F150 5.0 Best Years - Issues to be aware of
10-13-2023, 11:35 AM
#1
F150 5.0 Best Years - Issues to be aware of
I am looking to get my son a used 2015+ F150, CCSB (6-1/2), 4x4, 5.0. He's in his last year of high school, so this truck would need to serve him well for at least another 60,000 miles thru 4 years of college.
Wanted to ask you guys what are the best years I should be looking at? What is common mileage the 5.0 engines live to? What are the issues I should be aware of, avoid, etc.
Wanted to ask you guys what are the best years I should be looking at? What is common mileage the 5.0 engines live to? What are the issues I should be aware of, avoid, etc.
10-13-2023, 12:50 PM
#2
2015-2017 5.0 trucks with the 6r80 transmissions are commonly called out as one the most reliable powertrains. The 2018-2020 model years introduce the less proven 10r80 transmission and you get the excessive oil use problem reported on the 5.0. The oil use problem might be fixed or greatly reduced in the 2020 year. I personally own a 2020 2.7 with 10r80 transmission and other than it being clunky it's working fine so far.
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10-13-2023, 02:56 PM
#3
I'm at 70k on my 18 F150 5.0. I do have oil consumption on mine since new, but other than that it has been fine. I tow with it year round and it gets used as a truck. If it is within budget, I'd suggest the 20+ 5.0 engine over the 18/19. I believe the oiling issue is less likely (or doesn't happen) on the later models.
10-13-2023, 02:57 PM
#4
Senior Member
Boy, oh boy can I comment on this one!
After my own exhaustive search for a truck, you are on the right path! I had limited myself to the same criteria - 15-17 5.0L.
I decided on a 2015 for these reasons -
1. Intake manifold - the IMRC issue that these have seems to be a little less prevalent on the '15. I see a lot of '16's with it. Does that mean it won't happen? Hell to the no! Be prepared. The intake is on eternal backorder, my plan is when mine lets go, I'm just locking it out and tuning it out so I'm done with this problem quickly and forever.
2. Sync 2 vs Sync 3 - I would have MUCH preferred Android Auto and Sync 3. But the APIM for the Sync 3 unit seems to like to fail more than the Sync 2. However, the Sync 2 is older, and a bit slower and clunkier to use. I chose reliability - it's still an upgrade from the Sync 1 in my previous truck, so I'm satisfied.
3. R134a vs R1234YF - 2017 trucks are the first year of R1234YF refrigerant, and this stuff costs a good bit more than R134A. I avoided a 2017 truck solely on that fact, as air conditioners do break, and it's typically expensive when they do, so might as well try to head off SOME of that expense.
Reliability/Longevity -
I can't speak to the 15-17 trucks, but I can say that a good friend has a '14 5.0L with a 6R80, and he's at 295,000 miles. All original, we actually towed a car on a trailer 300 miles with it a few weeks ago. Still turned decent mileage, had plenty of power, and didn't complain one bit. As the engine is largely the same in these trucks, with proper maintenance, there's no good reason why you can't go the distance as well.
Noted problems with the engine - the aforementioned IMRC issue, radiator hose O rings, and water pumps. A few folks get the Coyote tick, but by the numbers, it's not very prevalent. My truck has 49K on it now, and it's quiet, and my friend's '14 with almost 300K is JUST as quiet. If you do get the tick, it doesn't seem to bother the engine in the least.
As far as the transmission goes, these are by and large pretty well built transmissions. You will see a few lead frame failures in this gen truck, but if you get a truck that has under 60K on it, change the trans fluid, and keep it changed every 60K. This will go a LONG way towards heading off any trouble.
After owning a repair shop for a while, I really don't see this generation of truck for much more than wear items and maintenance. Oil changes, tune ups, brakes.....nothing scary. I've put almost 3000 miles on mine, and this thing literally feels like a brand new truck. No rattles, no squeaks, it FEELS like a quality product.
This all said, TRY to find a high option XLT with the 302A package without a panoramic sunroof. This will provide the best mix of "nice" and reliable. The upper end models get things like BLIS that can give problems, and the pano roof is a built in sore spot, it breaks VERY easily.
