Ford F-150 reliable?

[GetWestern]

There is a reason fleet vehicles are called fleet vehicles.

All 8 having problems that early though I have a hard time blaming that on people abusing them.

 

[wapitibob]

Thanks for the info. I have thought about just doing a drain and fill like you're suggesting on the transmission. Wait at least to 100K+ on filter. I doubt I'll put 150k on mine, so I might not ever change the filter. You're saying change trans fluid while on ramps. Don't worry about level? I do run up on blocks when I change oil.

Actually, I went to using a cpl bricks, only about 3" rise on the front, but you could do bricks on all 4 and remain level. Just remembered today when I changed the oil.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

If its not your personal ride most people beat the hell out of company owned vehicles.

The antithesis is that fleet vehicles typically get routine scheduled maintenance and repairs. The average private owner may not drive the vehicle like a maniac but are also more likely to miss oil changes and neglect basic repairs and preventative maintenance.

 

[ElkHunter75]

i have a 21 f150 with 30k... haven't had a problem

 

[tp308]

2016 3.5 Eccoboost 183K miles... I have a love/hate relationship with this truck, best interior and ride of any 1/2 ton in my opinion. Paint issues from day one, a stiff breeze could blow the paint off of this truck, constant issues with fouled spark plugs & coil packs (it has left me stranded more than once). Started an oil leak recently that Ford quoted me $4500 to fix. I'm meticulous with maintenance and would actually consider another F150, but it would definitely be the 5.0 Coyote next time (I've also owned a Tacoma, a Tundra and various Chevy 1500's and 2500's in the past as well)

 

[prm]

I did find some aftermarket transmission pans that at least have a drain plug. That would dramatically simplify a few fluid changes then just do the filter at the pan install and then again at ~150k.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Sad state of affairs when every other person talks about what a POS their truck is…

 

[WV Mountaineer]

All 8 having problems that early though I have a hard time blaming that on people abusing them.

This thread says there’s something at play besides the truck concerning those vehicles. Could have been all manufacturing though. Not likely.

 

[fngTony]

My 2010 is getting close to 200,000 miles.
AC issue and transfer case issue, but overall good. Have some sort of leak around the rear window, even after replacing the third brake light (historical issue for that year model). Doing good overall, but thinking about getting an F250 soon.

That generation has the rear window sealed with a sticky tape that doesn’t cure but dries out and gets holes blown through it in a car wash. Removing the window and new seal is the fix.

 

[TheLoamRanger]

2016 3.5 Eccoboost 183K miles... I have a love/hate relationship with this truck, best interior and ride of any 1/2 ton in my opinion. Paint issues from day one, a stiff breeze could blow the paint off of this truck, constant issues with fouled spark plugs & coil packs (it has left me stranded more than once). Started an oil leak recently that Ford quoted me $4500 to fix. I'm meticulous with maintenance and would actually consider another F150, but it would definitely be the 5.0 Coyote next time (I've also owned a Tacoma, a Tundra and various Chevy 1500's and 2500's in the past as well)

Bummer about the paint- I haven't seen much on that. I do totally agree on the interior and ride quality though, they are very nice.

I have a 2015 with 99k mi and 2016 with 135k mi, both with 3.5EBs. The common 3.5 issues that I have personal experience with:
- misfires due to cracked spark plug insulators (#6 cylinder only), now carry a spare and tools to replace on the road.
- warped exhaust manifolds (both trucks, both manifolds.....one of the trucks is on it's 3rd pair but has had heavier use than the other truck). Dealer quoted $5k for one side. I ended up doing two pairs of them. Fairly big job.
- turbo coolant leaks; poorly designed turbo coolant line setup
- one is a platinum trim and is very sensitive to battery degradation and the electrical gremlins come out
- higher mileage one appears to have developed the cam phaser start up rattle....so that's nice.

The newer EBs supposedly fixed some of the issues I've seen. These engines and trucks are awesome when all is running good with them. I wish I had experience with the 5.0 engine, as the simplicity would be nice when it comes time to do the repairs.

We tend to average about 15-16 mpg on both, and both are on 33" ATs.

Edit: grammar fixes

 

[mgray34]

I've had 7 over the past 30 years. Here's the high points.

I had a 2002 that I bought new that had serious paint issues.

Had a 2007 that was highly reliable. 5.4 V-8 that I had from 75K to 290K. No major issues.

Had a 2013 3.5 V6 EcoBoost that was bar none the biggest POS I have ever owned. Constantly in the shop with a multitude of problems. Ultimately, the engine blew up and I said I'd never drive another F-150.

Driving a Tundra currently.

