My 2018 3.5 XLT just started the deceleration noise, and the truck only has 22K km (13K miles) on it, i taped my GoPro inside the engine compartment to get a better sound of the ticking noise.
Is there a definitive fix from Ford, or the problem comes back with in 10K. I am taking my truck to the dealer tonight so they can tested in the morning with a cold engine.
Also i am thinking about what options i have with this extended engine repair required on a basically new truck, and was serviced at Ford dealer regularly.

At my dealership a Technician drove the Truck for a 6 mile test drive yesterday, and the Service Advisor told me he couldn't replicate the noise and the truck runs fine, now today i have an appointment with the shop Foreman.

Just back from the dealer, after showed the Foreman the video, he immediately sad oh it's a 5.0L there is a fix for that, i sad no it.s 3.5 not a Coyote, so he went and did the Gas pedal + Brake in Drive test, and could here the ticking noise easily, he told me VCT's and Cam Phaser's need to be replaced, but the parts are 2 to 3 weeks on back order, he also mentioned the new parts are the updated ones, hopefully this fixes it for good.

This is my first Ford F150. My previous truck was a GMC Sierra 1500 with 5.3 Ecotec and that truck was as reliable as an anvil even after it had been beat on by UHaul renters. The Toyota Tundra is the most reliable of any full size. It's consistently at the top 2 in JD Power's reliability rating in the past 10+ years. GMC is up there too believe it or not. RAM doesn't even make it up there....EVER.

I have a '19 5.0 Coyote with 25k miles. So far so good. Just the known rear tailight leak. But I'm beginning to worry about that VCT. Hopefully the newer 5.0's are not as troublesome as the older Ecoboosts. Cross fingers but threads like these don't give me comfort.

Well took my '17 in yesterday because of the rattle. Its been doing it for a long time, but has gotten progressively worse over time. I'm at 73K, and the extended warranty runs out at 75K, so I figured I better get it in. Talked to my favorite service advisor, and he knew what I was talking about right away, and said that they have done a lot of them. He checked it out and verified, and then had to get approval from Ford because of the large repair. Approval was granted, but the parts are on back order till the 15th. I would assume with that, I should be getting the newest parts. He says it will take about 2 days for repair.

Sounds great I'd love to know how long the new parts are expected to last. I wonder if they're the same as 2021 parts?

I'm jealous of your dealership. My dealers won’t pre-order any parts and both my vehicles have taken 3-weeks for this repairs to be completed.

I had the cam phasers and timing chains replaced last week and mine is still making this noise. I’m taking it to another dealership tomorrow morning.

The deceleration rattle I believe is a normal thing and doesn't affect durability.

My 2017 Ecoboost is making this sound that’s common on the 5.0L

What's their thinking with that? They want to tear it down, and verify that it needs those parts? Doesn't make any sense to me.

Updated noise
 

I also posted this on my poll thread.

Update: I had phasers changed at least twice now. And after a few months it rattles again. Now there is a new noise, which is NOT produced by letting off the throttle. The noise just starts right up a few moments after starting the engine. I keep up on all my maintenance at Ford dealerships. Took it in again, and they are ordering parts from the new TSB - 20 - 2191. Hoping to get this all resolved before warranty is up. Lots of other problems with this truck though. Just not built as good as other vehicles I've had. Foolishly bought new, so kinda stuck with it.

My 2018 has been twice now. Second time with updated parts. It seems to be running right. My 2017 started last week. Went from running great to coffee can in the morning. Looks like its going in now. 89K on it

Hurray!

I have this exact issue posted in your update video.
I had the phasers replaced back in March, and it started making this sound about a month ago.

For me I noticed it doesn't happen on a cold soak start. but if it starts up and the engine is semi warm it is will start producing that sound.
Initially I thought it was some sort of plastic hitting somewhere, but I watched the engine while it was making this sound and it just didn't make sense.

What did your dealership say about it?

Replaced a noisy solenoid, replaces phasers with updated parts, and replaced timing chain.

Don’t think Ford really knows how to fix this cheaply, but they put lots of parts. A pile of money to get rid of a fairly new vehicle. And then what. More problems from another one. Guess I’m stuck with the ecorattle for a while.

what I don’t get is why there isn’t something aftermarket to address it yet.

After waiting for 8 weeks for the Cam Phasers Parts, my truck finally was fixed last Monday at 25000 Km, and so far engine runs nice, no more ticking at cold deceleration but only time will tell, the dealer performed TSB 20-2315 replaced all 4 VCT's, and reprogramed the PCM, My truck it's a 2018 XLT 3.5EB build Sep 2017 at Kansas City Plant.

