I was driving my Ford F-150 (after a previous fix of the same problem I was about to experience), when my #3 spark plug blew out of the head unit. 2nd time happened, cost $2500 to fix. Now I want reimbursement for all repair work due to flawed engine design.

- Des Moines, IA, USA

was driving my 1999 Ford F-150 with 5.4 liter V-8 engine when I experienced a blown #3 spark plug driving under normal conditions on my way to a soccer game. Extended warranty company would not cover problem. Got it fixed with a helicoil for $400 and same #3 plug blew 4 months later. Got it fixed with a new head unit for $2500. Now I want Ford to reimburse me for flawed engine design.

- Des Moines, IA, USA

Slight tapping that of like a tapping valve for about a week prior to first incident. The second incident occurred with no warning that I noticed. Vehicle has now ejected two spark plugs. Spark plugs were not the original from the factory. The first one was on the passenger side, 3rd back. When it came out, it destroyed the coil over the plug as well. It was repaired using a heli-coil solid steel insert which worked ok, but has come back out when the sparkplug was removed. Local Ford dealer quoted $1450 for a single new head, not installed. The second time, it was the third back on the driver's side. This one killed the motor. I'm not sure exactly what happened yet, but along with the blown plug, I have water in my oil and the motor will no longer turn over, even with all plugs removed. I'll be buying a new motor now when I have the money. Meanwhile, my wife must sit at home with no vehicle and two young children until repairs are made.

- Palmer, AK, USA

I take good care of my pickup however it has broken down on me. It began with a small shutter. It felt like the pickup was having issues idling/accelerating. Only at low (5-10 mph) speeds did I feel the weakness/shutter. I had this issue for about 4 months, I just assumed it needed a tune up and was prepared to have one done soon. I was towing a trailer (started off fine) then at a stop sign felt that the engine was now shuttering/misfiring even more. Took the pickup to mechanic the next day and found that valve 4 was stuck open and had essentially melted its self open. This in turn caused the piston to get damaged and now I'm faced with replacing the heads or the entire engine. My pickup has 110,000 however (according to the mechanic) there have been other pickups have the same issue with as little as 80,000 miles. I have not been able to find a recall on what I've experienced.

- Lakewood, CO, USA

My F150 P.U. has a stress crack in the curve of the door by the window. The latch is not tight enough, so the door is hard to shut. My windshield wipers turn on by themselves, the odometer light goes on & off, the seat belts do not recoil & the "door ajar" light gets stuck, eventhough all doors are reshut. Engine sometimes runs rough eventhough has just had 60,000 mile check. The Ford dealership wants to charge me for new part to fix odometer light $300+plus labor, $58 for door part+labor. Haven't talked to them about "rough running", I'm sure they'll want more $$ to fix it too.

- Ukiah, CA, USA

While driving, the head gasket would leak oil. The mechanic repaired the problem once, but did not resolve the problem.

- La Habra, CA, USA

While driving at 65 mph, suddenly there was a popping noise, then the vehicle stalled. The spark plug had came out the engine cylinder head. This occurred because of a design flaw, there was insufficient tread to hold the spark plugs. The cylinder head was replaced.

- Phelan, CA, USA

The consumer took vehicle for service because of a ticking noise heard on vehicle. The dealership indicated that the ticking noise was coming from the catalytic converter, and the head gasket had blown. Which resulted in an oil leak into the exhaust manifold. The dealership replaced the catalytic converter and the head gasket; however, the ticking noise still exist after the repair was performed. Within 300 miles after the parts were replaced, the spark plug came out of the right side of the engine head which resulted in engine failure. The dealership refused to honor repair warranty and perform any further service on the vehicle.

- La Habra, CA, USA

Oil leak. I have a 1999 Ford F-150 with a 5.4 motor that leaks oil from the rigth head, this problem was fixed 03/29/00 at 9900 miles.it 42000 miles it started leaking again the dealer checked it out and said it was the same head gasket as before but because it was out of warranty I would have to pay for the repair. Ford said they wont. The dealer told me that Ford had changed to a differtent type of head gasket because of this problem but it was up to Ford to pay or not to pay for repairs.

- Lorain, OH, USA

Have a 1999 Ford F-150 with a 5.4 liter engine. #3 spark plug blew out and had to have a costly repair done by the mechanic pulling the head and placing an insert into the hole. Killed 2 birds with 1 stone because the passenger side head was leaking oil. This same spark plug had blown out two previous times. Finally decided that something was wrong. Have driven Ford all of my life. Not sure will purchase again.

- Monterey, TN, USA

Consumer complained about engine head gasket leaking oil.

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

1999 Ford F-150 head gasket leak, research reveals common factory defect. No assistance from Ford service bulletin from Ford says I may have to replace engine.

- Glenmoore, PA, USA

1999 Ford F150 blown head gasket right side can't afford to pay $4700 dollars to replace gasket & head. Ford knows they have a problem with the gasgets on the Triton motros but fail to take blame. This is a fire hazard when oil is leaking on the exhaust. Recall!! before someone gets hurt or killed.

- New Richmond, WI, USA

Head leaks oil on right side of motor had it fixed once and is now leaking again.

- Woodland Hills, CA, USA

I never abused my 99 Ford lightning in any way and @ 21000 miles it blew #3 spark plug out of the head. Ford finally agreed that if I would pay $817 for the deductible they would pay the rest. I don't think I should have had to pay anything since the head was defective from the factory.

- Rowlett, TX, USA

Head gasket blew and needed to be replaced. After spending lump sums of money the consumer was told that there is an defect in the deck surface of the engine block that allowed oil to leak out of the engine. The condition was not caused by the head gaskets. Due to the extent of damages to the engine a new one had to be purchased for over $5000. The consumer is asking Ford to help pay for repairs on the faulty automobile.

- Riverton, IL, USA

Right side head gasket on 5.4 V8 leaking again at 72,000 miles. Heads replaced once and gaskets replaced twice. Out of warranty now. We need a recall. Oil drips on hot exhaust and smokes, fire hazard.

- Cedarville, MI, USA

While driving 60 mph plug blew out of the cylinder, causing the vehicle to lose power.

- Forestdale, MA, USA

I had a spark plug blow out of the head on my truck. It is a 1999 Ford F-150, with a 5.4 liter Triton V-8 engine. I had never heard of this, until the mechanic at my local dealership said they had seen it before. Also at an earlier date the sheet metal on the drivers side door about three inches from the bottom of the window cracked. Its has cracked two more times since then. They (Ford Motor Co.) finally put a new door skin on, but a man who I know that runs a body shop said it's in the door itself and that a skin wouldn't prevent it from happening again. I'm just very disappointed in the products that are on the market anymore they lack quality and they don't last for near as long as they should.

- Center Point, IA, USA

While driving spark plug blew out of the cylinder head and a loud noise was heard. The noise startled the driver who lost control of the vehicle momentarily. The cylinder head was replaced.

- Winona, MN, USA