8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,770
Average Mileage:
58,000 miles
Total Complaints:
38 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (28 reports)
  2. replaced electronic throttle body (5 reports)
  3. problem solved (2 reports)
  4. replaced bad valves installed at the factory (2 reports)
  5. replace battery (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

problem #38

Feb 012020

F-150 XLT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 168,000 miles

I took my F150 for a tune up and the people at Firestone said that Ford does not know about the problem of my truck shuddering and making noises as I start it. I was told I have to get a new motor. To me, that is bulls***, and they (Ford) should fix the problem without charge. But Ford says I need to buy a new motor.

Update from Dec 3, 2021: I was refused service on my truck by Honolulu ford last year to fix the problem then I was arrested from Honolulu ford and then ford repossessed my truck last year all within 2 months!

- Hunter J., Mililani, HI, US

problem #37

May 012015

F-150 Limited 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

It started a few years back when I was entering the highway, I needed to step on the gas to merge into heavy traffics and all of a sudden the engine started shuttering and the engine light came on. I had to pull over as we lost all power and could not proceed. I took it to my dealer and they were aware that sometime the turbos collect condensation and shut down on heavy acceleration. Nothing was ever done as issue at time could not be duplicated. This has been going on ever since. I'm also experiencing a heavy rattling noise during initial daily start up coming from the timing chain. I mentioned this to the dealer but it now out of warranty.

I love my truck (cost a lot of money) but not willing to spend $1000's for repairs as Ford is aware of both issues and will not issue repair.

This is my 5th Ford but maybe time to move on.

- Bob H., Coral Springs, US

problem #36

Feb 282019

F-150 FX4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Ford is telling me I need to replace all sorts of things (long block and turbos) to the tune of $11,000! This is absolutely ridiculous for a vehicle that always had oil changes, etc... I have never in my life heard of a repair costing ELEVEN THOUSAND dollars!!

- Monica R., Richmond, TX, US

problem #35

Jun 012018

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • 152,000 miles

click to see larger images

engine shudder and loss of power

Valves burnt in cylinders 5 and 6, intermittent engine code. Ford wouldn’t help, even with third party warranty. Somehow, this also wrecked the camshaft actuators causing more down time.

- Ryan R., Union, NJ, US

problem #34

May 152018

F-150 FX4 3.5L Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,365 miles

IT SEEMS FORD'S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS THE CONSUMERS. WE REPORT THE PROBLEMS BUT THE END RESULT IS IT COMES OUT OF OUR POCKET TO DO THE FIXES!

- Johnny M., Lenoir City, US

problem #33

Sep 172018

F-150 FX4 4WD 3.2L V6 Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

It's hard to believe that with so many complaints and similar problems over mulitple models AND years, that Ford hasn't even presented a single remedy for their issue. Whether it's a recall or an extended warranty, Ford should have given it's customers something to fix the throttle body issue, especially when the symptoms involve something as dangerous as a sudden loss of power and speed. If this would have happened on the freeway, things could have been really bad. Ford needs to step up and present a solution to this wide spread problem.

- Matt T., Riverton, UT, US

problem #32

Mar 152018

F-150 FX4 5.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

click to see larger images

engine shudder and loss of power engine shudder and loss of power engine shudder and loss of power engine shudder and loss of power

Mid to late March this truck started running a little rough, so I took this truck to C.Wimberly Ford for a simple tune up. This thing has been babied since the day I took delivery.

A couple of hours after we dropped it off, the service manager calls and tells me there is a huge problem with the valve train, and he recommends a new engine to the tune of $11,000. My instructions were "Rebuild the top end" since they found what I was lead to believe was a "part gone bad". They instantly complained that parts were not readily available and this would take 10-14 days and that was considered a generous time and parts estimate of $8000.

So we waited, and waited. No word from anyone when this repair would be finished. Enough is enough! After calling around - I managed to find a reputable custom shop with some open rack time, that would take over where C.Wimberly Ford's Epic Fail left off. 5-3-2018 After eating $1800 worth of parts they had ordered for this science project, I had my truck hauled out of the C.Wimberly Ford dealership. I did discover they had left my valve cover off the entire time it was sitting outside (6 weeks) waiting for parts that were never going to show up anyway. This is the action of either a "Novice" mechanic, unworthy of the position, or a service manager with a pout on. I was a journeyman mill mechanic 30 years, this type of action looks more like sabotage to me.

