Just so you know, I had a 2016 F150 Screw XLT 4X4 5.5' bed, with 5.0L, 6 speed trans and 3.73 Locker, tow package, brake controller and 36 gallon gas tank. This by far is the best F150 and truck I have had. The most reliable, had tons of power, and towed great! I only got rid of it because of miles on it and I got such a great deal on the 2019 F150. The 2019 F150 was a XLT 4X4 5.5' bed, with 3.5L Ecoboost, 10 speed trans, Max Tow package (3.55 Locker, 36 gallon tank, brake controller, etc).

Boy do I regret that 2019 F150 purchase!! Had to get the Cam phaser recall done, and nothing but nothing but troubles with that stupid 10 speed transmission. Had problems with turbo lag, that killed power at critical times when passing (turbo lag) or slowing down before turning then going up a steep hill (lack of power when getting off the throttle right before getting on throttle for climbing hill) . Then went into the Pandemic with these problems and all kinds of problems with Ford and dealer NOT wanting to fix this thing right. I got stranded several times because of the transmission slipping and not wanting to go into gear and even with extended warranty, Ford refusing to provide a loaner when they didn't have transmission tech available for immediate repair. Luckily a different dealer I didn't buy from, fixed the transmission but with it still shifting weird, I just couldn't trust it with my kid in the truck.

I loved my previous F150s up to this 2019 3.5L Ecoboost and 10 speed nightmare. To say the least, NO more turbos for me or any more Ford 10 speed transmissions, or Fords for that matter.

I really loved my 2016 F150 5.0L and wished I never traded it in on that garbage. Yes, the 6 speed wasn't perfect but it was reliable and so much smoother and better shifting than the 10 speed.

Since I down sized my camper, and my commute is long, I wanted to downsize to save gas money and to get a sportier ride.

I looked at the 2024 Ford Explorer back to back with what I bought, to just get a frame of reference. Unfortunately, that 2024 Explorer was a poorly shifting 10 speed as well besides the reliable issues. The rest of the Explorer was poor next to the competition but I had to see back to back.

I ended up getting a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L with good towing of 6,200 lbs for a midsize crossover. I will say everything about it put the Explorer to shame, drivetrain, ride, comfort, technology, and performance. Oh, by the way, that 300 hp/310 lbs of torque Explorer 2.3 Ecoboost rating is only with 93 octane. Thanks to the Bronco specs, that 2.3L ecoboost drops to 275 Hp/300 lbs of torque with 87 octane that I use (as 93 octane is $1.00 more/gallon). The Jeep 3.6L is 295 Hp (w/dual exhaust) and 260 lbs torque at 4000 rpms but is flat within 10% down to 2000 rpms. Also Jeep is geared more aggressively for torque.

It has an 8 speed ZF transmission so I really wanted to say that this transmission shifts as smooth as butter, and is very precise. No gear skipping needed and goes to the right gear when needed. No bucking, no slamming, just smooth, precise shifts. So to those with the 10 speed, those harsh shifts are NOT normal, even when this 10 speed is suppose to be operating normally. Don't be fooled, it doesn't shift normal when comparing to other transmissions. I even drove a 2022 GMC Acadia for a month and it's shifts are smooth as well. Don't think that 10 speed shifts normal, it does not. Even though it was a good transmission, even the 6 speed ford transmission I had with the 2016 F150 shifted harsh compared to other transmission but the 10 speed is just the worst!

Now the ZF 8 speed will have a minor bump shifting from 2 to 1, then 1 to 2 on a rolling start, if you don't stop completely. If you stop completely, no minor bump at all.

I now have had my Jeep 1 year roughly and 20,000 miles and very reliable, unlike that 2019 F150. I get between 4 to 5 mpg better also. Not as good as some of the lighter competitor SUVs but Jeeps are heavier with more unibody crossmembers for stronger and heavier towing, they are designed to use a V8, and are designed more for off roading.

I also have bought the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 tires based on recommendations from members here. Jeep came with garbage tires so they were replaced off the showroom floor. For the F150, I actually went with the Wildpeak ATW3s but for the sportier SUV, and 20" wheels, I wanted a more road confident tire and the M/S2 tires are great! They handle dry roads excellent with great performance. They also handle wet roads like they are dry, excellent handling, and do well in the snow but not as good as the Wildpeak ATW3. The M/S2 tires handled deep and compacted snow without issue as well as ice. For an all season tire, these are the best tires I've had. For All Terrain, the WIldpeak ATW3 were the best tires I've had. Just a nod to the people who helped me in earlier posts!

I hope no one take this as a slam to the F150, as it's really just to the 10 speed transmission. Now that I see how unresponsive turbo engines are next to n/a engines, I won't have another. I really loved my 2016 F150!

