Is Your Ford F-150 a Lemon?

Ford F-150 Transmission Problems

EcoBoost Engine

Your 2021-2024 Ford F-150 may be equipped with either a third generation, EcoBoost 2.7 LV6 or 3.5L V6 engine, replacing the second generation version. Along with having direct injection combined with port injection, variable valve timing, and a turbo, these new engines have auto Start/Stop technology as well. This new version is installed in the F-150, the Expedition, and Navigator.

The idea behind the Ecoboost engine is to attempt to deliver all the power of a v-8, while providing the fuel economy and emissions of a v-6 engine. While this sounds great on paper, the reality is, all this technology, plus the additional turbos puts a lot of strain on the electrical and ignition system. Spark plug and coil failure could occur due to this additional strain.

Some other issues we are seeing with the EcoBoost F-150 are oil consumption, or contamination, which can lead to valve train failure. Sudden loss of power may occur as well, accompanied by a check engine light. If your Ford F-150 sputters, loses power, or shows a warning light on the dashboard, please bring it to the dealership for warranty repairs immediately.

Owners of the Ford F-150 EcoBoost have been experiencing transmission problems such as loss of power, harsh and erratic shifting, and loss of transmission fluid.

Another problem some Ford F-150 EcoBoost owners are reporting is that their truck goes into “limp home mode.”  Various warning lights appear on the dashboard and your truck will either shudder (driving at lower speeds), or go into “limp mode” as you’re attempting to merge into traffic while getting onto the interstate, or accelerating to pass another vehicle. This problem has the potential to cause serious harm to the driver and passengers.

Ford F-150 5.0 V-8 Issues

This small block 5.0 Liter V-8 engine is virtually unchanged since 2018, with 400 HP and 410 lb-ft of torque, bolted to the 10-speed transmission. These engines have been known to have issues with their timing chain tensioners. Initially you may hear a rattle under the hood. As the problem worsens, the car will hesitate, misfire, and eventually the valves may strike the tops of the pistons, causing an engine failure.

These engines are also known for their coolant and engine oil leaking from the head gasket. Please look under your hood and underneath the vehicle periodically, for fluid leaks. If caught early enough, the dealer may be able to just replace the head gaskets, and o-rings. If the leaking goes on long enough the heads will eventually warp, leading to a major engine repair.

If you hear any strange noises coming from under the hood, or notice fluids leaking from your Ford F-150, please bring it to the dealership for warranty repairs. Be sure to demonstrate the issue as well to your service advisor.

Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid Engine Issues

Your Ford F-150 may be equipped with an optional 3.5 Liter PowerBoost V6 Hybrid engine. This twin turbo engine has an additional high voltage 1.5KwH battery pack and 35kW electric motor. This electric motor is powered by your gas motor, with the assistance of a power inverter. This power inverter has been known to overheat the engine compartment, or to raise coolant levels, causing the engine to run in a reduced power mode.

Ford F-150 10R80 10-Speed Transmission

The Ford 10R80 transmission is a collaborative effort between Ford and General Motors, although Ford had the engineering lead on it. Not long after Ford started rolling out F-150s with these transmissions, Chevrolet launched their 2017 Camaro ZL1, also with the 10-speed transmission. It didn’t take long for consumer complaints to start rolling in. This is now the most widely used transmission in both the Ford F Series pickup trucks, and Chevrolet/GMC Pickup trucks.

The main complaints we’re hearing about with the 2019 to 2024 Ford F-150 10-Speed Transmission are that it shifts too hard, gets stuck in gear, or struggles to find a gear.

Other serious problems with the 10R80 F-150 10-speed transmission include:

Ford and General Motors collaborated on the 10-speed transmission for the F-150, although Ford had the engineering lead on it. Not long after Ford started rolling out F-150s with these transmissions, Chevrolet launched their 2017 Camaro ZL1, also with the 10-speed transmission. It didn’t take long for consumer complaints to start rolling in.

Some of the transmission problems with the Ford F-150 10-speed transmission can be found in the Jeep Cherokee 9-speed transmission as well.

If you think your Ford F-150 may be a lemon, the best evidence in making a lemon law claim in California is the repair order(s) and subsequent repair invoice(s) provided to you by the dealership. When you take your car into the dealership for a warranty repair, make sure that:

• your service advisor accurately records your complaints on the repair order
• you do not leave the dealership without a copy of the repair order
• after the repairs have been performed, make sure that the repair invoice actually states what was repaired on your vehicle or what parts were ordered
• you do not sign the repair order until you have read it and you have made sure that what is written on the repair invoice actually matches with what your service advisor told you, and
• never leave the dealership without a final closed out copy of your repair invoice

We may be able to negotiate a better deal than you can negotiate for yourself, but only BEFORE the automobile manufacturer agrees to buy your vehicle back from you. Once you have been offered a buyback by an automobile manufacturer, we cannot step in any longer.

Contact us before you take any action with the manufacturer on your own.

Manufacturers bank on the fact that the average consumer doesn’t know the difference between having the dealer put them into a new car through a “buy back” offer and a lemon law repurchase.

The only entity that can truly buy your car back from you under the California Lemon Law is the automobile manufacturer. A dealership may offer a “buy back” and they may even tell you that they are “buying your car back” under the lemon law, but the dealership does not have that ability. What the dealership is usually doing is a dealer assisted trade-in. This solution does not give you all of the benefits of a lemon law repurchase.

The California Lemon Law is an important tool for consumers who purchase defective vehicles. We are here to help you — FREE OF CHARGE! We have a 100% success rate!

California Residents ONLY.
Year restrictions apply: Model years 2021 – 2025 Only

I was skeptical that I could even get anything back. I had been experiencing the shuddering problem for a long time but always thought it was normal. As soon as I heard about the lemon law which was after 5 years of owning the car, I thought it’d be too late to claim. But contacting Debbie was the best decision I ever made… There was even a mix up with the paperwork between Ford’s attorney and the dealership (which wasn’t Debbie’s fault), but Debbie was quick to act and helped expedite the paperwork with Ford so that I could sort out the car surrender within my limited availability. Even with this minor hiccup by Ford, Debbie handled everything quickly and professionally, and the whole process was smooth sailing.

Debbie is amazing and deserves more than 5 stars! Quick to respond, extremely professional and knowledgeable, explained everything clearly. What’s amazing too is that we worked everything out through email. I had been living abroad so it was a huge convenience to be able to work via email. The process was painless as they really do take care of everything… Even if you’re not sure about your situation, contact Debbie! And if you know you definitely have a case, Debbie will definitely get it done for you with great satisfaction! Thank you Debbie!! My family and I couldn’t be more happier with the result thanks to you! 🙂

Gloria F., Chula Vista, CA
Originally posted on Yelp