Since sales are in the commode - Fords new corporate mandate - "Anyone on our property, who isn't spending $50,000 on a new vehicle, will spend $10,000 in our garage"! The service manager only became nice, when I pulled out my Midland video recorder, and communicated I wanted all my parts "undamaged". So look for an update here in the near future about this vehicle once I find out what's really wrong with it, and have it corrected - and I'll even reveal the shop I took it to.

Update from Sep 3, 2018: While Ford tried to sell me a new engine for $11,000 - The Root Cause of my engine problems was 3 out of the 4 valves on the #7 Cylinder were bad from the factory. Ford attempted to sell me 1 - $8000 new head to solve the problem, I opted to put my journeymans card to work and correct the problem myself. In the end, I had BOTH Heads reconditioned for the cost of $865.07. The truck is back on the road, and runs better than it did when it was purchased new in 2013.

- Douglas W., Buchanan, US

problem #31

Jul 122018

F-150 XLT 3.5L V6, Eco

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,034 miles

This is the second time this has occurred. Ford still has not taken responsibility for this ongoing, dangerous problem.

We often travel pulling a travel trailer. I no longer feel secure with the Ford F150 Ecoboost.

- patmcdowell, wimberley, US

problem #30

Mar 302017

F-150 XLT 3.5L V6, Eco

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

This problem occurred while I was pulling a travel trailer creating a very dangerous situation. Was able to restart truck and limp to Ford dealer where they replaced the throttle body. Did not cover under existing warranty. Truck had 55,000 miles at the time.

- patmcdowell, wimberley, US

problem #29

Jun 022018

F-150 XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

Driving home in a residential area the wrench light came on and I lost power and could feel the engine running very rough. I coasted to the shoulder and turned the vehicle off (hoping it was an electrical issue). Started the truck back up and it started back up and ran just fine on the way home.

Update from Jun 5, 2018: This has happened two additional times since then. I took it in to my local shop, who I must say are some really good guys, and was informed I needed a new Electronic Throttle Body at $500 to fix the issue. It is currently at the shop getting replaced with hopes this takes care of the problem, however, after researching online I worry this is going to continue with other ford owners.

- Erik J., Sheridan, WY, US

problem #28

Nov 232017

F-150 Limited 3.5L V6 Eco

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,992 miles

This was the second time my truck lost power and went into limp mode. Again I thought this was just a random one time event.

- Mario L., kleinburg, ON, Canada

problem #27

Jan 162018

F-150 Limited 3.5L V6 Eco

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,070 miles

I was driving down the highway on my way to work. Hit about 1800rpm in 6th gear when my engine light started flashing, trick went into limp mode and starting shaking like crazy, as if i were offroading. This proceeded to happen about 10+ on my 25 min drive. gradually getting worse and worse. My truck cannot go over 80km/hr with this happening. nor can i rev the engine at all past 1800 rpm. Getting diagnostics done at ford on monday.

The next morning engine light was steadily on with an engine code p0302 (cylinder 2 misfire) .

Whats scary was, this happened to my friends ecoboost engine exactly. Problem=coolant leaked into cylinder chamber. It's a ford problem they know about. its a design flaw. He had his entire engine rebuilt with a whole new long block installed. Don't let ford trick you. They know what the problem is. Its an ecoboost design flaw.

- Mario L., kleinburg, ON, Canada

problem #26

Jul 202017

F-150 Limited 3.5L V6 Eco

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,458 miles

I was driving up a steep country road. I pressed the accelerator more to compensate for the loss of momentum up the hill, when my engine light came on flashing, lost power to my vehicle for about 10 seconds (limp mode) and then promptly returned to normal.I didn't think anything of it.

- Mario L., kleinburg, ON, Canada

problem #25

Oct 252017

F-150 XLT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I am tired of dealing with this problem and don’t dare drive it until I can get it into a dealer. I cannot take a chance on towing my camper. Really has me upset to have problems with only 80,000 miles!

