2004 Ford F-150 Engine

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD LOUD NOISE AND TRUCK CAME TO A STOP, PULLED OFF SAFELY TO SIDE OF THE ROAD FOUND OUT IT WAS MISFIRE IN CYLINDER 2. ONLY HAVE HAD TRUCK FOR 5 MONTHS NOW NEEDS A BRAND NEW ENGINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS AND COIL ASSEMBLERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE CAM SHAFT IN THE ENGINE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE THE CONTACT WAS DESCRIBING WAS NOT AUDIBLE TO THE TECHNICIANS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A CASE WAS FILED (CLAIM NUMBER: CAS2248284-V1Y9N4). THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,366 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD CLICKING NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED AND COULD BE HEARD WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE NOISE WOULD INCREASE AS THE SPEED WAS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND HAD JUST PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THE SUDDEN SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. WHEN I GOT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THE SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE HEAD AND THE COIL PACK WAS DAMAGED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD THAT FORD DECIDED TO USE ONLY HAD THREE THREADS TO HOLD THE SPARK PLUG IN PLACE AND THAT THE PLUGS SEEMED TO BLOW OUT OF 1997-2004 MODELS. THEY COULD USE A HELICOIL TO REPAIR THE THREADS BUT THEY COULDN'T MAKE ANY GUARANTEES ABOUT THE REPAIR. AFTER I HAD IT REPAIRED I DISCOVERED THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE OF SPARK PLUGS BEING BLOWN OUT OF THE HEADS AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVING TO REPLACE THE HEADS ON THEIR VEHICLES. I SPOKE TO A BUDDY OF MINE IN TOPEKA WHO TOLD ME OF HIS NEIGHBOR WHO JUST BOUGHT A USED 2004 MODEL FORD TRUCK AND HAD AN ENGINE FIRE BECAUSE OF THIS SAME ISSUE. I GOT LUCKY WITH THE COST OF THIS REPAIR BUT BECAUSE OF THE POOR CONSTRUCTION DESIGN OF THIS HEAD, THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY OF COURTESY COVERAGE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE SERIOUSLY LOOKED AT AS A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL OF A FIRE HAZARD AND A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF SOMEONE IS LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THIS OCCURS, THEY CAN BE SERIOUSLY HURT BY FLYING DEBRIS. *TR

THE SPARK PLUGS ON THE 5.4L 3 VALVE TRITON V8 ARE HIGHLY COMMON TO BREAK WHILE TRYING TO BACK THEM OUT AND REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT IS IT COSTING CUSTOMERS OVER $1,000.00 JUST TO CHANGE SPARK PLUGS BECAUSE IF THEY BREAK OFF, THE HEAD HAS TO COME OFF SOME TIMES TO EXTRACT THE REMAINDER OF THE BROKEN PLUG. FORD HAS REFUSED TO FIX THEIR SCREW UP AND HAS STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS THE NHTSA MANDATES THAT THEY FIX THE PROBLEM. I SPOKE WITH A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND HE STATED THAT AT A BARE MINIMUM FOR A SPARK PLUG CHANGE ON MY TRUCK IS $700.00 DUE TO THE ISSUE AND THAT MOST SHOPS WONT EVEN TOUCH THEM. FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAW AND SAVE THEIR CUSTOMERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR BILLS FOR A NORMAL $150.00 JOB. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE NOTICED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE WHILE ACCELERATING AND A HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SPARK PLUGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE SPARK PLUGS BUT ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS WAS STUCK IN THE HEAD GASKET AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED; HOWEVER, THE HEAD GASKET WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN EARLIER THAT MORNING. WHILE PARKED IN THE REAR OF THE HOME THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE MOTOR AREA. IT STARTED ABOUT 20 MIN AFTER BEING PARKED. THERE WAS ALSO DAMAGE TO THE HOUSE. NOT SURE THE CAUSE AND THANKFUL FOR NO INJURIES. *TR

DRIVING 55 ON FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 6 MINUTES WHEN THE SPARK PLUG EJECTED OUT OF THE HEAD. PULLED OVER HAD TOWED. ONLY 72,000 MILES WITH PERFECT MAINTENANCE RECORDS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE IN MOTOR CAUSED BY POOR ENGINE DESIGN AND OVERLY HIGH RATE OF FAILURE OF CAM PHASER(VCT)... *TR

DROP IN SPEED CAUSED BY ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED BY CAM PHASER OR VCT VALVE. WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT THE TIME. *TR

I EXPERIENCE A BLOWN SPARK PLUG AT A COST OF $798.00 TO REPAIR. IT SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING VERY POPULAR WITH THE LARGER ENGINES. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. NO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WILL DO THE WORK, THEY SEND THEM ALL TO THE DEALERSHIPS, WHERE AS WE KNOW THE PRICE INFLATES. FROM ALL THE MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH, THE GENERAL CONSENSUS IS THAT IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