Tim
After my own exhaustive search for a truck, you are on the right path! I had limited myself to the same criteria - 15-17 5.0L.
I decided on a 2015 for these reasons -
1. Intake manifold - the IMRC issue that these have seems to be a little less prevalent on the '15. I see a lot of '16's with it. Does that mean it won't happen? Hell to the no! Be prepared. The intake is on eternal backorder, my plan is when mine lets go, I'm just locking it out and tuning it out so I'm done with this problem quickly and forever.
2. Sync 2 vs Sync 3 - I would have MUCH preferred Android Auto and Sync 3. But the APIM for the Sync 3 unit seems to like to fail more than the Sync 2. However, the Sync 2 is older, and a bit slower and clunkier to use. I chose reliability - it's still an upgrade from the Sync 1 in my previous truck, so I'm satisfied.
3. R134a vs R1234YF - 2017 trucks are the first year of R1234YF refrigerant, and this stuff costs a good bit more than R134A. I avoided a 2017 truck solely on that fact, as air conditioners do break, and it's typically expensive when they do, so might as well try to head off SOME of that expense.
Reliability/Longevity -
I can't speak to the 15-17 trucks, but I can say that a good friend has a '14 5.0L with a 6R80, and he's at 295,000 miles. All original, we actually towed a car on a trailer 300 miles with it a few weeks ago. Still turned decent mileage, had plenty of power, and didn't complain one bit. As the engine is largely the same in these trucks, with proper maintenance, there's no good reason why you can't go the distance as well.
Noted problems with the engine - the aforementioned IMRC issue, radiator hose O rings, and water pumps. A few folks get the Coyote tick, but by the numbers, it's not very prevalent. My truck has 49K on it now, and it's quiet, and my friend's '14 with almost 300K is JUST as quiet. If you do get the tick, it doesn't seem to bother the engine in the least.
As far as the transmission goes, these are by and large pretty well built transmissions. You will see a few lead frame failures in this gen truck, but if you get a truck that has under 60K on it, change the trans fluid, and keep it changed every 60K. This will go a LONG way towards heading off any trouble.
After owning a repair shop for a while, I really don't see this generation of truck for much more than wear items and maintenance. Oil changes, tune ups, brakes.....nothing scary. I've put almost 3000 miles on mine, and this thing literally feels like a brand new truck. No rattles, no squeaks, it FEELS like a quality product.
This all said, TRY to find a high option XLT with the 302A package without a panoramic sunroof. This will provide the best mix of "nice" and reliable. The upper end models get things like BLIS that can give problems, and the pano roof is a built in sore spot, it breaks VERY easily.
Tim
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10-13-2023, 03:17 PM
#5
2015 5.0 Lariat CC 6.5 bed, great truck until totaled at 80,000.
2016 5.0 Lariat CC 6.5 bed, good up till around 100,000 miles , then would stall and die after driving on highway and come to a stop. Never could get figured out traded in
2019 5.0 Lariat CC 6.5 bed burned oil all the way to 113,000 miles needed catalytic converters, front differential began to eat itself. Would not start after long highway drives And then stopping for gas, food etc. Traded that in
2020 2.7 Lariat CC 5.5 bed, so far best tuck I have ever owned, do miss the 6.5 bed once in awhile I have driven this 2.7 50,000 miles so far this year only oil changes and just put a set of tires on it. Got it last Oct with 14,000 on now at 65000 miles.
if I was shopping form my kid I’d go 2.7 2015 and up and I’m a v8 guy
2016 5.0 Lariat CC 6.5 bed, good up till around 100,000 miles , then would stall and die after driving on highway and come to a stop. Never could get figured out traded in
2019 5.0 Lariat CC 6.5 bed burned oil all the way to 113,000 miles needed catalytic converters, front differential began to eat itself. Would not start after long highway drives And then stopping for gas, food etc. Traded that in
2020 2.7 Lariat CC 5.5 bed, so far best tuck I have ever owned, do miss the 6.5 bed once in awhile I have driven this 2.7 50,000 miles so far this year only oil changes and just put a set of tires on it. Got it last Oct with 14,000 on now at 65000 miles.
if I was shopping form my kid I’d go 2.7 2015 and up and I’m a v8 guy
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Jacob416 (10-16-2023)
10-13-2023, 03:17 PM
#6
Tim,
Your breakdown is very detailed. One item I think may be worth adding that I've been seeing more of lately is the trans cooler lines corroding. I'm not sure all of the years that this has been an issue but on my '17 with 6R80 I'm starting to notice it and will likely be taking preventative measures. I'm assuming it was the same on the 15 and 16 model years as well. A failed cooler line could cause a transmission failure if not caught in time.
