This was posted by ff150fx4drvr on a different Ford forum


"Wish I knew about this sooner

Unfortunately I was unaware of this issue when I went in to have my plugs replaced at 90K miles on my 2004 fx4 at the dealer. The dealer broke all 8 plugs, and then informed me that they have not been able to change plugs on a single 2004 or 2005 in this mileage range without them breaking. Funny they didn't mention that before they broke mine off.

So the dealer says it is Ford's problem and they will not pay to replace the head. The dealers Ford rep said it was the dealer's problem, and they don't cover maintenance parts. Bottom line I was told I can pay $3700 to fix it, or pay $400 for work already done and have a tow truck pick up my vehicle.

Obviously I have no good options. Fighting in court would cost more than the repair, and they know it. I can assure you that once this is repaired I will be selling this truck and not buying Ford again. I understand that this defect could happen to any brand, but the way Ford and the dealer has treated me is horrible. I went in for an oil change, got talked into changing the plugs, and then will end up paying almost $4000 I don't have for the trouble.

I'm not sure what Ford and their dealers plan to do about this in the future. They sold alot of F150s in 2004 and 2005 and in a few years most of those will be coming in for plug changes. Do they just plan to pretend this problem doesn't exist and screw every customer?"


Down below is page 4 of the TSB that covers this defect. I suggest you get those 04-06 snappers that are still under warranty into your dealer asap for a plug change and don't forget to take a copy of this TSB just in case they start snapping off your plugs because it says you are covered under the standard "New Vehicle" warranty

 

Just curious, Did the dealer give you a "quote" of the work to be done beforehand? Did they give you a price beforhand for the work? After all, THEY broke the plugs doing the work. They should meet you half way if thats the case. Your truck WAS running before THEY snapped the plugs off

 

Just curious what is coverd by the $3700 estimate, new heads? The TSB supplies tool information to extract plugs when they break! You may want to consult an attorney on this since the TSB does kinda point that there is a problem, and how to remove them with minimizing breaking. You may be surprised the attorney may have a way to charge Ford or the dealership if found at fault, or he may feel a class action lawsuit is the way to go! Did your dealer consult the TSB? If he uses the tools and the instructions it should not require head replacement and at a lesser cost.

I would also contact your state consumer advocate and attorney general.
I would also send a letter to the CEO of Ford, certified and return receipt explaining your problem and informing him there is a TSB.

 

Hi, do the 4.6 engines also have problems with plugs snaping off in the heads or just the 5.4s.I have an 04 4.6 with only 19000klms (aprox 12000miles)and i have never removed the plugs..maybe it is a good idea while the truck is under warranty to have them replaced and antiseize put on the threads.what do you think?

 

The 5.4 3V engines are the only ones reporting the issue due to the extended plugs used in the aluminum heads.

 

Thanks for the reply .i feel a little better now.

 

Hi-

FYI
I realize this is a forum for F-150 trucks, but these 3-Valve heads are ALSO used on the 4.6 Engine in all '05-07 GT Mustangs AND all 4.6 V8 engines in the '06-07 Explorers, so this problem will be MUCH MORE widespread in the coming months & years! My opinion - Just terrible from Ford's stupidity!! This may be what puts them out of business someday. How could they even get to this point? Any ideas?

 

Just a reminder from the FTE Guidelines:

"You may not use this site to discuss or organize any legal action, including but not limited to class-actions."

No talk about lawyers or suing please.

-Matt

 

I hate to hear things like this happening. Did the dealer follow the TSB?

 

Fasterhorses,
Since the way your post is writen I am assuming that this didn't happen to you. Does you have any more info on the outcome of the situation??

 

Whether the victim in this case was told that the TSB was followed or not, I'm willing to bet that it wasn't. Also being that the fact that every plug was broken, there might have been some negligence on part of the technician who attempted this. Not to mention that at least where I live, at my local dealer all you mostly see is young punk loser type looking technicians. You never seem to find experienced hands that actually care, and have been wrenching for years. Something is going to have to give in the next couple years I say. With millions of these engines out there, and more being produced and driven everyday, it sounds like if Ford doesn't do something soon about this stupid yet serious design flaw, they might just end up in trouble. The simplest thing you would think, is to redesign the plugs.

 

Let me get this straight.

The customer goes to the dealer to have qualified work done. The customer drives the truck to said dealer.

Said dealer quotest the customer a price and a time when the work will be finished.

Technician employed by the dealer messes up promised qualified work for reasonable price.

Then dealer expects the customer to pay for the repair of the promised "qualified" work, because "there is a problem with the the heads" that the dealer should have known about before quoting a price on the work??

Sounds like a winning legal argument to me. Not necessarily a lawsuit, but certainly a winning out of court settlement on threat of a trial.

No sane lawyer would go into court facing an argument like that, because they know they would lose big.

Now, time and money invested in making that argument, would be another argument again, whether or not it would be worth it.

Keep in mind we are talking about a legal argument, not an actual organization of a lawsuit.

 

That sucks big time, I heard about this problem before I bought my 05 Lariat used with 26k on it. Soon as i got it I pulled all the plugs and put anti-seize generously on all of them. Dont see a need to replace them seeing how theyre 90k plugs.And no I'm not worried about the crush seal on the plugs just put a little extra torque on my 3/8ths ratchet to crush it a little more.I'm a 12yr Volvo tech and have pulled and re-installed plugs for diagnosing so if your inclined I would do it to all of your trucks. Have any of you priced those plugs? Theyre like $18.00 bucks a piece.Thats the most expensive plug I've seen besides some BMW plugs.



Todd

 

At 50,000 miles, I took my truck to Ford for them to change the plugs and 5 broke. The Ford rep was on site and them overnighted a tool to the dealer and stuck by their orginal quote for the tune up. I played dumb going in and after they told me the problem and my truck would need to spend the night with them, I told them that I new of this problem.

 

Ford should revise there maintainence schedule of the manual to include "remove and inspect(if you can ) sparkplugs" at the 25k schedule. I really wonder if a plug re-design is in the works. Any 2007 takers on pulling a plug from there engine to look?