Add to your list of complaints of spark plug ejection from the aluminum head. This is a Ford Motor Company design flaw that they refuse to resolve. Total parts and labor to fix = $3,372.50.

- Ashland, MO, USA

On local street at about 25-30 mph. #2 sparkplug blew out from cylinder head. It sounded like a blown exhaust gasket. After arriving home have found that plug was blown out breaking the coil and exposing the eng to a possible fire from the arcing. This was original sparkplug installation.

- Algonquin, IL, USA

I was driving home in my 2002 Mercury Mountaineer on Monday evening in lyndhurst, NJ around the time of 7 pm. I heard a very loud bang, followed by some rattling which scared me half to death. I had no idea what has occurred. I was very nervous because I was unable to apply pressure to my break to stop without the truck idling very rough like it wanted to stall. The truck lost all power. I carefully proceeded to a local gas station in rutherford and dropped my car off for the machining to look at in the morning. I received a call the following morning from (the mechanic) who stated the #5 spark plug ripped out of my aluminum engine head. For a cost of $366 he re-threaded the spark plug, installed a new coil and did a tune-up. He told me this is a very common problem with certain V8 and V10 Ford engines. It can occur again, or the same plug may rip out again. This is a very dangerous situation especially when I have to go on two highways to get to work everyday. The sound was like I was being fired on by nato. Imagine losing power on the highway with people behind you at 65 mph. I looked on the internet and found many compliants by Ford customers who had the same thing happen several times, causing them to replace the engine. Ford does not want to take responsibilty, someone needs to make them replace these dangerous engines. Spark plugs just fire the engine, they are not supposed to shoot out of the engine like small rockets. What if my hood was open and this happened? someone could have goten killed. If this were a baby seat, crib or child toy it would be recalled. We can't wait till there is a death from this problem.

- East Rutherford, NJ, USA

2002 Mountaineer head valve broke. ***** the consumer agreed to a rebuilt engine and the work was completed on December 29, 2005. Twelve days after having the rebuild engine installed, it ceased while the consumer was driving. The consumer was told a hose clamp came loose.

- Oak Creek, WI, USA

The front end dash has a very loud rattle while letting up on the gas or depressing the brake the vehicle has been in the shop five times. They have readjusted the A/C lines many times, tightened items in the engine, and replaced a missing bolt in the firewall. It was fixed once that last a couple of months, but the noise is back. It will be going in the shop for the sixth time. Also, there is a squeak when going over bumps. It has been in the shop twice and they replaced the ball bearing joints. However, the squeak is back.

- Middletown, OH, USA

Engine head gasket keeps rupturing and spilling gas all over engine. Consumer is concerned about a fire starting.

- Clarense, NY, USA

Consumer was traveling about 70mph on a highway and smelled gasoline coming through air conditioner's vents. She was able to pull over to shoulders, and vehicle was leaking oil from underneath. Dealership was aware.

- Beaumont, TX, USA