8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$670
Average Mileage:
92,200 miles
Total Complaints:
23 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replaced ignition coil and spark plug (12 reports)
  2. ford said replace engine (4 reports)
  3. not sure (3 reports)
  4. recall the engine (2 reports)
  5. replace fuel injectors (2 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Ford F-150:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #23

Sep 242021

F-150 Lariat 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 185,000 miles

Timing chain was so far off that it was beyond repair. Had to junk the truck :(

- James L., Columbia, MO, US

problem #22

Aug 092016

F-150 Lariat 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

Very disappointed in this engine, plugs , throttle body , all plug coils had to be replaced.

So I replaced the truck

- K W., Birmingham, AL, US

problem #21

Jan 242017

F-150 Lariat 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 133,880 miles

Bought the vehicle 2 months ago. Slight hesitation from get go. Told car dealership about it and they said it was not a problem, probably a dirty injector. Engine light was on. Purchased HUM from Verizon to monitor the problem. Initially, it indicated a fuel/air imbalance. Talked with a mechanic. Issue appeared to be bad coils. Scheduled to fix. While taking it to the garage, vehicle began stalling excessively and running extremely rough. Made it to garage and they said probable only fix was a full engine replacement. Dealer advised only replacement was a re-manufactured engine for $ 5300.00 plus labor. Checking online found that this is a recurrent problem with the Ford F150 models. Stay away from this model as these repairs are becoming very expensive and more than the vehicle is worth. Ford has not responded.

- Terence W., Mercer, PA, US

problem #20

Sep 012016

F-150 xlt 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

It began with a engine shudder under load. Just recently turned over 100k miles. Told needed new plugs and check coils. Plugs prone to breakage. Had plugs replaced and 2 new coils several broken plugs, cost close to $1000. Ran great for 1 day then ran rough. Back to shop, told new coil malfunctioned. Replacement and ran great again for 1 day. Began running rough after sitting overnight, then smoothed out. This went on for a couple of weeks. Ran great at times and rough at others, typically after sitting for a day or two. Went out to West Texas, ran great. Parked for 2 days and started up, Ran rough, never smoothed out. Limped home. Back to shop. Report is now is #4 cylinder failed compression test. Recommend engine replacement. So here we are, a truck well maintained with 100k miles, $1000 worth of recent work, and now with a bad cylinder and in need of an engine replacement. I think I'm done with Ford!

Update from Sep 27, 2016: In to another shop for second opinion. Confirms that #4 cylinder bad and need new engine. Cost for new engine is $5500-8000. Cheaper options avail but still $$. FYI, this engine meticulously maintained, synthetic oil change ever 6000 miles. My first and last Ford. Built tough and Not to last

- R B., San Antonio, TX, US

problem #19

Feb 042015

F-150 Lariat 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 141,237 miles

Rough idle, hard shaking. Engine is misfiring. Had to replace coil and spark plug!

- James L., Columbia, MO, US

problem #18

Nov 042015

F-150 XLT 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

Experienced engine sputtering when I merged into traffic from a stop. It felt like a transmission slipping and misfiring of the engine at the same time(Really weird). I have 82k miles on it and knew I needed a differential fluid service, so I took it to my uncle's mechanic and told them what I was experiencing and they said they would take a look at it and get back to me. Well, apparently the cam phasers are crap and they said that they have seen this before and ultimately I'll need a new engine.

- hunan, Jacksonville, FL, US

problem #17

Oct 012015

F-150 XLT 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

Took a long time to diagnose for some reason. Problem was intermittent but apparently this is a very common prob with this engine. The issue is related to cam phasers, and the solution is an engine replacement. Seems like good money after bad and Ford isn't addressing this big issue so my next truck is going to be a Chevy

- Dave T., Iowa City, IA, US

problem #16

Nov 012014

F-150 King Ranch 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 169,000 miles

Replaced #5 cylinder coil and plug ran great for a month then started again ordered new accell coils all 8 and 8 new plugs and replaced all runs great and has more power.

- Seth M., Florence, SC, US

problem #15

Nov 152010

F-150 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Plain and simple. RECALL these engines. Plenty of people have had the same issues with the engines going bad and people are putting out thousands just to turn around a month later and have the same issues! People driving with children in these vehicles could be affected if the engine decides to blow and causes an accident.

