The F-150 is a durable truck, but the year and engine decide which problems you are likely to see. On 2015-2020 trucks, the issues to ask about are 3.5L EcoBoost cam phaser rattle, oil use on the 2018-2020 5.0L V8 and brake fluid leaking into the booster. On 2021-2022 trucks, check the 2.7L and 3.0L intake valve recall. Run the VIN through NHTSA before you buy or pay for an engine repair.
Palm Beach County has a lot of F-150s: contractor trucks on Congress Avenue, lifted weekend trucks at the beach and plenty of Lariats and Platinums used as family cars. Because Ford sells so many, parts are easy to find and independent shops know these trucks well. The catch is that the F-150 has had four main engine families since 2011, and each one has its own failure pattern.
RepairPal rates the F-150 3.5 out of 5 for reliability and ranks it 7th of 17 full-size trucks. Owners spend about $788 a year on repairs, compared with $936 for the average full-size truck, and they make about 0.28 unscheduled shop visits a year. Fifteen percent of those repairs are severe, a bit better than the 18 percent truck average.
In practice, a well-kept F-150 is cheap to run until it reaches a known weak point: the timing system on the 3.5L EcoBoost, oil control on the 2018-2020 5.0L, or a safety recall that was never done. This page lists those problems by year so you can tell which ones apply to your truck.
Ford F-150 generations
Fourteenth generation
2021-presentIntroduced the PowerBoost hybrid, offered only as a SuperCrew. For 2027, Ford replaces the 2.7L with a 3.0L EcoBoost V6. Early 2021-2022 2.7L trucks are part of the intake valve recall.
Thirteenth generation
2015-2020The first aluminum-body F-150, built on a steel frame. The 3.5L EcoBoost was redesigned for 2017 and gained the 10-speed. For 2018 the 10-speed went to every engine except the 3.3L V6.
Twelfth generation
2009-2014Steel body. The 2011 engine change brought the first 3.5L EcoBoost and the 5.0L Coyote. These trucks are now cheap to buy, but most have high mileage and some have rust underneath.
Known Ford F-150 problems by year
Cold-start cam phaser rattle on the 3.5L EcoBoost
Right after a cold start, you hear a rattle from the front of the engine that lasts a few seconds. Ford's first answer was a PCM reprogram under Customer Satisfaction Program 21B10, which it paused in April 2021 after reports that the new calibration could cause a shudder. If software does not cure it, the repair is new phasers and a timing set. Ask Ford whether your VIN qualifies for any program before you pay for this.
Guide: What is that knocking noise coming from my engine?Excessive oil consumption on the 5.0L V8
Ford bulletin 19-2365 covers 5.0L trucks that use more than a quart of oil in 3,000 miles with no visible leak. Ford blames high intake vacuum when the engine cuts fuel during deceleration, which pulls oil past the valve guides and PCV system. The fix is a PCM reprogram, a new dipstick and an oil change. A class action says the cause is the rings and cylinder coating, and some owners report the problem continued after the fix.
Guide: Blue smoke from the exhaust: is my car burning oil?Brake master cylinder leaking into the booster
A seal in the master cylinder can let brake fluid leak into the vacuum booster. The fluid level drops, a warning light may come on, and the pedal can go soft or travel further. Ford has filed four recall campaigns for this fault, each covering a different range of build dates. If the brake fluid warning comes on, take it seriously.
Guide: Why does my brake pedal feel soft or spongy?Broken intake valves on 2.7L and 3.0L EcoBoost engines
Under recall 24V-635, intake valves can break while you drive, which ruins the engine and cuts power. The dealer runs an engine cycle test and replaces the engine if it fails. A ticking or misfire on a 2021 or 2022 2.7L truck should go to the dealer first.