Your breakdown is very detailed. One item I think may be worth adding that I've been seeing more of lately is the trans cooler lines corroding. I'm not sure all of the years that this has been an issue but on my '17 with 6R80 I'm starting to notice it and will likely be taking preventative measures. I'm assuming it was the same on the 15 and 16 model years as well. A failed cooler line could cause a transmission failure if not caught in time.
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10-13-2023, 03:21 PM
#7
Senior Member
Out of your range but, my 13 5.0 6 speed has mechanically been flawless. (Oil and filter every 5K) I have 155K on it now and did a water pump at 145K only as a precautionary matter. Having said this, if you happen to run across "grand paws truck" a 13 with 50K on it, it may be worth a look!
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noble150 (01-24-2024)
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10-13-2023, 03:36 PM
#8
Senior Member
Tim,
Your breakdown is very detailed. One item I think may be worth adding that I've been seeing more of lately is the trans cooler lines corroding. I'm not sure all of the years that this has been an issue but on my '17 with 6R80 I'm starting to notice it and will likely be taking preventative measures. I'm assuming it was the same on the 15 and 16 model years as well. A failed cooler line could cause a transmission failure if not caught in time.
Your breakdown is very detailed. One item I think may be worth adding that I've been seeing more of lately is the trans cooler lines corroding. I'm not sure all of the years that this has been an issue but on my '17 with 6R80 I'm starting to notice it and will likely be taking preventative measures. I'm assuming it was the same on the 15 and 16 model years as well. A failed cooler line could cause a transmission failure if not caught in time.
Thanks for the tip! I didn't think this was a terribly common problem like on my '09.......but I'm really interested to find out of that problem is location-based (i.e. corrosive environment) or a design concern (the QD connectors on the pipe itself).
My '15 still looks flawless underneath, cooler and lines, but that truck started life in central Mississippi, then was sold to me at a dealership in Dallas, TX. So, it's never seen a flake of snow ever. Are you in a snowier region?
Tim
10-14-2023, 01:12 AM
#9
Senior Member
Boy, oh boy can I comment on this one!
After my own exhaustive search for a truck, you are on the right path! I had limited myself to the same criteria - 15-17 5.0L.
I decided on a 2015 for these reasons -
1. Intake manifold - the IMRC issue that these have seems to be a little less prevalent on the '15. I see a lot of '16's with it. Does that mean it won't happen? Hell to the no! Be prepared. The intake is on eternal backorder, my plan is when mine lets go, I'm just locking it out and tuning it out so I'm done with this problem quickly and forever.
2. Sync 2 vs Sync 3 - I would have MUCH preferred Android Auto and Sync 3. But the APIM for the Sync 3 unit seems to like to fail more than the Sync 2. However, the Sync 2 is older, and a bit slower and clunkier to use. I chose reliability - it's still an upgrade from the Sync 1 in my previous truck, so I'm satisfied.
3. R134a vs R1234YF - 2017 trucks are the first year of R1234YF refrigerant, and this stuff costs a good bit more than R134A. I avoided a 2017 truck solely on that fact, as air conditioners do break, and it's typically expensive when they do, so might as well try to head off SOME of that expense.
Reliability/Longevity -
I can't speak to the 15-17 trucks, but I can say that a good friend has a '14 5.0L with a 6R80, and he's at 295,000 miles. All original, we actually towed a car on a trailer 300 miles with it a few weeks ago. Still turned decent mileage, had plenty of power, and didn't complain one bit. As the engine is largely the same in these trucks, with proper maintenance, there's no good reason why you can't go the distance as well.
Noted problems with the engine - the aforementioned IMRC issue, radiator hose O rings, and water pumps. A few folks get the Coyote tick, but by the numbers, it's not very prevalent. My truck has 49K on it now, and it's quiet, and my friend's '14 with almost 300K is JUST as quiet. If you do get the tick, it doesn't seem to bother the engine in the least.
