Problems with 1999 Ford F-150 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford f-150. the contact stated that the exhaust manifold started breaking away from the vehicle. the contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that the bolts holding the manifold in place had rusted and broken off. the contact was also informed that this was a common failure. the failure mileage and current mileages were 291,000.

Started the truck up an blast off! dont know where the plug went but it was gone after i heard a loud bang. *kb *tr

Cylinder 5 spark plug blew out while driving, wrecking the threading in the spark plug hole and the coil. *tr

I purchased my 1999 ford f-150 4x 4 with a triton 5.4 v-8 engine used. the engine had approximately 140,000 when i purchased it. i only drive it to and from work in las vegas, nv (approximately 25 miles round trip) at speeds below 50 mph. the engine blew the back plug at 163,000. because it was the back plug the labor to repair was high (pull the engine). the difference in putting helicoils (all eight plugs) in and a new engine was not that much difference so i order a long block full engine from ford with stipulations it corrected the design flaw. the engine cost almost $7000 when all was done and complete. ford warranty the engine 3 years and 75,000 miles. i figured this corrected the issues with the spark plugs blowing out. well at the 4 year point and approximate 25,000 miles the new engine blew a plug. ford and the dealer (whom we purchased the engine from) say it is our problem. the dealer (parts manager) actually said since i was not a frequent customer and had purchased the truck used they did not see a way to help. i have researched this issue on the internet and believe it is design flaw in the head. i am in the process of having steel inserts put in all of the spark plug holes so i might get use out of a hefty investment in a motor with a known issue which ford will not back. i own a ford crown victory, a mercury marquis ls, and the f-150 truck . . . these are the last vehicles i will own from ford. *tr

Have had a spark plug ejected twice now within 3000 miles. after some research this seems to be a common problem with some ford engines. it was actually pretty scary due to the strong odor of gas afterwards with the engine being so hot. it now seems like its going to be a costly problem to fix. even worse, the fix is no guarantee that it won't happen to the replacement cylinder heads. *tr

In may was at a stop light when the light turned green i accelerated and the plug blew at seconds later i got it towed to the shop fixed it with the heli-coil kit days later as i was going up a steep hill heard a popping sound brought it right to the shop another plug was ready to eject they pulled all plugs anti seized them good for a couple months now in sept it is ready to lose another plug. my truck is a 1999 ford f-150 triton. *tr

While driving 45mph on suburban two lane highway i heard a loud bang and subsequent rhythmic popping sound accompanied by an engine misfiring. upon inspection i found the # 4 cylinder spark plug lying on the valve cover; un attached to the cylinder head. the mechanic found the threads "blown out" of the head and had to utilize a heli-coil kit to repair. the spark plug was a motorcraft original equipment part. this seems to be a prevalent problem with the triton 5.4 liter engine. i suspect the problem originating from undue stress fractures in the aluminum head after continued use and inherent thermal differential rates (expansions/contractions) of the two different metals; i.e. steel spark plug vs. aluminum alloy head. poor engineering !! i am the original owner of the f150 with 140k miles. *tr

1999 ford triton 5,4l. #2 sparkplug thread failure. the sparkplug was blown out of head and ignited a small fire under the hood. *tr

Ford f-150 5.4l triton engine - blown out spark plug...plug ejected from the engine while - smoke, minor fire... *tr

Tl*the contact owned a 1999 ford f150. the contact stated that after driving 1/4 mile and then parking the vehicle near the garage the truck caught fire while it was turned off. the fire department was called and extinguished the fire. there were no injuries. the vehicle was destroyed. ford has not been contacted. the failure mileage was approximately 120,000. updated 09/16-10 *bf updated 09/20/10*jb the consumer stated the fire started under the hood. prior to the fire, the battery light illuminated. updated 09/20/10.*jb updated 08/01/11 *bf the consumer stated the fire started under the hood. the fire dept. did not know what caused the fire. six days before the fire, the battery light illuminated. the consumers husband had the vehicle inspected and everything checked out fine. updated 08/02/11

I noticed a ticking noise which sounded like an exhaust manifold leak for the past few days and just today i was taking off from a stop sign when the spark plug blew out of the head creating a loud knocking/ticking noise. i have not had it fixed yet, but from what i understand this can create engine fires which can be a major safety hazard. *tr

After driving the vehicle approximately 10-12 miles, i parked it in the driveway. about fifteen minutes later my wife and i smelled smoke. when i investigated, i found engine compartment of the truck in flames. the fire appeared to have started on the driver's side of the engine compartment above the front wheel. fire company was required to extinguish the flames. everything forward ofthe firewall was destroyed. *tr