Guide: Why does my engine idle rough or shake at a stop?Unexpected downshifts on the 6-speed automatic
On some 2011-2013 trucks, a lost signal can make the transmission drop into first gear at any speed (19V-075). A newer recall (26V-237) covers 2015-2017 trucks where the range sensor signal can drop out and force a downshift into second. A sudden rear-wheel lurch or chirp at speed is a safety issue, not a drivability complaint.
Guide: Why does my car shift hard or late?Rear axle hub bolts on Max Trailer Tow trucks
Trucks with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package use a 3/4-float rear axle whose hub bolts can fatigue and break, damaging the hub splines. Ford recalled 2021-2023 trucks under 23V-896 and 2023-2025 trucks under 25V-512. Towing heavy boats from local ramps is exactly the use that wears on these parts.
Guide: Humming noise that gets louder with speed: is it a wheel bearing?Notable recalls
- 24V-635 (2021-2022 (2.7L and 3.0L EcoBoost)): Intake valves can break and cause engine failure and loss of drive power. Dealers run an engine cycle test and replace the engine if needed.
- 20V-332 (2014-2017 (3.5L EcoBoost)): The brake master cylinder can leak fluid into the brake booster. Related campaigns 16V-345, 22V-150 and 25V-236 cover other 2013-2018 build ranges.
- 19V-075 (2011-2013 (6-speed automatic)): The transmission can unexpectedly downshift into first gear regardless of vehicle speed.
- 17V-652 (2015-2017): A kinked door actuation cable or a latch that freezes after water gets in can let a door open while driving even though it looks closed.
- 21V-986 (2021-2022): Loose underbody heat and noise insulators can rub the aluminum driveshaft until it fractures, which can cause a loss of drive power.
- 23V-896 (2021-2023 (Trailer Tow Max Duty)): Rear axle hub bolts can fatigue and break. A follow-up campaign, 25V-512, covers 2023-2025 trucks.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised Ford dealer. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since this list is not complete.
Maintenance that matters
| Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles in Florida use | Full synthetic oil and filter. On a 5.0L, check the dipstick every other fill-up, since the monitor will not warn you about slow oil loss until it is low. |
| Every 10,000 miles | Tire rotation, brake inspection and a check of the brake fluid reservoir level on 3.5L EcoBoost trucks, where a dropping level points to the master cylinder issue. |
| Every 30,000 miles | Engine air filter, and a look at the intercooler and its hoses on EcoBoost trucks for oil residue or loose clamps. |
| Every 60,000 miles | Spark plugs on 2.7L and 3.5L EcoBoost engines. Rear differential fluid if you tow often or launch a boat in salt water. |
| Every 100,000 miles | Spark plugs on the 5.0L V8 and the 3.3L or 3.5L naturally aspirated V6. |
| Every 150,000 miles, sooner if you tow | 10-speed or 6-speed automatic transmission fluid and filter. Trucks that tow regularly in summer heat should be on the severe schedule. |
Confirm against your owner's manual or maintenance minder for your exact year and engine.
Typical Ford F-150 repair costs
| Job | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full synthetic oil change, F-150 | $90-$150 | Price depends on the engine's oil capacity and the oil spec. |
| Cam phasers and timing chains, 3.5L EcoBoost | $2,800-$4,500 | Independent shops are often near the low end; dealer quotes go higher. |
| Brake master cylinder and booster, out of recall | $600-$1,100 | |
| Front pads and rotors | $380-$650 independent, $550-$850 dealer | |
| Rear axle seal and bearing, one side | $450-$800 | |
| Spark plugs, 2.7L or 3.5L EcoBoost | $250-$450 | |
| 10-speed transmission fluid and filter service | $350-$550 | Uses Mercon ULV fluid and needs a temperature-correct level check. |
| Replacement engine, 3.5L EcoBoost, out of warranty | $7,500-$11,000 | Rough range for a remanufactured long block installed. Always check recall and warranty status first. |
Typical South Florida ranges for parts and labor, for budgeting only. Your quote depends on the vehicle and the shop.
