7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,200
Average Mileage:
62,450 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. still the same (3 reports)
  3. see tsb 16-0027 (2 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

problem #9

Feb 162024

F-150 XLT 3.5L Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 148,000 miles

I have had nothing but problems with the emission starting with the ticking then a check engine light. I had the O2 sensors replaced three times then the replaced cat then did the timing chain replacement. I have spent over 10,000 in the last year to keep this running Ford has had nothing but issues with timing chains.

Now after all this the ticking is back and check engine light is back on with a code of PO430 same code after it has been replaced.

I called Ford and the guy said there is no recall regarding the ticking and now I see there is a TSB out there. Of course he lied. I was told to trade it in and let someone else deal with the problem.

- Marty K., Waukesha, US

problem #8

Jun 262018

F-150 Lariat 5.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,788 miles

This ticking problem seems to be a long outstanding problem in which some Ford Dealers say is NORMAL for the Coyote 5.0 Motor 2011-2014. I have done a lot of research an I believe that the motor heads which are flagging this problem as a main bearing problem are right.

My symptom is ticking only after the F150/Coyote motor warms up. The ticking gets louder the warmer the truck gets. I have tried liquid Moly and other valve train additives with no success. The Coyote motors have overhead cams so instead of lifters they have tappets. It would make sense that excessive tapping would come from the tappets but when the oil additives did not fix the problem I decided to adopt the Crank Shaft bearings theory.

To cheaply prove the theory without taking the lower engine apart, I added Engine Restore to my last oil change and the ticking went away. Engine restore is almost the opposite of the valve chattering additives as it coats bearings and piston walls forming a film. This film is making up for the bearings being prematurely warn for one reason or another.

If you are like me, and cannot afford to have someone replace your main bearings, try adding Engine Restore to your oil and see if it makes a difference.

- Peter M., Floral Park, NY, US

problem #7

Mar 012018

F-150 5.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

5.0 L engine ticks. They tell me cam bearings are making this happen. Had truck one year now.

- Bob R., Sioux City, IA, US

problem #6

Mar 012017

F-150 XLT 3.5L V6 Eco-Boost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,894 miles

Vehicle has developed a 'ticking' noise after a cold start (sitting 6 hrs or more). Apparently Ford has been aware of this problem for some time, but has not issued a recall on a known defect in their engine (they have published 3 TSB's: 14-0194; 15-0131 and 16-0027), The cost to repair is enormous: 18.5 hours in labour alone, PLUS the cost of parts. Criminal!

- Ronald N., Longbow Lake, ON, Canada

problem #5

Mar 132017

F-150 XLT 5.0

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,102 miles

I have a ticking noise coming from the passenger side of the engine. The info I have been receiving is not good. I have heard from a Ford engineer that they had some concerns with this engine. There is no noise at start up but once it gets warms it starts ticking. A friend of mine had the same thing. Started with a ticking and he just had the engine replaced. The cylinder was badly scored. I going through the Canadian Warranty Office right now I will keep posting.

Update from May 2, 2017: So I took my truck to my local Ford dealer with a ticking noise. They found the cylinder that the ticking noise came from and sent a camera in through spark plug hole and found scoring on the cylinder wall. Since my truck was under 100,000km they replaced the engine under warranty. I also had a humming noise coming from the rear end so they replaced the crown and pinion. My dealership and Fords stepped up to the plate and there was no cost to me.

- cmmguy, Cottam, ON, Canada

problem #4

Jan 042017

F-150 XLT 3.5L Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,500 miles

sounds like noise is coming from the cam shaft and cam phaser area. occurs daily at start up or when weather is cold.

- John B., Strawn, TX, US

problem #3

Jan 052015

F-150 SLT 5.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,302 miles

The ticking started early after I purchased the truck didn't really notice it. It slowly got worse and after I changed the spark plugs it got really bad. It was put on the scanner we get a misfire cyclinder number 8. the mechanic I work with has found one other truck with the same cylinder failure but worse of a knock. I have tried injector cleaner, oil treatments valve metic etc. changed oil early nothing has fixed the issue.

- John B.,

problem #2

Aug 202014

F-150 XLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

Was told its normal by the dealer and didn't even write it up to get it checked

- Artur W., Chicago, IL, US

problem #1

Jan 012012

F-150 STX 5.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150 miles

took this F 150 back several times & told them that "it`s embarrassing" & it sounds worse then a diesel--

NOT just the dealer I bought it off of--BUT ANOTHER

It will be interesting ---if I try to trade it in-----then the "dealers" complain about it-----then S__T will hit the fan

Update from Apr 6, 2017: Still "ticking" at over 100,000 miles

" embarrassing as hell [everyone always says "better check ur oil"

- Carl R., Sidell, IL, US