As far as the transmission goes, these are by and large pretty well built transmissions. You will see a few lead frame failures in this gen truck, but if you get a truck that has under 60K on it, change the trans fluid, and keep it changed every 60K. This will go a LONG way towards heading off any trouble.
After owning a repair shop for a while, I really don't see this generation of truck for much more than wear items and maintenance. Oil changes, tune ups, brakes.....nothing scary. I've put almost 3000 miles on mine, and this thing literally feels like a brand new truck. No rattles, no squeaks, it FEELS like a quality product.
This all said, TRY to find a high option XLT with the 302A package without a panoramic sunroof. This will provide the best mix of "nice" and reliable. The upper end models get things like BLIS that can give problems, and the pano roof is a built in sore spot, it breaks VERY easily.
Tim
After my own exhaustive search for a truck, you are on the right path! I had limited myself to the same criteria - 15-17 5.0L.
I decided on a 2015 for these reasons -
1. Intake manifold - the IMRC issue that these have seems to be a little less prevalent on the '15. I see a lot of '16's with it. Does that mean it won't happen? Hell to the no! Be prepared. The intake is on eternal backorder, my plan is when mine lets go, I'm just locking it out and tuning it out so I'm done with this problem quickly and forever.
2. Sync 2 vs Sync 3 - I would have MUCH preferred Android Auto and Sync 3. But the APIM for the Sync 3 unit seems to like to fail more than the Sync 2. However, the Sync 2 is older, and a bit slower and clunkier to use. I chose reliability - it's still an upgrade from the Sync 1 in my previous truck, so I'm satisfied.
3. R134a vs R1234YF - 2017 trucks are the first year of R1234YF refrigerant, and this stuff costs a good bit more than R134A. I avoided a 2017 truck solely on that fact, as air conditioners do break, and it's typically expensive when they do, so might as well try to head off SOME of that expense.
Reliability/Longevity -
I can't speak to the 15-17 trucks, but I can say that a good friend has a '14 5.0L with a 6R80, and he's at 295,000 miles. All original, we actually towed a car on a trailer 300 miles with it a few weeks ago. Still turned decent mileage, had plenty of power, and didn't complain one bit. As the engine is largely the same in these trucks, with proper maintenance, there's no good reason why you can't go the distance as well.
Noted problems with the engine - the aforementioned IMRC issue, radiator hose O rings, and water pumps. A few folks get the Coyote tick, but by the numbers, it's not very prevalent. My truck has 49K on it now, and it's quiet, and my friend's '14 with almost 300K is JUST as quiet. If you do get the tick, it doesn't seem to bother the engine in the least.
As far as the transmission goes, these are by and large pretty well built transmissions. You will see a few lead frame failures in this gen truck, but if you get a truck that has under 60K on it, change the trans fluid, and keep it changed every 60K. This will go a LONG way towards heading off any trouble.
After owning a repair shop for a while, I really don't see this generation of truck for much more than wear items and maintenance. Oil changes, tune ups, brakes.....nothing scary. I've put almost 3000 miles on mine, and this thing literally feels like a brand new truck. No rattles, no squeaks, it FEELS like a quality product.
This all said, TRY to find a high option XLT with the 302A package without a panoramic sunroof. This will provide the best mix of "nice" and reliable. The upper end models get things like BLIS that can give problems, and the pano roof is a built in sore spot, it breaks VERY easily.
Tim
Yep. We walked away from our 2018 and bought a 2017 to replace it.
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Especial86 (01-11-2024)
10-14-2023, 01:17 AM
#10
Senior Member
5.0 6r80 from 2013-2017 were pretty solid. I’d probably even throw 2011-12 in the mix. With that being said, a 2015-17 would be aluminum body and just a bit more HP. Most issues were limited to water pumps, cam phaser solenoids or possibly a transmission lead frame. None of which are big problems. We just traded off our 2018 to go to a 2017 after a transmission failure and using more oil than seemed normal. I would suggest changing trans fluid more frequently than Ford’s recommended schedule. It’s a messy job but not difficult.