 

[StuckInTheEast]

This is a common occurrence at my shop on pre 2018 3.5L eco-boost trucks. Turbo coolant lines/fittings, manifolds and studs and all the associated seals, hardware and gaskets. The 2018 and up 3.5L eliminated this issue but then the phaser problem came about as well as leaking oil pans and 10spd trans issues.
The early 10spd trucks have been dropping on the regular with CDF drum bushing failures. One of my employees has that issue with his 2019 right now as well as Cam phaser rattle right at 100k miles. Not sure exactly when the CDF drum fix went into production but they definitely didn't ball fail under warranty so 10spd is a gamble on any truck out of power train warranty.
They need ball joints, wheel bearings and rear diff bearing replacements routinely. The newer aluminum body trucks don't seem as prone to breaking front springs as the steel bodies were.
The 6R80 trans was pretty solid other that lead frame issues(internal trans wire harness basically) I've but a few torque converters in them as well.
I believe 2018-2020 5.0L trucks were the oil consumption problem child. Seem a few of them using oil or damaged from running low on oil between routine intervals. Not sure of exact cause, cure or what was changed later in production.
I would say they are a decent truck in current form to at least 100-150k miles. Just don't be too surprised if you get a big repair bill near 100k...that goes for any of them anymore. I'd own one before any GM 1/2 ton made in the last 16 years or so. If your looking at a couple years old vs new, I'd just go new Price won't be huge difference and financing rates likely better if you go that route and you start with fresh warranty.

 

[Blockcaver]

They need ball joints, wheel bearings and rear diff bearing replacements routinely. The newer aluminum body trucks don't seem as prone to breaking front leaf springs as the steel bodies were.

I didn't know any F150's used leaf springs on the front, at least since the first one I owned, a 1990 thru my 2015?

And over >500,000 miles combined on 3 of them I've not had to replace a wheel bearing, ball joint or rear diff bearing. Maybe I've been lucky?

 

[StuckInTheEast]

I didn't know any F150's used leaf springs on the front, at least since the first one I owned, a 1990 thru my 2015?

And over >500,000 miles combined on 3 of them I've not had to replace a wheel bearing, ball joint or rear diff bearing. Maybe I've been lucky?

Yeah coils...typo. And yes, you've been lucky. Very common occurrence on 04 to whenever the aluminum bodies came same with wheel bearings, vacuum hub actuators etc...I could list all the smaller issues they have, that was just a couple that came to mind.
There are always outliers. Seen some of those trucks over 200k with nothing but basic maintenance...seen some not make 100k without multiple major repairs... some of its lack of maintenance, some abuse, some driving habits some just luck or lack there of.
Most fall in the middle of needing some major work between 100-150k.

 

[Thinkingman]

Yeah coils...typo. And yes, you've been lucky. Very common occurrence on 04 to whenever the aluminum bodies came same with wheel bearings, vacuum hub actuators etc...I could list all the smaller issues they have, that was just a couple that came to mind.
There are always outliers. Seen some of those trucks over 200k with nothing but basic maintenance...seen some not make 100k without multiple major repairs... some of its lack of maintenance, some abuse, some driving habits some just luck or lack there of.
Most fall in the middle of needing some major work between 100-150k.

I got the turbo oil and coolant lines done as a preventative when I had the exhaust manifolds replace around 150k.
I looked at the lines and they looked good...great actually. No coking or anything to indicate any sort of issues.
My complete manifold service including the oil and coolant lines was under $2k but I bought the manifold kit from BD Diesel that had the extra studs machined.
No issues with the front end at all and this truck has done a lot of backcountry pounding with a full load.
I would absolutely buy another F150.

 

[StuckInTheEast]

I dont get out of bed to work that cheap, but good for you if it was done right.
Don't worry, it'll break eventually, they all do.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

The antithesis is that fleet vehicles typically get routine scheduled maintenance and repairs. The average private owner may not drive the vehicle like a maniac but are also more likely to miss oil changes and neglect basic repairs and preventative maintenance.

Dont know about other places but I can say where i work this dont happen lol

 

[Dbecker6415]

I am looking at getting a new truck and I have noticed the Ford F-150's have come down in price. I am looking at couple years old, 20-22 and my main concern is reliability. I do know I want V8 and 4-wheel drive, all other things are extras which I don't really care about. What is everyone's thoughts on these fords?

Thanks

I have a 3.5 not a v8 but I love it.

 

[Szwampdonkey]

$1k to or a wheelbearing?

Sent from my moto g power 5G - 2024 using Tapatalk

Wasn’t quite $1000 but close. Dealers are expensive I guess. Good thing that’s the only time i’ve ever had to bring it in in 8 years.

I mean, i could’ve bought a Ram. No telling how many tens of thousands in repairs id be out in the same span.

 

[KyleR1985]

2016 super crew 4x4 with 5.0

Will break 200k in the next week or so.

Transmission rebuild that I can’t rule out being the fault of the guy I bought truck from at 25k miles. He could’ve done some dumb things. Transmission guy said not common tranny to see in the shop.

VCT solenoid cam timing whatever stupid thing thay causes rough idle in these trucks.


I paid about 6k total for both those repairs.


Besides those two things, zero issues, standard maintenance. Assuming the tranny rebuild doesn’t crap out, the rest of the truck seems to be in good enough shape to make it another 100k.


With an aluminum truck, and the cost of new vehicles, it’s going to make for a tough call on buying another versus redoing this one.