9.5
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$984.00
Average Mileage:
79,723 miles
Total Complaints:
11 complaints
Most common solutions:
- take it to the dealer to fix (7 reports)
- not sure (3 reports)
- remove with specialty tool (1 reports)
engine problem
Helpful Websites About 2004 Ford F-150 spark plugs break off in head
2009Sep 28
F-150 5.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 77,655 miles
Vehicle engine light came on so took it to Auto Zone for free diagnostic. They told me it was 7 an 8 spark was not working. I took truck to dealership and told them and they said that is a generic diagnosis and they would have to put it on their machine and charge me 109.90 to find out the trouble. They told me it was 7 and 8 also.
Was told that they would fix it but the spark plugs sometimes break off and if they do
I would have to pay 100.00 per spark plug that broke plus labor and parts.
Took truck in at 6:50 am for appt at 7 am. Did not even look at truck until 8:45 am and told me that it would be awhile. They may have to soak plugs to make it easier to get out. Kid that worked on vehicle was working on other cars in between mine and talking to co-worker for about 45 minutes. Well both plugs broke (imagine that) so I had to pay 200.00. I left dealership at 1pm and went back to get it at 4:30 pm. The cost for labor was 649.62. parts 223.16, shop supplies 43.17 and tax 13.32.
I asked why so much for labor when the kid did not work on it the whole time and I was told the labor is added into each job of approximation.
What a rip off. So where in the paperwork does it show that 200.00 nowhere.
I will never take my vehicle to Beach Ford in Virginia Beach Va again. I will never buy a Ford either and I was always a Ford person.
2009Sep 01
F-150 Lariat 5.4L 3v
- Automatic transmission
- 49,000 miles
Brought the truck to the dealership for $100 diagnosis for 3 times for serious shift delay and loud popping sound. Finally was told by a different dealership that the problem was 3 sparkplugs that were not running at fill power. Vehicle is under premium extended warranty at only 49,000 miles, but plugs are not covered. Therefore $300 worth of diagnostics is no covered.
Went back to check on status of vehicle today, a week later, only to find that all 8 plugs broke off ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
I have a free rental during the repair, but the cost is still approaching $850.00 Thats with the small discounts I am getting because my friend works in the parts department!
On top of all that, I called the ford customer service line only to be told that they would work with the dealer to reduce my price. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND A LOAD OF CRAP THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS!
On a side note, the spark plugs have been redesigned by ford since my truck was built
(part number now has a 14 in it)
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jul 03
F-150 XLT 5.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 93,000 miles
THIS IS JUST PURE BS!!!! FORD KNOWS THAT THIS PROBLEM EXIST BUT REFUSE TO PAY WHEN IT HAPPENS. IT IS LIKE IF I TOOK VEHICLE IN TO CHANGE OIL AND THEY BROKE WINDSHIELD, THEY WOULD HAVE TO FIX WINDSHIELD. SO WHY WOULD THEY NOT PAY TO FIX BROKEN PLUGS. I LIKE MY TRUCK BUT THIS IS BULLSHIT
2009Jun 11
F-150 5.4L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 101,000 miles
I took my ford f-150 to the shop to have the spark plugs changed because ford made it that you can't change the plugs yourself. So I called the shop to get a quote. They gave me a quote of $288.00, as long as the plugs don't break. They told me that the plugs are known to brake off in the head, but ford made a tool to get them out if they would brake. So I took the truck in on June 11, 2009. They called that day to tell me that 6 of the 8 plugs broke, that they would need the truck until Monday to get them out. So on Tuesday they call to tell me that they can't get one plug out that they have to pull the head off. Now my bill is $2,500. Today is June 17,2009 and I still don't have my truck. I called Ford to complain, but got no satisfaction. It's all about screwing the little man. Thanks Ford.
2009Apr 30
F-150 Lariat 5.4L Triton V8
- Automatic transmission
- 82,000 miles
Yes, it's me again. I was doing some routine maintenance to save myself some problems down the road. I changed my plugs on one side with no problem. Then I went to the "easy" side where you could actually see the plugs. I proceeded to break off two plugs using normal pressure. I am a proficient do-it-yourself kind of guy who has done similar work many times with equipment on the farm. As I started researching this problem, I became enraged that this problem even existed. Now, I had to have my truck towed for $100 to the dealership and paid $669.91 to have the two broken plugs removed. I had considered buying the special tool ($250) for this special motor for this special problem; however, others reported the tool to be cheap and less than able to perform it's job. As I said in my post on the drivetrain section, that Toyota is looking mighty nice.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Mar 01
F-150 Lariat 5.4L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 72,300 miles
Was just doing my first tune up on my truck, but has turned into a huge pain in the butt. I was able to get the first two plugs replaced when loe and behold the third one was broke off. Decided screw it I wasn't going to break off any more and quit. I dont think that i caused the plug to break, since mileage was starting to suffer some already. Hopefully someone will know if the ford folks will take care of this piece of junk, or should i just set it on fire in the service bays?
2009Feb 19
F-150 FX4 5.4L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 112,000 miles
I took my car for a tune up and eight days later I still do not have it.
My plugs needed to be changed and so far they have broken off four of them.
Ford has come out with a tool specially designed to get the broken plug out.
If the problem is so prevalent that Ford has to design and supply a tool to fix it, you would think they would recall them and change out the plugs for free.
Would you buy a car that cost over a thousand dollars to change the spark plugs?
2009Feb 05
F-150 FX4 5.4lV8
- Automatic transmission
- 32,000 miles
How can Ford sell a truck where costs over $500.00 to change spark plugs they should be sued for stupid engineering
2008Nov 15
F-150 XLT 5.4L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 66,000 miles
FORD you idiots how long will you keep making this junk. I think this is why they need the bailout. I have been a longtime Ford fan for a long time until the year 2000 came along - I believe that every ford made after this time is like a cheap toy, it is going to break. Under the guidance of a Ford mechanic, he warned me to change the spark plugs before 100,000 miles because the plugs were going to break. Well like ford I too am an idiot for listening to an idiot and changed them. I broke 4 plugs in the heads. I bought a repair kit off the internet and found that it was like ford vehicles, CHEAP and Junk, needless to say it didn't work. Well I was forced to haul it to BOYD COUNTY FORD and the repair man stated that it is a pretty common fix and that it would cost around 500 dollars. Two days and $1200.00 went by, and it was fixed. I asked them if it is going to happen again, if this pile of metal was going to make it another 100,000 miles and his answer was "I hope not". Go buy another brand, I think I'm moving to a Chevy but beware they are getting a bailout too!
2008Apr 08
F-150 F150 Lariet 5.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
WHAT IS FORD THINKING WHEN THEY DESIGN THE WAY SPARK PLUG WERE LOCATED IN THE 5.,4 V-8 IT IS OBVIOUS THE KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM
I UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE DESIGN A EZ OUT TOOL TO REMOVE THE BROKEN PLUGS.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Nov 14
F-150 FX4 5.4L
Just changed the plugs in the 2004 F150 5.4, this is a problem that Ford should have definitely thought out little better. Instead of thinking of share holders all the time, and start thinking of the little people that pay out their @$* for a vehicle. I was not about to pay the quoted $2500 to change plugs on my vehicle. The best option is break each plug loose, 1/8 turn, spray with a good penetrating oil and if you have time let it sit.. for a while. I let mine sit over night, Matco make a removal too for about $110, I purchased one from Napa for $90 and it worked great, the instructions are very clear. It is still about a 5-6 hour job but my time is a lot cheaper than any dealership!!!
billy jo
Escanaba, MI, USA
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