My 1999 ford f150 was sitting in the driveway next to the house. apparently it spontaneously combusted. it is now a burned-out shell of a truck. fortunately, my wife was working from home and called the fire dept so the house did not suffer much damage. i did lose a few thousand $ worth of tools in the truck. *tr

I own a used 1999 ford f-150 5.4l engine. it has approximately 117,500 miles. while driving on the freeway in california yesterday, i heard a loud knocking type noise. i pulled over to the shoulder and with the engine running opened the hood. just as i did, the spark plug ejected from the cylinder head and came within 3" of my skull almost killing me. took it right over to the power ford dealer in tustin, ca. they want to charge me a diagnosis fee to tell me what i already know. i told them they better assure me that the remaining 7 plugs won't do the same thing or i may have been killed and a law suit would have been a definite. this is very dangerous and out of warranty so to speak, but it a unique problem all it's own. this has to lead to a recall. it is far to dangerous and in light of what has come up with toyota recently we cannot allow these things , these serious danger to continue to be allowed to save ford a few $. i am also going to write to congress. *tr

Tl* the contact owns 1999 ford f150. while driving at 55mph the vehicle shut down without warning. he took the vehicle to the garage. he was informed the motor head sending unit had to be replaced, but the motor head hole was defective because it was drilled too large.the garage was not able to replace the motor head in a timely manner. the total cost for repair was $700.00.the contact contacted the manufacturer. the manufacturer did not offer any assistance . the failure and current mileage was 130,000.

I own a 1999 ford f-150, 5.4l v-8 triton. i recently had a tune up in december 2010 with all eight spark plugs and wires changed out for a mere $700. in feb 2011, as i was taking my children to school, i heard a loud pop then my engine started to sound like a tractor without a muffler on it. i pulled over and called wrecker to return the truck to my house, out of pocket $60, not knowing anything about engines. i called the repair center who then had it transferred back to their shop for repair. the #8 plug had completely shot out ripping the coil with it. they fixed that, now two weeks later, the #7 plug is fouled according to the mechanic. this is a major safety concern and a financial burden, as i read other statements of the same defective issues with ford, considering fire could have been a result. please re-open this investigation and force ford to issue recall so that those of us who are financially strapped can have our trucks repaired. otherwise i can assure that i will never buy ford product again. *tr

Spark plug blowout on 1999 ford f150 with 5.4l triton v8. it seems to be a very common problem with the ford modular engines. today, i heard a loud pop come from my engine bay as i accelerated and then the sound of what seemed to be a massive exhaust manifold leak. upon further inspection, i found that the spark plug on the rear passenger side of the engine had ejected and broke the coil with it. i was lucky that it had only damaged the threads on the spark plug and sheared the coil at its mount, instead of damaging the threads on the head, but from reading the multiple other stories online about this happening, it seems that i am luckier than most. i was able to repair it by replacing the spark plug, boot, and coil, but from what i have seen, most people have to replace the head when it happens. i don't see why there has not been a recall since it can cause an accident due to scaring a driver when they hear a loud explosion in the engine when it happens, or possibly killing someone as fuel/air vapors escape the engine and the spark plug could possibly ignite it outside the engine, and being right next to the fuel rail and injectors, possibly cause massive fire damage with its occupants still inside the vehicle. please tell ford to recall this problem. i see the fix being as simple as putting stronger thread inserts to prevent the spark plugs from ejecting. its ridiculous us as car owners should have to continuously pay big bucks for a faulty engine design that ford refuses to acknowledge or fix. *jb *tr

Spark plug keeps being blown out of the cylinder head. now they want to replace the whole head $3,000.00 they first time it happen they just put in a helicoil kit and charged me a $1,000.00. i have also replace 2 coils on this side of the engine and also had to replace the head gasket on that side. *tr

Accelerating on ramp to freeway heard a loud bang, vehicle lost power and engine ran rough while making loud unmuffled noise. found that vehicle had blown out #6 spark plug. ford f-150 with 5.4l engine, with 120,000, original owner. found numerous internet postings on this problem. contacted manufacturer, no recalls or assistance. makers fix is to replace heads, at customer expense. found shop offering in vehicle repair, and expect repairs to be done shortly. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford f150. the contact stated that in july 2009 while driving, the coil pack became dislocated along with a small piece of the spark plug. the contact stated that the threading on the spark plugs was not sufficient enough to hold it in place, causing the plugs to fail due to engine movement. the fuel line was located above the spark plugs and the contact was concerned that if the spark plugs failed, a fire could result. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the coil pack was replaced. the failure occurred again in july 2010. the vehicle was repaired again by the dealer. the manufacturer offered no assistance. the current mileage was approximately 137,000. the failure mileage was 123,179.

