY MUCH GUARANTEED THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BREAK OFF AT LEAST ONE OF YOUR PLUGS WHILE TRYING TO DO THIS SMALL TASK. AS FAR AS I KNOW THE ONLY THING DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WAS THEY INVENTED A TOOL THAT WILL REMOVED THE BROKEN PART OF THE SPARK PLUG IN THE HEAD, BUT IF THE THREADS GET MESSED UP IN THE PROCESS THAT'S WHEN IT BEGINS TO START COSTING BIG BUCKS AND IT IS TOTALLY THE MANUFACTURES FAULT TO BEGIN WITH. PLEASE TAKE THIS REQUEST FOR A RECALL SERIOUSLY AS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO FEELS THIS WAY, JUST LOOK ONLINE. *TR