Ford F-150 reliable?

[nobody]

I do have the cam phaser rattle on start up and have for about 40K miles. Everyone has said the rattle doesn't mean whether they are going to have to be replaced, it is unpredictable.

If you’ve got the rattle I would take it in. The rattle happens because the old style hydraulic timing chain tensioners bleed off overnight and allow slack into the timing chain, and the chain whips around inside the timing cover and bangs against the front of the block and back side of the timing cover. All while chiseling off little pieces of aluminum debris and sending it into the oil pan. If the aluminum shavings don’t take it out, the timing system will if they jump time.

The new tensioners (released mid 2023) don’t bleed off when the truck sits. The new phasers also don’t bleed off either, and the repair (if done at a Ford dealership) will come with a 100k mile warranty from Ford.

With the cost of an engine replacement (something like $12k on an ecoboost, no clue on a 5.0 coyote), I would do the $4-$5k repair now on my own terms if I could afford it and avoid a surprise down the road.

 

[prm]

I had a 2014 3.5eb that I traded in with 175k, and now have a 22 with the V8. I had to replace the throttle body on the 2014. ~$150 and 10 minutes. Also had to fix a small turbo coolant leak. That was all redesigned since. The 22 has 37k and has been solid. There is a recall for a bolt on the heavy duty rear end that I had to get fixed. I just drove from VA to CO and back ang got just over 20mpg. Drive 75-80 most of the way. Very happy with this truck.

There are two years where the V8 had an issue with the cylinder lining. 18-19 or maybe 19-20? I forget.

Edit: definitely get the 36gal tank!

 

[TimberRunner]

If you’ve got the rattle I would take it in. The rattle happens because the old style hydraulic timing chain tensioners bleed off overnight and allow slack into the timing chain, and the chain whips around inside the timing cover and bangs against the front of the block and back side of the timing cover. All while chiseling off little pieces of aluminum debris and sending it into the oil pan. If the aluminum shavings don’t take it out, the timing system will if they jump time.

The new tensioners (released mid 2023) don’t bleed off when the truck sits. The new phasers also don’t bleed off either, and the repair (if done at a Ford dealership) will come with a 100k mile warranty from Ford.

With the cost of an engine replacement (something like $12k on an ecoboost, no clue on a 5.0 coyote), I would do the $4-$5k repair now on my own terms if I could afford it and avoid a surprise down the road.

Thanks for that info. Everyone seems to say different things on it. I know a guy who has one with 230K that has rattled for since 40K and he hasn't done anything.

 

[Rams horns]

Generally speaking, they are very reliable. The motor is very well sorted, the body is aluminum so it won't rust, and Ford is very experienced at making trucks.

With that said, things can and will break. If you keep the truck to 200,000 miles, there will be a repair or two. The big question is "will the drivetrain last the life of the vehicle", which is the driving fear behind most extended warranties. If you aren't towing a lot with it, the drivetrain should last at least 150k miles.

 

[Thinkingman]

I have a 2015 3.5 Eco.
172k miles.
New exhaust manifolds last year (less than $2k) because the factory ones shear bolts...Probably not an issue on a 5.0.
Has been a great truck. Looks like new. Great interior layout and the materials have worn very well.
Worlds beyond my Toyota that I owned for 8 years and 100k.
Ford really owns the light duty truck market.

 

[ryanbauman23]

Thanks for all the replies and insight into these trucks, I really appreciate it.

 

[AC300PRC]

Getting in this a little late, but I wanted to add that my workplace runs a dozen F-150’s in our fleet, all newer than 2018, 4 wheel drive 3.5 ecoboost. We buy them 100% based on reliability and maintenance costs. Our team only issue has been a couple broken frames from years of plowing snow. Can’t really hold that against the truck.

 

[Dos XX]

We put 300k on one at work.

I have put 200k on 2 of them, a 2010 and a 2014. I have 140k on my 2019. The '10 had a 4.6 or 4.7, i can't remember, the other 2, 5.0's in them. No problems with any of the 3.

