8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,150
Average Mileage:
105,700 miles
Total Complaints:
28 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. change design of spark plugs/5.4 engine (12 reports)
  2. not sure (9 reports)
  3. change design of plugs (6 reports)
  4. repair plug threads, replace plugs (1 reports)
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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #8

Mar 032011

F-150 Lariat 5.4L Tritan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

We had to be without our truck for over a week just to have these blasted plugs removed...they had to soak them and then they told us they ALWAYS break...put in a new kind. Starting to wonder about our selection of this vehicle ...pretty and comfy but seems like several problems

- Marla B., Portland, IN, US

problem #7

Jun 172011

F-150 King Ranch 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,995 miles

Saw article in paper about Ford 150s and spark plugs....went to dealer......quoted $400 just to change plugs (not including parts) but if they break, $135 a cylinder to retrieve broken parts....took truck to independent mechanic....all 8 plugs broke off at 67k miles...

went to a site about a Class Action Law Suit....filled out info about being notified when case is finished....was told to keep all paperwork from recent install of new plugs

Ford Manual says 100k change plugs.....not 67k.......$700 to change plugs?.....I was lucky that the plugs did not fuse in head.....Ford needs to step up and do the right thing.....make it a RECALL.

- Kraig B., Dayton, OH, US

problem #6

Feb 182011

F-150 FX4 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

Who builds the best selling truck in America that costs over $1200, yes one thousand two hundred dollars, to have 8 spark plugs replaced? FORD-F150 Yes that's correct.......bad part is they don't have the guts to stand behind their bad design and notify their customers or have the ethical business courtesy to offset the cost or recall them. Ford, congratulations on lossing a formerly loyal Ford customer. This goes down as the greatest rip off I have ever been associated with, instead of $100 for plugs and do it yourself it is "gouge my eyes out" and pay the price!

- T H., Temperance, MI, US

problem #5

Dec 262010

F-150 XLT 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

WTF?!!!! Why would Ford create such a monster? They really need to step up and recall this issue. it is costing anywhere from $200 to $3000 to put new spark plugs in. That is insane! Our truck is currently sitting in the garage with a broken plug in it awaiting some miracle tool that we had to order to retrieve the broken part and to try and get the rest out. We have owned 4 brand new Ford vehicles in the last 24 years and we are done! We applauded Ford for not taking the bail out but if they can't or won't live up to their motto Quality is job one then they might as well let the gov't take control. Cause I truly don't think they (gov't) can do much worse.

- fordbiteme, North Branch, MN, US

problem #4

Dec 042010

F-150 FX4 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

click to see larger images

spark plugs break when changing

Horrible horrible horrible design. I love my truck, but come on guys! How is Ford not held responsible for this? Not only do they break when changing, others have had them blow out of the cylinder because of the design! YIKES!!

I followed the TSB to the T. I also searched numerous websites and forums for tips. Even though I was as careful as I have ever been at doing anything in my life, I broke 7 of the 8 plugs. Researched the tools used to remove and found the Rotunda tool designed for Ford. Damn near cost as much as my mortgage payment! Found another made by Lisle. Bought it on Ebay for about $70. Worked like a charm.