- debbiebaker, Ocklawaha, US

problem #24

Sep 192017

F-150 FX4 3.5L Eco Boost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 148,000 miles

I have had this problem alot. Go to get on the gas and the engine shutter and check engine light comes on. I have replaced all plugs and coil packs which helped alot at first. Then the problem happend again. The check engine light goes off for a period of time but always comes back on. Took it to check what codes were coming up with the check engine light but it has to be on. Took my truck out on the road and got on the gas hard to make light come on. Once back to part store they hooked up cpu to the truck and the O2 sensor was throwing a code as well as the turbo wasnt charging enough. I havent got the 2 things fixed yet but hoping they will fix the problem. The O2 can really cause misfires and shutters. Its getting fixed soon so hopefully I can let you all know. If you want them to hook up the cpu but the check engine light is off it wont show anything. So take your truck and get on the gas to force it on and then take it back. Thanks guys.

- Trey W., Wartburg, US

problem #23

Sep 162017

F-150 King Ranch 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

  1. F150 Eco-boost, King Ranch. Crew Cab.

    Over the past two weeks or so, when I turned my truck on, it made a strange noise when starting. I didn't think anything of it. Then on Saturday, 8am, I drove the truck for about 5 minutes and the acceleration stopped and the check engine light came on as the truck slowed to a stop. When coming to a stop, the truck made a shuddering noise and the whole truck shook. I turned the truck off quickly, checked the oil, etc.. I waited about five minutes and started the truck again, checked my gauges and everything seemed OK. After about ten minutes, the truck did the same thing.

    I took the truck to the dealership immediately, and they did a diagnoses (drove the truck for 17 miles) and couldn't find anything wrong with it. They asked me if I wanted to let them try again to see what the problem was. Of course, I wanted to avoid high "labor" costs (85/hr to take my truck around the block), so I refused.

    I am going to bring my truck to my friend and see if he can find anything wrong with it.

- Joseph D., Rockville, US

problem #22

May 232016

F-150 Lariat 3.5L Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,567 miles

During a "hard" acceleration, the engine shudders, the check engine light starts to flash and the truck goes into a "limp mode" for about 30 to 40 seconds. By the way, this is the fourth time this problem has happened with my F150. The first time it happened I took it to the Ford dealer and they said the #1 cylinder misfired and it was due to the spark plugs. They changed all six spark plugs and they performed a software update to the system. At this point my F150 had 45,000 miles (approximately). A week later during a hard acceleration, the engine shuddered, the check engine light started to flash and the truck went into a limp mode. I took it back to the Ford dealer and this time they told me it was the MAF sensor. The first two visits cost me about $500. A week or two later, the same problem happened again, but I opted not to take back to the dealer. I had to learn to not accelerate so hard and to provide ample room when merging onto the highway. I love this truck, but I hate the engine.

- William W., Mount Pleasant Mills, PA, US

problem #21

Jan 112017

F-150 XLT Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

Went to pass another vehicle, and lost power. I stopped and restarted and it cleared up. A few weeks later, while pulling a long hill on an interstate hwy, cruising at 70, it lost power, engine light came on. I restarted but there is still a rumbling misfire, low power and the engine light remained lit. going in for service. will post the results.

- Scott E., Caneadea, NY, US

problem #20

Feb 132017

F-150 LX 3.6L Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

The electronic Throttle Body (ETB) caused the truck to lose power and go into "Limp Home" mode. Very dangerous in traffic- managed to get to the side of the road without an accident by pure luck.

- Don S., Granada Hills, CA, US

problem #19

Aug 132016

F-150 FX4 3.5ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,939 miles

Tried passing a car last weekend with my wife and dog in the truck and as I started passing the car, the engine light came on and the truck lost power and then momentum. I tried to keep going to get around the car, but lost enough speed that the car ended up (not knowing what I was doing) passing me and I ducked in behind it to avoid the oncoming vehicle that came.

This is actually the second time it happened now. The first time was just accelerating and it happened, but the light went away after I shut the truck down and restarted.

Now my engine light is still on. Going into to get it checked but want people to know that this could be life endangerment! Scary thought to know this has happened to others and Ford hasn't stepped up to the plate. Only 37K on the truck and it's trying to kill me and my family.

Anyone know who to contact at Ford to get them to pay for the fix?

- Joel R., Dalton, MN, US

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