SINCE APPROXIMATELY 120,000 MILES, THIS VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SPARK PLUG FAILURE AT A RATE OF ABOUT TWO EACH 5,000 MILES. PRIOR TO THIS PERIOD, THE VEHICLE HAD NO HISTORY OF SPARK PLUG FAILURE. THE PLUGS WERE CHANGED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED SERVICE SCHEDULE AROUND 101,000 MILES. BETWEEN 120,000 AND 142,000 MILES, EIGHT SPARK PLUGS AND TWO COILS FAILED DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. AN ADDITIONAL TUNEUP AND COMPLETE SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT WAS PERFORMED AT 142,000 MILES AFTER TWO FAILED DURING NORMAL FREEWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS. ANOTHER SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT AND WAS REPLACED AT 148,000 MILES. IN ADDITION TO SPARK PLUG FAILURE, SEVERAL OF THESE PLUGS HAVE BROKEN WHILE BEING EXTRACTED, CAUSING NEEDLESSLY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEFT AND LOWER CAM SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED SINCE THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SUGGESTED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT BE A DIRECT RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO FILED A REPORT AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 1/15/13 *CN UPDATED 1/24/2013*JS

I PURCHASED THE TRUCK USED WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 86,782 MILES. I WAS NOT TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SPARKPLUGS OR THAT THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE SPARKPLUGS BREAKING. I ASSUMED THAT IF THERE WAS ANY ISSUE OF THIS NATURE THE DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE TO DISCLOSE THIS PROBLEM ON THE PURCHASING AGREEMENT. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK DUE TO THE WINDOW MOTOR SEIZING/BREAKING. I PAID FOR THE SERVICE TO REPAIR THAT ISSUE, WHICH IS ANOTHER PROBLEM AS WELL. DURING THAT VISIT I WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE SPARK PLUG PROBLEM, WHICH FORD HAS ISSUED A TSB REPORT ABOUT. THE PLUGS BECOME FUSED TO THE ENGINE BLOCK AT 100,000 MILES, AND I AM NOW AT 105,000 AND JUST FINDING OUT ABOUT THIS! THE PROBLEM THAT I AM EXPERIENCING IS THAT THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE AN ABSORBENT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS, AND IF ANY BREAK, ITS AN EXTRA $100 TO REMOVE EACH BROKEN PLUG. THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE AN ADDITIONAL $800 EXTRA TO CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY LUDICROUS FOR FORD TO CHARGE AN OWNER FOR SUCH A TASK! ALSO IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM OBVIOUSLY KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND NEGLECTED TO INFORM ME IN ANY FASHION. I AM CONSIDERING TAKING LEGAL ACTION AS I BELIEVE THE DEALER SHOULD BE LIABLE TO COVER THE COST OF THIS TASK, AS THEY DID NOT DISCLOSE THESE PROBLEMS THAT ACCORDING TO THE DEALER HAD TO BE ADDRESSED WITHIN 10,000 ADDITIONAL MILES. THAT IS A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF MILES TO DRIVE FOR SUCH A MAJOR EXPENDITURE. I DO BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY A TYPICAL FEE FOR PARTS AND SERVICE TO REPLACE THE SPARKPLUGS AS THEY ARE A MAINTENANCE ITEM. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT IF THE DEALER HAS ANY PROBLEM CHANGING THE SPARKPLUGS, IT SHOULD REST ON THEIR SHOULDERS TO COVER THOSE COSTS. *KB

