Ford F-150: common faults & what to check

Which Ford F-150 are you looking at?

2 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Petrol

1 variant documented

2015–now13th2015–now13th5.0 V8 petrolPetrolDocumented issues3 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Kevauto via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Fuel not stated

1 variant documented

2015–now13th2015–now13th3.5 twin-turbo V6Fuel not statedDocumented issues3 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Kevauto via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Ford F-150

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Ford F-150 before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Serious issue

  Cold-start the engine and listen for front-end rattle.

  See why

  EcoBoost 3.5T Timing Chain Stretch and Guide Wear

  The first-generation 3.5L EcoBoost uses a wet-belt-in-oil timing system with plastic guides that wear prematurely on high-mileage or infrequently serviced engines. Stretched chains produce a rattle on cold start that disappears as oil pressure builds. Failure to address leads to timing jumps and catastrophic engine damage. NHTSA received multiple complaints on 2011-2013 units. Common on NZ grey-imports with uncertain service histories.

  What you would notice

  • Cold-start rattle from front of engine, clearing within 30 seconds
  • Check engine light with camshaft timing codes (P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019)
  • Rough running or reduced power at high RPM
  • Oil consumption accelerating alongside chain noise

  Typically $2,800–$5,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Cold-start listen for front-of-engine rattle.

  See why

  2.7L EcoBoost Timing Chain Cold-Start Rattle

  The 2.7L EcoBoost (Gen 2, introduced 2015) has a documented cold-start timing chain rattle caused by inadequate oil pressure reaching the chain tensioners on startup, particularly at low temperatures. The rattle typically lasts 5-30 seconds before oil pressure builds. Prolonged operation without repair results in chain stretch and guide wear. Extensively documented on F150Forum and the subject of owner campaigns in the US; relevant to NZ/AU importers of 2015-2020 Gen 2 trucks.

  What you would notice

  • Rattling from engine on cold start, clearing as oil pressure rises
  • P0016/P0017 camshaft correlation codes
  • Occasional rough cold idle

  Typically $2,500–$5,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Listen for cam phaser rattle on cold start, scan for misfire and VCT codes, and ask about any phaser or intake cleaning history.

  See why

  3.5 EcoBoost carbon buildup / cam phaser rattle

  The F-150's 3.5 EcoBoost suffers intake valve carbon buildup and cam phaser rattle on cold start. Phaser rattle can indicate wear needing phaser and timing work; carbon causes misfires and rough running.

  What you would notice

  • Cam phaser rattle on cold start
  • Rough idle / misfires
  • Reduced power
  • Check engine light

  Typically $500–$5,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Test drive at highway speed under light throttle to feel for shudder.

  See why

  10R80 10-Speed Automatic Harsh and Delayed Shifts

  The 10R80 10-speed automatic fitted to 2017+ F-150s has a documented history of harsh engagement, shudder on light throttle, and hunting between gears under cruise conditions. Ford issued multiple TSBs (including 18-2347 and 19-2064) with TCM recalibrations. Some units required valve body or torque converter replacement. The issue is persistent enough that class-action litigation was filed in the US. NZ importers of 2017-2020 F-150s frequently report the condition.

  What you would notice

  • Harsh or clunky downshift under light braking
  • Shudder or vibration between 60-100 km/h under light throttle
  • Transmission hunting between gears on flat road cruise
  • Delayed engagement from stop

  Typically $500–$4,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check for TSB 14-0090 in service history.

  See why

  EcoBoost 3.5T Intercooler Condensation Water Ingestion

  The 3.5L EcoBoost intercooler accumulates condensation during cold-soak cycles. On restart, pooled water is drawn into the intake and ingested into cylinders, causing misfires and in severe cases hydrolock. Ford issued TSB 14-0090 addressing the condition via revised intercooler drain and updated calibration. A known failure mode on NZ-imported examples that sit overnight in cold or damp conditions.

  What you would notice

  • Cold-start misfires, especially after overnight soak
  • Rough idle clearing after a few minutes
  • P0300-P0306 misfire codes at startup
  • Water expelled from exhaust on cold start

  Typically $350–$1,200 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check the lower hose clamp and hose condition.

  See why

  Degas Bottle Cap and Coolant Hose Coolant Loss

  The 3.5L EcoBoost degas (coolant reservoir) bottle is prone to hairline cracks and the pressure cap fails to seat correctly under repeated heat cycles, causing slow coolant loss. The lower degas hose also develops weeps where it clamps onto the plastic bottle neck. Loss of coolant in a turbocharged engine can lead to overheating and head gasket damage if not caught early. Widely reported on both US forums and by NZ mechanics servicing grey-import F-150s.

  What you would notice

  • Low coolant warning light
  • Coolant smell from engine bay after running
  • Visible weeping or staining around degas bottle or lower hose
  • Reservoir level dropping between services

  Typically $300–$850 to put right.

Ford F-150 service schedule

What falls due, and at what distance, for each generation of the Ford F-150. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Ford F-150’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Timing Chain Replacement Cost

Other Ford models