- mrss, Grand Rapids, MI, US

problem #14

Sep 062012

F-150 King R 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 151,000 miles

I was driving my 2005 f 150 king ranch truck back to my home Town when the engine start to surge I took it took it to the dealership next day and they said we are sorry we cant accept your truck as it is old model. Then took it to work shop they told me that # 7 coil at fault. It has been replace a week later same problem comeback again. Back to the shop they told me # 4 coil at fault R/R .10 days later problem comeback again back to the shop and they suggest to R/R all coils and spark plugs done (as they said not sure if they relay did ) so i drove the truck for 2 weeks problem appear again this time i did not took it back to them I said I will do it my self. Now I had new coils and spark plug in hand I remove coils and I am afraid to remove the spark plugs after what I read about they break off when removed the question should I R/R the coils alone and ignore the spark plugs? the truck in my garage for 3 weeks now.

- Moosa A., Jamaica, NY, US

problem #13

May 252012

F-150 FX4 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,400 miles

Misfire on cyl.# 4. No codes or (CEL) came up right away. Drove from Turlock to Calaveras Big Trees and truck was bucking and surging. After getting back to Turlock, CEL came on and I connected an OBD2 code reader to port. Misfire on Cyl.# 4. Cleared code, replaced # 4 COP Coil over Plug. Have not had any problems with misfire yet. I mean "Yet". I'm selling the truck as soon as I install the new window regulator. Yes, It also failed.

- rockysanderson, Turlock, CA, US

problem #12

Jul 092010

F-150 FX4 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

FUEL INJECTOR FOR #7 CYLINDER STUCK OPEN CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BURN EXCESSIVE FUEL. WHEN I SHUT IT OFF AND LATER RESTARTED IT HYDRAULICED AND BENT CONNECTING ROD

- rotor12, Corning, NY, US

problem #11

Nov 022010

F-150 Lariatt 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 178,000 miles

My 05 Lariat has engine jerking occasionally, and one or two times a week it works on a few cylinders only (seconds/minutes) and goes away when brought to the mechanic.

No lights on dashboard.

My mechanic had changed; Spark Plugs, fuel Filter, Decarbonized Engine, and it worked fine for a couple of days. Now it's back and no one has a clue of what needs to take another step. Another problem is 4x4 switching to 4x2, it makes strange noises especially when I accelerate, in front end (???)

PS. The engine had been running on Synthetic Oil since new, and it consumes about a quart every 650 miles (Normal?) Switched to High Mileage and it gives me about a 1000 m (??)

- Robert P., Newington, CT, US

problem #10

Sep 092010

F-150 XL 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

Yet again... back to the SHOP!!!!!! Now it is the number 5 plug fowling out. Will it never end? I think I may have to be done with fords in the future. Which is hard for me since I have always been a ford guy.

- birchfield, Tacoma, WA, US

problem #9

Aug 052010

F-150 XL 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

In the shop again. now I have a blown fuel injector. ( number 7 injector)

- birchfield, Tacoma, WA, US

problem #8

Nov 152009

F-150 XL 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles

The thing just had a lot of trouble starting. cold hot it didnt matter. first the dealership told me it was the fuel, later that it was a bad coil.

- birchfield, Tacoma, WA, US

problem #7

Aug 082010

(reported on)

F-150 ES 4.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

wow had no idea so many others have same problem. also on my second coil that i had to purchase.Guess what starting to miss going up hills. Was hoping this would be my last truck for a while.

- Kirk C., Urbanaoh, OH, US

problem #6

Dec 202009

F-150 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,000 miles

I have a 2006 f150. the fuel injector stuck open- leading to hydrolock and a bent connecting rod. this pickup has only 29,000 miles on it. Ford's dealer's solution was to replace engine for $ 8,000. I am still trying to talk to factory rep about the problem.

- gregca, Ukiah, CA, US

problem #5

Jan 042010

F-150 Lariat 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

I can't believe how many people have the same problems with this vehicle! (Windows, coils, etc etc. Replaced the coil and plug! Still having the shaking!!! Last Ford for me!

- leomende, Compton, CA, US

problem #4

May 292009

F-150 XLT 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Took the truck to the shop (it was running a little rough) They replaced all my spark plugs and two injectors also reset the computer. I picked it up and stalled at the first red light. drove a little further and everything went to sh*t and started smelling fuel.

Took it back Monday first of June and they have had it now two weeks. When i took it back i gave them all the fault codes and they told me that was from the mechanic trouble shooting (I was right there when he reset the catches also the light did not come on for a few miles down the road)

The computer has been replaced two modules they have checked all the wiring and still have no clue- they also done compression check and everything seems ok but still getting a random misfire on 1,3,7,8,and 4 cylinders.

this is the last time i will ever buy a ford. My wife's Nissan pathfinder has 100,000 more miles on it and has not had any problem except normal wear and tear.

- Tony H., Sanford, NC, US

Read the next 3 complaints »