One of the spark plugs on my 1999 ford f-150 simply blew out of the head while driving at a mere 15 mph. after inspection, that plug was ejected clear of the vehicle, never to be found, along with all of the threads that it was screwed into. *tr

On four separate occasions, the vehicle began idling and accelerating roughly for about 2 days. the check engine light would come on after about a day. the problem would stop and the light would go out before i had the chance to take it to a shop. this last time, march 27, 2009 it had been raining for a day or two. i went to start the truck and the engine was idling and accelerating roughly again. upon taking it to a local repair shop, i was told that the rear two coil packs had failed and that this was a common problem with this model. it was explained to me that the rain run off from the vehicle dripped onto the rear two coil packs and would cause premature failure. the problem started at about 71,000 miles and was repaired at just over 72,000. *tr

Went outside to start my truck 1999 ford f-150 5.4l. as soon as i started the truck i heard a loud banging, shut the truck off, open the hood, and a spark plug had blown out the head ripping all the threads out and breaking the coil. so now my $14000 truck is useless. my only options include $3000 for new heads or a heli coil kit which will eventually allow the same problem or worse to occur. *tr

Had just pulled out from intersection onto main road when truck developed a severe misfire. i pulled over immediately and upon inspection found the third spark plug on the right side had blown out of the hole. we took it to a garage less than a block away and they were able to install a new plug and coil pack but some of the threads in the head had been damaged. we were told they didn't know how long it would hold. old parts are not available. i understand this is a problem on the ford triton engines and think a recall should be issued .thank you *tr

Ford 1999 f-150 spark plug blow out & possible engine damage 91,132 miles. truck not fixed yet, i am in the process of getting estimates. *tr

1999 ford f150 . ford put aluminum heads in these vehicles. they found out that they were shooting out the spark plugs. they have never recalled this. in the past 4mos, we have had 4 spark plugs shoot out. each time this happened, it cost 300.00 to repair and 200.00 for towing. not including the money lost in wages, renting a vehicle etc. i contacted ford and filed a complaint. they said they would document this and that was pretty much the end of this. the dealer ship we took this to, said they see a lot of these. it was because of the aluminum heads and ford recognizes this now and changed it. well, they did not change it for the people who still have these trucks. this situation if very frustrating to me as a consumer. this could possibly blow the entire engine. this vehicle is not even 10yrs old. there are 4 more spark plugs that could go yet. we do not have the extra money to keep sticking into this truck and we are in no financial situation to buy another one at this point. we have to get by with what we have, but we should not have to be dealing with this mess. in my opinion and others with the same complaint, ford should recall this. they need to make this right to their consumers. thank you, william krumhus *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford f-150. while the vehicle was parked and shut off, the contact heard a loud explosion. he inspected the vehicle and noticed flames coming from the hood. the vehicle was completely destroyed. a fire fighter extinguished the fire and a report was filed. the contact has pictures of the incident and is in the process of notifying ford. the failure and current mileages were 127,000. updated 09/17/08. *lj the consumer stated there may have been a pin hole in the fuel rail. updated 09/25/08. *jb

My 1999 ford f150 ejected a spark plug - damaging other parts as it ejected - this is a manufacturing defect that needs a recall a fire can easily happen in this situation. *tr

Spark plug blew out and broke boot when this happens it still sprays gas out and could start a fire.then a month laiter it did the same thing with another plug not the same plug as the first time.had to buy a threader kit and new boot and new plugs did it myself it has happen 2 times and will most likely happen again im afraid it will start a fire because it sprays gas out the plug hole and you have a spark plug boot there sending spark to the plug. *tr

1999 ford f150 5.4l v8 blew out the number four (4) spark plug located on the passenger side in the rear. personal research has told me that this is a very common problem due to a "factory defect" (ford motor company does not admit this) of not having enough threads in the head to hold the plug. recommended repairs include replacing the head, which is $2,500 job. i am using a thread tapping dye with an insert to fix this problem. it is still not put back together at this time. in my opinion, ford needs to recall the heads on the 5.4l motors for any and all years that have had these blow-out problems. *tr

Spark plug blew out of #3 cylinder in the head of a 1999 ford f-150. *tr

I have a 1999 ford f-150, 5.4l v-8 triton. it has spit the number eight spark plug twice, and now the number seven plug has been ejected multiple times. luckily, my wife and kids weren't with me when these events happened. after the first time, and much reading and research, and the fact that your office will not get involved with this well documented problem, i do not feel safe with them in my truck. it's only a matter of time, if it hasn't happened already, the coil pack or spark plug will be ejected right into the fuel rail and the coil pack will still be sparking and cause a fire. i really appreciate yours and fords help with this, as i am a disabled vet on a fixed income and can't afford to fix it this time; so my truck has been sitting in my driveway for over two months. maybe some day someone will realize the dangers here and help us! *tr