Buying a used Ford F-150
- Best value for most buyers: a 2018-2020 truck with the 2.7L EcoBoost or 5.0L V8 and the 10-speed, ideally with service records showing regular synthetic oil changes. On a 5.0L, ask the seller how much oil it uses and whether the 19-2365 reprogram was done.
- Be careful with 2017-2020 3.5L EcoBoost trucks unless the cam phasers and timing set have been replaced with current parts. Start it cold yourself, with the hood open, before you agree on a price.
- On 2021-2022 trucks, confirm that the 24V-635 engine test is done and that driveshaft and axle recalls are closed. A clean NHTSA VIN check matters more on these years than any other.
- A 2011-2014 truck can be a cheap work truck, but check the frame, brake lines and rocker panels for rust, which is common on steel-body trucks from coastal areas. Ask whether the 19V-075 transmission recall was done.
The Florida factor
An aluminum F-150 body does not rust the way steel does, but where steel bolts and brackets touch aluminum panels, salt air can cause galvanic corrosion: white powdery bubbling around the tailgate hinges, bed bolts and door edges. Trucks parked a few blocks from A1A should get a freshwater rinse along the underside of the bed and the wheel lips every couple of weeks.
Summer heat makes the oil use and brake fluid problems harder to spot. A truck baking in a Mizner Park lot runs its oil thinner and hotter, so a 5.0L that burns a quart every 3,000 miles in winter may burn more in August. Check the brake fluid reservoir in the morning before driving, when the engine is cool and the reading is accurate.
After every major storm, flooded trucks from across Florida turn up on used lots with clean-looking interiors. Before buying any F-150, look for silt under the rear seat, rust on seat-mount bolts and moisture in the taillights, and run a vehicle history report that checks for flood brands.
Repair shops near Boca Raton
- Boca Auto Fix4301 Oak Circle, Boca Raton, FL, 33431
- Element, Pickup trucks and trailer repair3120D Northwest 16th Terrace, Pompano Beach, FL, 33064
- Europen Auto Service CentreParkland, FL
- Ferrari of Boca Raton6403 W Rogers Cir, Boca Raton, FL, 33487
- FirestonePompano Beach, FL
- Firestone1259 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL, 33432
Ford F-150 FAQ
Which F-150 engine is the most reliable?
Owners and shops generally rate the 5.0L V8 as the simplest, but 2018-2020 versions can use oil. The 2018 and later 2.7L EcoBoost has a good record outside the 2021-2022 intake valve recall. The 3.5L EcoBoost is strong but more expensive when its timing system wears.
How much oil use is too much on a 5.0L F-150?
Ford's bulletin uses more than a quart in 3,000 miles with no leak as the threshold for excessive. If yours uses that much, ask a Ford dealer to document it so you have a record if the problem continues.
Does my F-150 have open recalls?
Enter the 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The search shows only open safety recalls for that truck. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer with no age or mileage limit.
Is a 2021 F-150 PowerBoost hybrid expensive to maintain?
Routine maintenance costs about the same as a 3.5L EcoBoost truck. Repairs to the hybrid battery and generator system are usually a dealer job, so keep the hybrid warranty paperwork with the truck.
Can I tow a boat with any F-150?
Towing capacity depends on engine, axle ratio, cab and bed. Use the tow rating on the door sticker and in the owner's guide for your exact truck, not a generic number from an ad.
Guides for Ford F-150 owners
More for Ford owners: Ford owner's guide
- Wikipedia: Ford F-Series (thirteenth generation), engines and transmissions
- Wikipedia: Ford F-Series (fourteenth generation), engines by year
- Ford TSB 19-2365: 2018-2020 F-150 5.0L excessive oil consumption
- Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21B10 supplement: 2017-2020 F-150 3.5L cam phaser rattle
- RepairPal: Ford F-150 reliability and annual repair cost
General information, not a diagnosis. A car problem can have causes a guide cannot see, so have anything safety-related inspected in person. Read our editorial policy.