2 1/2 YEARS AGO MY HUSBAND PURCHASED A USED 2004 F-150 FX4 WITH THE 5.4 TRITAN ENGINE (WITH A 5 FOR THE 8TH DIGIT IN THE VIN) ALONG WITH A 2 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY (THAT COVERED THE ENGINE AMONG OTHER THINGS), FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP. IT HAD JUST UNDER 50,000 MILES. OVER TIME, WE HAD THE SUGGESTED OIL CHANGES, PUT NEW TIRES ON, NEW BATTERY AND HAD THE SPARK PLUGS CHANGED. THE PROBLEM I AM MOST UPSET ABOUT IS THE ??TICKING?? SOUND I HEARD THE DAY MY HUSBAND BROUGHT THE TRUCK HOME. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT IT HE SAID HE ALREADY ASKED THE DEALERSHIP WHAT THE SOUND WAS AND THEY SAID IT WAS JUST HOW ??THIS ENGINE SOUNDS??. IT WAS SUCH A STRANGE SOUND, WE ASKED TWO OTHER FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THE SAME THING, BUT THEY NEVER LOOKED INTO IT. ONE MORNING IN OCTOBER, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING SEVERELY. IT WAS SO BAD HE HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. IF IT WASN'T ON A BACK ROAD, WE KNOW HE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. WE TOOK IT TO COURT STREET FORD AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON IT. THEY RECEIVED A CODE OF 340, BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE FORD DEALERSHIP BROUGHT FORD ENGINEERS IN TO HELP IDENTIFY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. PER THE ENGINEERS?? SUGGESTION, THE MECHANIC WOULD ASK FOR PERMISSION TO RUN A TEST. EACH TIME, WE WERE TOLD, THIS TEST WILL TELL US IF IT IS THIS REPAIR OR THAT. AFTER 2 WEEKS AND ALMOST $700 IN TESTS, IMAGINE OUR SURPRISE AT THE FINAL DIAGNOSIS "CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE" DUE TO CLOGGED OIL PASSAGES. NOW WE FIND THAT THIS PARTICULAR SOUND IS A SYMPTOM FOR THIS ENGINE THAT HAS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND EVEN HAS A TSB FOR IT (06-19-08). THIS TSB REPLACES PARTS THAT WOULD PREVENT THIS PROBLEM, BUT WAS NEVER PART OF A RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEEDS OF 45 MPH, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT A SPARK PLUG AND COIL PACK DETACHED FROM THEIR CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG AND COIL PACK, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,266.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY F150 WITH A 5.4 TRITON MOTOR. THE TRUCK HAS SOME VALVE TRAIN NOISE THAT I FEAR WILL GET WORSE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. I FOUND THAT FORD ISSUED TWO DIFFERENT TSB'S RELATED TO THIS VERY PROBLEM WHICH ADVISED THEIR TECHNICIANS OF THE PROBLEM AND HOW TO FIX IT DOWN TO THE PARTS REQUIRED. IT WAS SUCH A PROBLEM THAT FORD UPDATED THE PARTS TO BE REPLACED IN MAY 2005 ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE TSB ISSUED BY FORD. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF VALVE TRAIN NOISE AT 75000 MILES. I FEEL FORD ONLY TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR THOSE THAT COMPLAINED UNDER WARRANTY AND FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX AN ENGINE PROBLEM THEY KNEW HAD FAULTY PARTS AND IS EVIDENT BY THEIR TSB RELEASES. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD, BUT MY COMPLAINT HAS FALLEN ON DEAF EARS. THEY WANT ME TO SINK $1500-$2000 INTO A FIX THAT I FEEL THEY KNEW ABOUT BUT CHOSE TO IGNORE. FORD SHOULD, INSTEAD, RECALL THE TRUCKS ON THE ROAD WITH THIS ENGINE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND A TUNE-UP. SIX OF THE EIGHT SPARK PLUGS THAT WERE BEING REPLACED FRACTURED DURING THE REPAIR. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON IN THE PARTICULAR MODEL BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THAT THE SPARKS PLUG BE REPLACED EVERY 100,000 MILES BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT SPARK PLUGS SHOULD NEVER BE IN A VEHICLE FOR THAT LONG OF A PERIOD BEFORE BEING REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 01/25//12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY AN AUTO MECHANIC, NOT THE DEALER, BECAUSE THEIR PRICE WAS EXCESSIVE.UPDATED 04/18/12

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO RECOMMENDED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SPARK PLUGS MAY POSSIBLY FRACTURE WHEN BEING REMOVED FROM THE ENGINE WHICH WOULD RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL REPAIR COST FOR THE REMOVAL PROCESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TRUCK BLEW OUT PLUGS FROM # 3 AT 50 MPH TRUCK SHUT OFF,I GOT A H COIL GOT IT PUT IN,IT BLEW IT OUT I DONE THAT 4 MORE TIMES,THEN GOT REPAIR KIT FROM FORD PUT IN IT DIDN'T STAY IN 1300 MILES AND BLEW OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHILE IN MOTION. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM-PHASERS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

ON THE HIGHWAY, AS I HIT 40 MPH, THE ENGINE DIDN'T UPSHIFT AND DISENGAGED WITH THE DRIVETRAIN. WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE WHEELS. AFTER A COUPLE OF FAILED ATTEMPTS OF SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO DRIVE (WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY), I TURNED THE OVERDRIVE FUNCTION OFF AND THE ENGINE ENGAGED WITH THE DRIVETRAIN AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SAFELY. TODAY, THE SAME PROBLEM IS HAPPENING. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY CAN'T GET ME INTO THE SHOP FOR A WEEK DUE TO A HIGH VOLUME (THEIR WORDS TO ME) OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB INDICATING THE SAME PROBLEM BY OTHER OWNERS. I'M NOT SURE IF THEY ARE FILING A COMPLAINT, BUT IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A LARGER ISSUE POTENTIALLY DUE TO POOR QUALITY PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

THE ENGINE HAS EJECTED A SPARK PLUG TWICE IN TWO MONTHS. *TT