Spark plug / cylinder head failure (very common problem) 1999 ford f150 with the triton 5.4l v8, cost to repair was nearly $1000.00. *tr

Spark plug blow out. *tr

Spark plug blew out of cylinder head while driving down the highway. the thyreads in the cylinder head were sheared off. this vehicle (1999 ford f-150, 4.6l engine) has not been fixed due to excessive costs of repair. *tr

The #4 spark plug was blown out of the head. i was told my mechanic that it was an ongoing problem with my 5.4l v8 triton motor but ford will not fix the problem. i purchased the vehicle used two months ago and was never inform at time of the problem. i would never have made the deal if i would have know about this . *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford f-150. the contact stated that since 2007, four spark plugs worked their way out of the head and blew out the cylinder. each time, he would install a new plug and ignition coil. the vehicle had not been inspected or repaired by an authorized dealership. the contact had not spoken with the manufacturer at the time of the complaint. the current mileage was approximately 145,000. the failure mileage was approximately 110,000

My emissions, egr and 02 senors. *tr

Spark plug spit from cylinder head. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford f-150. when coming to a stop at 20 mph, the vehicle's engine shuts down. the current mileage is unknown and the failure mileage was 113,250.

Have a 1999 f150 that has a fix recorded for the head gasket, but has no recall. even though ford knows there is a fault, and should take care of or repay the consumer for fixing, since ford knows there is a problem. *ak

1999 ford f-150 spark plugs blowing out. *nm

blown head gasket. *nm

I purchased my '99 ford f-150 in the spring of '04. at the time of purchase the truck had just over 49,000 miles on it. this past monday (10/16/06) while pulling out of a local parking lot, the #2 spark plug was ejected out of the right cylinder head, ripping out the threads that the spark plug screws into & destroying the coil pack located directly above. my truck on the day of failure had 81,790 miles on it. that's 18,210 miles short if the trucks first manufactures suggested 100,000 mile tune-up. ford will not even consider the thought of making this manufacturer's defect right. they simply told me that the head would need to be replaced at my expense and at the cost of $2,800.00 to $3,000.00. it's a design flaw!!! the aluminum heads for the 5.4 l engines were engineered with an inadequate number of threads needed to retain the spark plugs. there are only 4 to 5 threads tapped into these heads (approx. 1/4" to 5/16" in length) today is october 19th and i have purchased a repair kit manufactured by dorman products to fix this stripped out spark plug myself. this kit is specifically made by dorman not ford, to fix this problem of fords 5.4l engines. it's really sad that ford has to use the consumers as guinea pigs and then fail so miserably to back their product. i'm hesitant to check the torque of the other seven plugs in fear that they will not withstand the recommended 25 foot pounds of torque required to tighten them up but if i don't then it's russia roulette as to when the next one will blow out and where i will be stranded when it does. i expect ford to stand behind their product 110%, especially when it is a well known fact by ford and the consumer that there is an engineering flaw with the design of the 5.4l engines aluminum heads produced between years of 1997 through 2002. *nm

Truck started missing, sputtering, pinging, running on 3 cylinders. valve spring broke in engine. *nm

I have a 99 f150 with less than 60k miles on it. while driving to work a spark plug blew out. repair was not able to be done on the head. head replacement was $3600 engine replacement was $5000. i replaced the engine with the same type of faulty engine... how long until it happens again?? *jb

99 ford f-150 197k miles. cylinder #3 spark plug blow out. almost broke fuel rail. no fire heads replaced. seeking reimbursement from ford 3150.00. *jb

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford f150. in between oil changes, the head gasket leaks oil onto the motor and causes it to smoke. as a result, oil gets beneath the motor and into the exhaust, which could cause a fire. the vehicle is also smoking. the ford dealer recommended that the contact keep the vehicle parked. nhtsa campaign id number 98v194000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system) was referenced. the current mileage was 135,000 and failure mileage was less than 100,000. update 09/10/08 *cw updated 09/16/08. *jb

Oil leak in head gasket due to manafacturing defect. i see many other owners have the same problem. truck is out of warrenty and repair is very costly. ford is aware of the problem but is not helping owners.

When i started my vehicle their was a loud popping noise, further investigation showed the #2 cylinder coil was jumping up and down. when i pulled the coil out the spark plug came with it. the aluminum engine head had stripped out the threads that hold the spark plug. further dealing w/ ford dealership, as to how to fix the problem, is to replace the head at a cost of 2500.00 plus. *nm