Im looking to purchase another F-150. I’m torn between the 3.5 and 5.0. Seems the 3.5 is hit or miss reliability wise with timing chains and such. I haven’t heard much about the 5.0. Is there any common problems with them? Are they pretty much good to go engine wise? I’m looking at a 2015 super crew xlt with a build date of 04/2015

 

I have a 3.5eco I took delivery of new 4/15. It has been flawless. Granted it's not my DD and only has 31K miles on it...

Reading here on the forum since joining 9/15 I don't believe I've seen any issues with the 5.0 built around that time frame. They have been solid. If the engine has been serviced/maintained, I wouldn't have any hesitation picking up a 5.0 from that time frame. IMO they're probably some of the most dependable 5.0's on the road.

 

Ive got a 5.0L from 2015 with 80k miles and no issues with the motor, or the 6sp.

 

I have one and the only thing that comes to mind is there's a TSB out for a transmission squawk during a 6th-3rd or 5th-3rd gear downshift. Not an engine problem per se, but only an issue with the 6 speed when connected to the 5.0L. There was a TSB to add friction modifier to make it stop, then one to completely disassemble the transmission and install a new overdrive clutch with a different material that supposedly wouldn't squawk. However, if you find the related thread on here, you will find that both "fixes" have had mixed results. I decided to do neither, as neither was 100% successful and I can live with the noise, and I think that both TSBs have the potential to do more harm than good. However, when it squawks, it does sound like the transmission is going to fall out of the truck lol. I think it only impacts the 5.0L because it's the only engine with a "transmission oil heater", that uses engine coolant to warm up the trans. fluid. Due to this, the trans. fluid gets up to 190+ deg year-round on every drive, and it only makes the squawk when warmed up and the fluid is thinned out. I don't think the trans. oil gets that hot during normal driving without the trans. oil warmer, so it doesn't squawk with the other engines. My hypothesis is that those clutches don't like the very thin fluid when fully warmed up, hence the "friction modifier" TSB to try to thicken the fluid up.

 

mine built 4/15 had the downshift clunk this was fixed with a software reprogram.. been perfect since then.

 

That's a different issue and I don't think it's specific to the 5.0L . I had the harsh downshift issue as well and the TSB to reprogram the shift logic worked for me as well. The issue I was talking about isn't a downshift clunk, it's a very audible squawk when downshifting from OD to 3rd gear only.

 

Same. Just had the IWE's, solenoid, vacuum lines and check valve replaced under powertrain warranty with 49,000 miles...I have 50,480 now. Build date 01/15.

 

76k on mine and not a single issue with the 5.0! I’m very happy with it.

 

I had 85k on my 2015 before it was stolen. I loved it. The sound was awesome. My new 2017 has the 3.5 EcoBoost. It doesn't have the sound but the torque is nice. Actually I think it's a little better than the 5.0.

 

Cam phaser failure on the 5.0 is still a big problem, search “ lariat rough idle “ on here 36 pages of cam phaser failures mostly on the 2015 2016 5.0