Ford Motor Company Engine Design Poor Spark Plug design costing possibly $1,300.00 to have Spark Plugs replaced All 50 States, Internet

A TSB has been released to deal with this issue.

This affects only 2004 - early 2008 F150's with 3V 5.4L engines.   Late 2008's and newer have a revised engine head design that eliminates this issue.

The cost to change the plugs on these models are only $200 - $250 more expensive than the 4.6L models.  Gotta pay to play.

For people with a 5.4L F150, it is recommended to change your plugs earlier than specified by the owner's manual to prevent the breaking issues.  Neglect or ignorance is not an excuse when it comes to vehicle ownership.

Also, when following the Ford issued TSB, most mechanics have had a great success rate of removing the plugs without or with very limited breakage.  The 95% broken figure is not only a gross exaggeration but also extremely misleading.

To Rebuttal author Mat P.,  You must have financial concerns with ford, possibly as a paid representative.  Otherwise, what happy customer visits a web site called, "RipoffReport" about a truck they own, or don't own, to defend Ford Motor Company?  And you insinuated the complainant was 'negligent' for not changing the plugs earlier than their 'owner's manual' told them to change them; "Neglect or ignorance is not an excuse when it comes to vehicle ownership."   Is not Ford negligent for allowing this to go on for so many years?  Is Ford not negligent for continuing to sell 2-piece Motorcraft (Autolite) spark plugs which Ford Knows will break off in the consumer's engines?  You also stated, "The cost to change the plugs on these models are only $200 - $250 more expensive than the 4.6L models.  Gotta pay to play."  With so many customers paying about $1200 for a spark plug
change,  do you think $950-$1000 is a reasonable price for a hard working customer to pay for what should be a simple spark plug change on a Working Man's truck?  Since those customers did not buy BMWs or Porsches, they shouldn't have to 'Pay to Play.'  Ford must be the wrong company for all of them.  And we all need to make sure that's the last $1200 spark plug change they'll ever need, when it comes time for their next truck.  No Ford loyalty ... no customer loyalty.  Now Ford has to pay to play ... dirty.

I hear thousand of complaints against Ford and their spark plugs ejecting or shooting out of the head.

It just happened to us last week. 72,000 miles with excellent maintenance records. 

Everyone complains and writes their complaints on the internet but that is it.

I say lets picket  all Ford Dealerships this Sunday May27th 2012. Please be a part of this event.

When Ford sees that they are losing sales, maybe they will do something about this spark plug problem. Picket Ford everyone Picket Ford Dealerships this Sunday. Please get on the internet and spread the word. Also, if anyone is willing to actually make a stand and picket Ford Dealerships this Sunday please email me at picketford@yahoo.com  just let me know which dealership you will be at and appprox how many people will be picketing with you. Everyone needs to do something about Ford. Come on guys don't make me do this alone. We could have a huge impact 

I was referred to this by someone posting it on a forum I frequent (f150online.com), my username is 06bluemeaniexl.  I am a proud F150 owner, but I did my research before purchasing and got a 2V 4.6L, to avoid this and other issues that plagued the new for 2004+ 3V 5.4L.

I wish I had a dollar for every time I visit that site and there is a a new member complaining about having to pay to have the spark plugs changed, and then when they break, having to pay extra.  Its the nature of the beast.  You pay for the time it takes to make the repair.

Here's the deal.  Ford has admitted that there was a design flaw, however, the likelihood of issues increase the longer you wait to have it done.  Ford has been recommending having the plugs changed early for this reason, and having a mechanic or professional follow the TSB to ensure that the job is done right, with as minimal issue / cost as possible.  Because this isn't a safety issue and won't likely affect the lifespan of the vehicle, Ford has very little responsibility to do anything anyways.

Shop around, get a few different opinions, don't settle for the first quote you get.

Furthermore,

The cost of labor is the cost of labor.  It is not free.  Due to the economy, and the severe drop in the value of the dollar, what used to cost a couple hundred bucks in the days of old are now approaching 1000+.  Just look at the price of gold, gas, or any other commodity.