2011+ F-250 6.2L V8 reliability

[Schmo]

Well, if things work out, I’ll be upgrading trucks here before too long. Currently drive a 2011 Tundra, and it’s been a good truck. However, I’d like to get an upgrade claimed on this years taxes, and miles are nearing 200k. I know that’s not a lot, but I’ll need some help on my taxes. Also, I’m needing to get a 3/4 ton as I will be doing more pulling. If I didn’t need a 3/4 ton, I’d just be getting another Tundra. I drive about 25,000 miles per year.

That being said, I’m eyeing the 2011+ F-250 with the 6.2L V8. I’m not a Ford fan, but the only two fair choices seem to be these models, or GM 3/4 tons of same year range. I’ve been around a lot more GM trucks than I have Fords. My complaint with GM trucks is the seemingly inevitable electrical issues, and that the 6.0 Vortec is fairly underpowered. My max budget is about $26k. I’ve seen that I can get sub-100k mile F-250s as new as 2018 or so for that money. Obviously the 2011-2016 years are a bit cheaper. I figure there are some Ford techs, mechanics, business owners with fleets, etc that might have some valuable insight into this. Please don’t comment if you have a general vendetta against Ford, or if your dentist’s daughter’s neighbor’s cousin once had an issue with a Ford. Help me out please!

 

[backcountry_hunter]

had a 15 250 w/ 6.2 was the little engine that could. no problems. At the same time I had twin 15 dmax's that were going through headgaskets and emissions stuff left and right. Most days I wished I had 3 of the 6.2's.

Spent a large amount of its life in 4wd, towing, subzero temps, logging roads, ice and snow, mud and probably had 3:1 miles gravel/offroad to asphalt. I don't know that I ever had it in the shop. It also wore a 8'2" boss v-plow in the winter.

fuel economy wasn't great but given what it was asked to do it wasn't going to be. Plus IIRC i had 4:10's in it. A buddy bought one around the same time (maybe a year earlier) and had 200K problem free miles but was a pavement princess. I think he was getting arounf 14mpg on avg which is/was pretty okay for a 3/4ton gasser.

 

[Baddog]

Got a buddy with a fleet of 6.2s for his construction biz. Usually runs them to 200k and problems seem few and far between for someone with 20+ of them.

 

[Schmo]

had a 15 250 w/ 6.2 was the little engine that could. no problems. At the same time I had twin 15 dmax's that were going through headgaskets and emissions stuff left and right. Most days I wished I had 3 of the 6.2's.

Spent a large amount of its life in 4wd, towing, subzero temps, logging roads, ice and snow, mud and probably had 3:1 miles gravel/offroad to asphalt. I don't know that I ever had it in the shop. It also wore a 8'2" boss v-plow in the winter.

fuel economy wasn't great but given what it was asked to do it wasn't going to be. Plus IIRC i had 4:10's in it. A buddy bought one around the same time (maybe a year earlier) and had 200K problem free miles but was a pavement princess. I think he was getting arounf 14mpg on avg which is/was pretty okay for a 3/4ton gasser.

So far, that’s the conclusion I’ve come to. It seems that as a whole, they are just a workhorse that holds up to 200-250k.

 

[Schmo]

Got a buddy with a fleet of 6.2s for his construction biz. Usually runs them to 200k and problems seem few and far between for someone with 20+ of them.

Good to know

 

[Schmo]

@StuckInTheEast, did you say the 2017+ have A/C issues?

 

[Yooper]

No experience with the 6.2 personally, but a lot of the guys that I work with (mining) really like that engine if not going the diesel route. Pretty sure they're still really popular with pipeline guys as well.

 

[Libtard McSocalist]

We have had several ambulances with the 6.2 v8. Up to 300k miles with ridiculous amount of idle time and they get driven hard. Great engine IMO

 

[Mountainrancher]

every 2011-2016 ford super duty I’ve seen has been drop dead reliable wether it was a 6.2 or a 6.7. They are easy 200k+ trucks with very little problems.
This video talks about them pretty well.

 

[Schmo]

Thanks guys! Would 2017-2018 be considered as good?