 

[MT_Fin]

I have a 2016 2.7 eco with 95k that has been a great truck. Hope to put many more miles on it, getting ready to do all the fluids, plugs, and just did brakes and rotors.

 

[bojangles808]

45k on a 2020 2.7. zero issues

 

[Loco4dux]

2016 v8 with 145k has been good. Just make sure you get the big tank as I did not and that’s a huge bummer.

 

[wapitibob]

Thanks for that info. Everyone seems to say different things on it. I know a guy who has one with 230K that has rattled for since 40K and he hasn't done anything.

The cam phaser rattle on newer vehicles is from the cam phaser internals coming apart. Different "rattle" than the timing chain tensioner running out of adjustment, which leads to the chain skipping a tooth and your timing going sideways.

older models with both the timing chain and cam phaser issues

 

[GunsAreFun]

My friend has a 2018 2.7 that has never been in the shop except for tires and oil after 140,000+ miles.

 

[Miloiii123]

Late model 2017 started the 10 Spd. They are finally getting that sorted.
2018 also saw the 5.0 engine get much less reliable "oil burning for one" as well as the second gen 2.7 that got more power but got less reliable

the best all-around F150 as far as reliability is the aluminum trucks 2015- early 2017
Either the 2.7L or 5.0L

Also, anyone that says the 2.7 Ecoboost sucks, doesn't know shit.

The ecoboost is great until my friend’s 2.7l needed a turbo replaced with 70k miles on it

 

[TXCO]

I have an 18 2.7 ecoboost with 104,000 miles. Xlt with upgraded offroad and electronics package. No issues so far except sometimes surge/turbo shifting from 3rd to 4th gear in the tranny and minor screen issues that just make me turn it off and back on. Odly enough when I had to replace the battery I saw a few small things improve.

Things I liked when I bought it- flat floorboard in the back with great fold up seats, rear diff locker, 34 gallon gas tank, bed lights and bed switch, synthetic easy to clean seats, very spacious especially with two kids and a dog.

I wish Id gotten the v8 as the ecoboost gas mileage hasnt lived up to the promise and to have a simpler engine. I dont tow and the engine and drivetrain have met my needs if not overkill. Im concerned about the tranny as others have mentioned. I have a friend who sold his as the tranny started to go. The aluminum body can get beat up in the backwoods. Overall Im very happy and will keep an eye on things as it ages.


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[TJfromTX]

2013 XLT / 5.0 V8 (213,000 miles and still driven every day) no major issues.
*Routine Maintenance (oil and other fluid changes, tires, batteries, ect.) ....
*A few water pump replacements over the last 11 years....
* limited slip diff service every 3 or 4 years (a known issue with the 2013)....
other than that its been an excellent truck, no complaints at all. (now that I've said that.... it probably wont start this afternoon)

 

[elkivory]

Late 2020 f150 3.5 eco, 115,000 miles. The only time it's been to the shop is to take it back and bitch because they overfilled the tranny when they replaced the fluid. I knew better having replaced it myself previously. Other than the overfill, not a single leak nor drip.
Fantastic vehicle, lots of uber miles and it just keeps humming along. Long trips to WY and AZ are comfortable. Mileage does drop when you stick 10 ply tires on it so I run the factory 4 ply cheapies most of the year. Add some Superhide seat covers and it should be good for many years.

I have a 2020 2.7 I bought new. 49k miles, very little towing and nothing really heavy. I want to get trans fluid changed, but don't trust anybody. I've always done my own, but had a dipstick for refill. How big a job was it?

 

[prm]

Trans fluid is not the easiest job, but it’s doable. Patience… Find a good YouTube video. Aaron Hines or Fordtechmakuloco.

If somebody make an aftermarket Trans pan with a drain plug and where only the center area could be removed to replace the filter that would be brilliant.

 

[Winter24]

I drive a 23 2.7 xlt that’s leveled on 33s and still get 23 mpg. Love the 36 gallon tank…hate the rattle in the dashboard

 

[Halky010]

I think you'll be in good shape if you take care of the truck and perform the recommended maintenance intervals.