We need to be practical with our responses.

The new F150 has only been out since about late 2003 or 2004 w/ the new 5.4L 3V. Spark plugs last 100,000 miles or longer, and I am guessing that until the last year or so, most people weren't hitting that 100,000+ mile where spark plugs actually start to fail (those that are doing 25-30,000 miles a year). Many people will not hit 100,000 miles for many more years.

So now we have more and more people having the issue, Ford has a better record and can now make the assessment "this is a common issue" and can (and did) make the changes to the latest run of the engines.

But, yes, you do need to educate yourself. At $100/hr, it shouldn't take 25 hours to remove spark plugs, even if it requires removing the heads.

 

True the latest design has not been out that long, but i bet they made a few prototypes that they tested a few miles before they came out with the new model. Anyone at Ford have problems changing plugs on those motors? I am quite sure they had to run the drivetrain thru a few miles of tests before they made it to production.

 

My brother has worked at a smaller dealership 4 months at a time every other four months (how school was setup) and nobody there has broken one while he was there.

I think it is a matter of everyone running on here whenever they break one as opposed to the average joe not caring when they are changed successfully.

 

Dude You are a freakin Whack Job! A simple plug change should not cost $2500.00 in this Lifetime or the next 5 Lifetimes on this planet!.......

 

Well its officail that that the electrode is stuck & the head has to be pulled off. The Ford dealer said that the engine has to be pulled in order to get the head off. The service man told me that they were going to go ahead with the repairs will get the truck done. Then he tells me its going to be $2,000 just to get the broken plug out plus the $229.00 for the plug change. I about passed out when he told me this and was speechless. Then he tells me well once the truck is done we can sit down and talk about payments for the repair. Now the battle begins boys!!

 

I think armed with the knowledge that 1) this has been determined to be an issue by Ford and resolved; and 2) Ford has partially paid for this repair in the past.... that you can have a regional service dude take a look at the situtation. Hopefully you can get Ford to cover 80% of the repair (I believe this is their cap they can offer). I have personally had Ford perform an after warranty repair covering 80% of the cost (and the dealer forgave the other 20%).

Good luck!

 

I'd get the Ford factory rep involved. Give Ford the opportunity to fix the issue. If they don't and you end up having to pay, I'd get active with a class action suit. There are LOTS of folks in the same boat as you and Ford needs to do the right thing. There are lots of good law firms just looking for issues like this. But give Ford the chance to fix it first.

 

They are blowin' smoke up your a$$!

 

Well I know that Ford is not going to cover the full bill, but I have already told the service advisor that I will pay for $700.00 which give or take is around 25% of the bill. He asked me what $ figure I would be willing to pay & at first I told him none. He told me that wouldn't happen & what figure I had in my mind. I told him that would cover the $229.00 for the labor for the plug change & another $430.00 towards the $2,000. He said he would go off of that & get with a Ford rep & let him know what I would be willing to pay and go from there.

 

truckncrew04 you are too generous. Those SOB should pony up and pay the bill. back out the regular fee for a plug change say around $250 and the rest is on them....This is just rediculous... Case after case of folks getting the shaft from Ford Motor Company and still no response. Maybe we should all get signs with the slogan "The spark plug king of crap" and drive around and see how many customers we can prevent from buying their new Ford....

 

I strongly suggest that you right away contact a consumer advocate reporter from one of your Big three Local news stations! They would absolutely love to cover a story like this! "Consumer takes his F-150 in for a normal tune up, dealer breaks spark plugs & wants consumer to flip the $2500.00 bill for repair!"............Dude your crazy if you do not contact your local consumer reporter! Where I am from they thrive on this type of stuff!........with great results all of the time!.............TV cameras stuck in peoples faces works miracles!............Good Luck!..........

 

But I have heard of the plugs flying out. Doesn't that happen with the motor running? Most motors running are going down the road. Any word of a recall for that specific issue?

 

If you took it in for a plug change , That's all you owe them for- the normal charge.. Tell them that's what your willing to pay and they'll just have to fight with Ford for the rest - It's all that much easier for the dealership if you agree to pay more. It's not your fault or the dealerships fault - It Ford's F^ck up. - When this sort of thing happens , FORD should step right up and make it right. There real a$$ - holes for doing this to people - There f^cking whoever they can for their mistakes.- pond scum low life's IMO, don't take that sh^t!!.

I can imagine how this started. - Ford doesn't make the plugs, but they spec em. Engineering heads works together Ford/Honeywell - Then they hit the bar after work and...FRICKEN POOF!!! - The 2 piece plug idea is concieved.

 

Seriously, this is outragous.

Did the search/work for you and.........

Call 313-322-3000, hit 1 for English, then hit 3 for Customer support.
Don't give in, keep calling until you get someone who will talk to you.
Ford Hdqrt's might help but my experience is, they will hand it down to
the Regional Manager's and then to the Individual State Dealership Reps (in your case Indiana).

I worked for a large Japanese Co. (not auto maker) and we primarly worked with the "Big 3" auto makers and their Tier 1 & 2 suppliers. Anytime I ran into garbage and couldn't get anywhere, I called Hdqrt's. You will find that they will want to help and at your request give you regional and local managers that have some pull.

Bottom line, you set up service appointment for plug change. Service should of been approx. $250.00. Dealer calls and states your plug maintenace charge is $2500.00. Give them the details, they will want to hear this from you.

Good Luck, I'm feeling really bad for you right about now.

Tjk

 

my 04 crew has 82k on it and i can tell ya i aint looken forward to this possible nitemare..but i sure in the heck gonna take down that info..thanks man