 

[Steve300xcw]

Personal preference would keep me away from the aluminum trucks.

 

[Mountainrancher]

Thanks guys! Would 2017-2018 be considered as good?

I’m not as familiar with the alumiduty trucks. I want to say much of the frame/drivetrain is the same as super duty but don’t quote me. A 15-16 xlt or lariat with under 150k is what I would be looking for in your shoes.

 

[Schmo]

I’m not as familiar with the alumiduty trucks. I want to say much of the frame/drivetrain is the same as super duty but don’t quote me. A 15-16 xlt or lariat with under 150k is what I would be looking for in your shoes.

In 2017, the frame was changed to a boxed frame. Same engine/tranny. I’m looking to buy with less than 100k miles since I drive 25k a year

 

[Mountainrancher]

In 2017, the frame was changed to a boxed frame. Same engine/tranny. I’m looking to buy with less than 100k miles since I drive 25k a year

It might be tougher to find a super duty with under 100k but not impossible. I would still lean that way personally

 

[StuckInTheEast]

Most ofvthe compressor failures Ive been seeing on '17+ have been diesels... ive not checked to see if the part numbers are the same on 6.2l compressor.
Overall the 6.2l has been very solid. They break exhaust manifolds, but not the studs like the old 5.4l used to...so just a bolt on operation.
Need plugs(16) wires, coil boots and resistor pills every 60k ir you'll be replacing expensive coil packs. Major mechanical wise very few issues though. Ive read of some valve spring issues, not actually seen one yet. My guy here that came from ford has seen a couple, but nothing catastrophic...air the cylinder, swap spring and roll on.
seen a few catalyst failures on them, but not an epidemic.
If I were buying another 3/4 ton the 6.2l with the 6r100 trans would be high on my list.
Supposedly they have gotten the lifter/cam issues sorted out on the Godzilla engines.. those and the 6.8l that took place of 6.2l are too new yet for me to see many of them other than for maintenance work.

 

[timekiller13]

Had a 2016 6.2 f-250. Great vehicle. Should have never sold it. Pulled well, rode well no isssues. Pulled 12k 5th wheel with it. You have to be comfortable with higher RPMs but it did well.

Only issue I had was TPMs constantly going bad.

 

[yfarm]

11 gen 1 raptor original owner, no issues at 148k, one air conditioner hose, one window regulator motor and onetransfer case actuator motor, on its third set of tires and brakes.
20 F250 7.3 4:30s, flawless since new. Just replaced batteries, on first set of tires at 46k, about 50%.Mainly used for towing and hunting trips towing.

 

[Slickhill]

I bought a 19 new after talking with the fleet mechanics at work. They keep about 75 3/4 and 1 ton gas pickups in service at any given time. Policy says we run them until 150k unless there’s a lemon and then it will get dumped at auction early. Occasionally trucks will get run to 175-200k depending on what time of the fiscal year they reach the 150k limit. Most probably average 30-50k per year.

He told me that from 2011-2018 the had repaired or replaced 1 fuel pump, 1 transmission, and one transfer case. These trucks are flogged on pretty hard, much of it off in right of ways and always loaded down with a service box at a minimum with a good amount of towing trailers from 10-12k. They get oil changes at 5k or close to it.

Around 2018 there started to be some fuel pump issues. The updated pump and driver module is the cure 99 percent of the time. I had to do them on mine to cure the long crank. But it’s a $500 two hour job, not pleasant but I suppose it could be worse.

 

[OldGrayWolf]

I drive a 16 f350 srw 6.2 every day. One of the best trucks I’ve had. As others have stated, fuel consumption is about standard for a truck with a V8. Truck has been uber reliable, pulls everything I need to pull(up to a T590 skid steer or small excavator). I love the thing, frankly, and you can buy a lot of gas before you can pay for a diesel. 16 was the last year for the steel body, in my case not the greatest thing, because my truck was owned by a tire company in Winnipeg before I got it. Trying to stay ahead of some beginning bed rust. They are great trucks.

 

[Steve300xcw]

We never had issues with the beds separating until the aluminum rigs came out