Posted this on the 2018 rattle thread a while back. Interesting Ford is not alone...

Makes sense to me. Explains why every time they put in new phasers it’s quiet for a while then starts rattling again.

even with the updated parts.

I have an '18 with the 3.5 EcoBoost and it started to cough and spit and nearly stall at about 38.500 miles. I brought it to the dealer and they ran the codes and placed it under warranty for rattling under cold start and replaced all 4 VCT phasers and changed the oil. I didn't realize they just saved me over three grand in costs! I feel fortunate for the service I got. The TSB saved our pockets! NHTSA TSB 20-2315

Well, finally got the work done with the new TSB and have about 2K on the repair with no rattle, or issues so far! Truck seems a bit more peppy, but I had the Plugs and boots changed out at the same time.

Very interesting! My brother reported that my sister-in-law's Honda CRV had the same issue...

This is exactly why I'm ignoring it. I've also been told Mercedes has a similar problem.

Speedkar99 videos are awesome. Technical and easy to understand and his brother's toothbrush, socks, and underwears always come in handy when he is explaining things. Subscribed.

2021 3.5l
 

Went to a dealership yesterday and did the cold start off-throttle rattle test on a 2021 3.5L. I heard a faint rattle. Nothing near as loud or long as my 2018 but it's definitely there.

Hey guys the waiting game is over for me. Rattle started at 95K and today at 121K I got this. Time to trade I think. Just FYI.

Welp add me to the list of yet again. Cam phasers have been replaced twice so far. Latest fix lasted about 20k miles. Oil always changed at or before 5k miles Any idea if Ford actually has a long term fix (update) for this?

Boy I hope so. I'm awaiting a 2021 and if I have this issue again I'll be very disappointed. Sorry for your troubles.

It's unfortunate, I love this truck but the start up rattle is just embarrassing.

I have a 2019 Platinum with the same rattle. Appointment coming up for diag and then to be placed on a long waitlist for repair...38k miles on the truck and I just bought it. I knew this could be an issues, at least its still under warranty.

I have some tapping at 2000rpm on light load. Has anybody experienced this as a phaser issue?

I never heard that with mine.

I was just reading about the v8 5.0 rattle now the 3.5 rattle too....

2018 F150 w/ 3.5L Ecoboost Cold Start Rattle / Diesel Sound
 

Hey all - I just purchased a second hand 2018 F150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost. The truck clearly demonstrates the cold start rattle for a few seconds when starting after it has sat for a number of hours. It sounds like diesel engine for a few seconds then it goes away after oil pressure gets up to running state. At which point it runs well, pulls good, and doesn't exhibit any concerning issues.

Needless to say the cold start rattle was unnerving once I became aware of it. My truck was at 98,000 km (warranty expires at 100,000 km) so I booked it into Ford service immediately. Glad I did. They performed a diag on the issue and found customer satisfaction program 21B10 & the subsequent Customer Service Program 21N03, both of which my truck qualified for. I was told they did a reprogram of the PCM as suggested in 21B10. Since the issue persisted after the reprogram I was told that they would accept the repairs under 21N03 with full warranty coverage. That job is scheduled to be completed early Aug 2021.

I am grateful for the dealer stepping up and offering to address the issue, and can provide an update once the cam phasers are replaced.

For those of you who suspect you have this problem try this trick he illustrates in the video below and see if it resolved your cold start rattle.I'm not sure I would recommend doing the above rather than getting the fix but it is a good test for you to try.

Here are a few related video's from the Ford Boss Me YouTube channel, a Ford tech reporting on some of this problem. The videos are listed in the order he released them on his channel. See the last video released July 16th 2021 before getting too worked up about the PCM reprogram.

I have a 2017 3.5 that I took to dealer yesterday for the cold start rattle, I received a call today from the tech saying it is indeed the vct issue causing the phaser rattle.

Good news is it’s still under warranty, bad news is it’s going to take 2 - 2.5 week to get the parts! Also they don’t have any loaners on hand right now so I’m going to go pick the truck up as I need it for a camping trip this weekend. Fingers crossed!

Down pin damage
 

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...d42ba29351.jpg
This is the dowel pin from a 2013 ecoboost in a Ford Flex

​​​​​​I got a 13 Taurus with the 3.5 and I. Had a raddle on declaration and took it apart today and the dowel pin is fcked