TIPS: Not in any specific order with the exception of 1,2 and 3 1) Buy the Lisle 65600 ahead of time so you don't have to wait for it to be shipped 2) Run a full tank of gas with carbon deposit treatment through your engine before hand 3) Dont use PB blaster as the "carbon deposit loosening liquid" described in the TSB. Buy the Motorcraft brand they mention. The engine did not like burning PB blaster....oops 4) Do not follow the 1/4 turn step in the TSB, go about 1/8 of a turn, spray the motorcraft cleaner in the bottom of the plug hole and give it an hour, go another 1/8 turn and spray a little more and give it a few hours to soak. Then very easily turn those plugs using a torque wrench as mentioned in the TSB. If you surpass the torque and the plug doesn't turn, let it soak longer. If you feel a brittle cracking through the wrench like crushing glass, you have already broken it. Go ahead and keep cranking. You now need the tool. 5) Follow the TSB (except for my note in 4) 6) Buy the newly designed Motorcraft plugs. This truck is made for these plugs and you run the chance of having constant codes popping up if you go with another manufacturer. 7) Use anti seaze when you reinstall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Coat the hell out of the cylindrical metal piece below the threads. This is what "welds" itself in place from carbon deposits. 8) Use a torque wrench to reinstall plugs. Too tight and you could strip the threads, not tight enough and you will have some horrible fuel economy and the smell of gasoline in the cab every time you start the truck. Found that out the hard way. My 4 year old was not happy about the smell in the morning. 9) Don't pay Ford to do it, it is a pain in the ass to do this job but why pay them extra to fix something they screwed up. They will charge you extra for every plug they break on top of the $400-$700 initial charge. If you have all of the tools on hand you are only out the cost of the plugs (about $8/plug), anti seize grease ($2), carbon deposit fuel treatment ($8), Motorcraft cleaning stuff ($10), Lisle 65600 tool ($70) = $154 + tax Savings: $500-$800 and you don't have to leave your truck for a week! 10) Set aside an entire weekend. When you take components off to access (fuel rail for instance) inspect the o-rings and replace if needed. Lubricate (with the appropriate lube) the o-rings before reinstalling removed components. You might as well go ahead and order a set of fuel injector o-rings before you begin. Another $20 or so isnt going to break the bank. 11) Take your time, buy the removal tool, be patient and buy a 30 pack ahead of time.

Have fun!

- kdublya, Tulsa, OK, US

problem #3

Sep 242010

F-150 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 208,000 miles

I saved up my $600 that I was told would tune up my truck. All the plugs were difficult to remove, the cab had to be lifted off of the chassis to get to the back plug to use a special tool to get it out. I have been out a truck for a week and it will not be ready until at least Oct 5Th with an estimated bill of $3000.00 "APPROXIMATELY"

Ford should have recalled these plugs long ago. This is F^*#@ing america and Ford is Screwing it's customers and not acting on it. 33 years in a row #1 best selling truck.. BULLSHIT ! I'm dumping this truck and buying a Tundra !! Sumbitches !! There ya go.

- sfsnailman, Mechanicsville, VA, US

problem #2

Sep 012009

F-150 FX4 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

I bought my 2year old vehicle used so that I could finally have something reliable. I have been a ford person for over 20 years. I recently had lost my employment and fell desperately behind on my bills. I finally got a new job and coming home the first day from work the truck lost power, started to spit and sputter and the exhaust was blowing out black smoke. I had thought I had gotten bad gas. I tried putting in the product to get rid of water in the gas and this did not help. I then took it in to have a diagnostic test done and they stated that my number 5 & 6 plugs were fouled out.

I thought great! no big deal to change a plug. WRONG! the first plug attempted broke off. We tried everything. Our local mechanic stated that he would not take on the job because there has been numerous complaints and it takes a special took and a lot of patience to get the remainder of the plug out.

Meanwhile, I have been going to work be it feat, friend, neighbor co-worker. It would be nice if Ford gave a helping hand for their poor design. Heck, IF I had known prior to attempting the simple job myself that there was such an issue I would have taken it to a dealership and had them do it "SOMEHOW" .

Utterly ridiculous! I also cannot believe that there is only 1 complaint listed on this issue since I have found out from experts dealing with this that the problem is with this engine model years 2004-2008!

STEP UP FORD AND CLEAN UP YOUR MESS, I MAY JUST HAVE TO COME DOWN THERE AND SMACK YOU ON THE NOSE WITH A NEWS PAPER!

NO LONGER A FAITHFUL FORD LOVER

- sues, Bellevue, MI, US

problem #1

May 272009

F-150 FX4 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,638 miles

Ford dealer recommended not waiting to 100k miles to change spark plugs due to potential for them to get stuck and break when being changed. Dealer wanted $700 to change spark plugs due to time involved to remove the two plugs against the firewall.

Took truck to independent garage who had not had significant problems with 5.4 spark plug removal. However, they had three plugs break due to the two-piece design of the spark plug, and the bottom part breaking off the top part of the spark plugs. Showed me how all three plugs came apart, with the plugs from the vehicle.

Garage had to fish out the bottom part of the spark plugs, to keep them from dropping into the cylinders. $400 of additional labor. Total cost of changing 8 spark plugs $938.27.

- Roger R., Murfreesboro, TN, US