 

I respect your opinions and your perception.

whenever anyone says these engines are unresponsive or lagging (3.5 or the 2.7), I gotta assume yours was broke.

Sorry you had issues with the 10spd. I’m currently having a small issue with mine, and if it turns into anything big, it’ll be F250 time

 

I had it into service several times and all was good with the engine. Dealer sited turbo lag. I think others just aren't as sensitive to it as I am. It drove me nuts. I was so happy to get back to a N/A engine. My Ex wife had the 2.0L Ecoboost in 2 of her vehicles and said she had the same turbo issues but thought they were insignificant and didn't bother her.

My last 10 vehicles have been Fords. It was weird not buying from a Ford Dealership but the way I was treated by Ford, I don't know if I'll ever go back.

My step son has a 2022 F150 3.5L Ecoboost with Max Tow, and has harsh shifting but no real problems. Yes, he feels the same turbo lag/issues I have had. He's sensitive to it as I am but not bothered by it. I'm hoping he doesn't have the transmission problems mine did.

I hope your issue is corrected. They strung me along with program updates until it was past 60,000 miles then told me it needed to be repaired after that. Thank god I had the 125,000 mile extended warranty.

 

I have the 2017 in the same spaces as yours just in Lariat trim. I still enjoy it after coming from a 2002 Z71 Tahoe. I tend to drive things forever so I hope this truck lasts me until bell bottoms come back in fashion

Wife's car is a 2016 JGC with the 5.7 and I truly love driving that hard when I'm in there by myself. Has the sport exhaust. I also just put on the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 on the JGC and they ride so nice. I like the 8spd too with the paddle shifters and have not had any issues. (Knocks on wood)

 

The last time I gave an opinion of all 3 engines being good choices, but the 5.0 feeling sluggish in comparison, I had a psychopath have a nervous breakdown and throw a tantrum in my private messages…so I try and cater to the more fragile of the forums, lol.

i had a 3.5, 2.7, and 5.0…all 10 spds and all eventually tuned. The 2.7 felt the snappiest around town but the 3.5 never hesitated. The 5.0 was the sluggish one of the bunch in comparison…and it had 3.73 gears.

and yeah…this has been my favorite truck but if this turns into a warranty mistress, I’ll dump it.

 

Why are you still here? Take your purse full of rubber ducks and go joing a Jeep forum.

 

I don't plan to do anything with my 2015 Lariat 3.5 eco. It's been pretty much problem free.

The wife drives a 2014 Charger that has the 3.6 and 8 speed auto. There was a problem with the tranny almost from day one where it would lock up in park and not allow you to shut the engine off (the ecm/tcm thought it was still in gear) or do anything. The only way to shut it off was to pull the fuel pump fuse. Never threw a code until it had over 70k on it. Ended up getting a warranty replacement at 72k miles, after 2 valve bodies did nothing to fix the issue. The new transmission has updated programming and it doesn't shift as well as the original. The car now has 120k miles on it; never had an issue with the 3.6 and it gives 30+ mpg at 80 mph on the highway. I've done 6k-7k mile full synthetic oil changes. Almost since day one it has exhibited first cold start of the day lifter tick after the oil gets a few miles on it. Best oil I have found to forestall it is Quaker State Full Synthetic in 5W30. Long winded way to say that hopefully you will get good service out of yours.

 

I gave my daughter the ducks, but you can have your purse back.

 

Thanks, I could had lived with the 3.5L eco even if it did drive me nuts with it's drivability issues. The transmission was the deal breaker and you having the 2015 are lucky in having the 6 speed, 6R80.

I did research and got a lot of recommendations from Co-workers with the Grand Cherokee, so I looked at it and was very impressed. Looked at the Durango and it was nicer than the Explorer but didn't hold a candle to the Jeep. All 3 were about the same out of pocket cost. Wanted to stay American but Honda was the only foreign I'd consider and in 2024, they weren't offering the Pilot with a Tow Package. Now for 2025 they are offering a tow package again. Toyota's engines are a disaster with the new turbos having debris in them causing engine replacements. Not a GM fan so wouldn't even consider those.

I bought the Jeep last April for 2 reasons, didn't trust my F150 and it was rumored the Grand Cherokee was getting a turbo and I wanted the 3.6L. Turns out Jeep CEO Carlos Tavares got canned and the 2025 Grand Cherokee kept the 3.6L. Also in the Mopar rags that the 5.7L is coming back as most, like here, want a V8 option. Many left Dodge/Jeep when Carlos retired the Hemi.

I'm hoping in the future Ford becomes a better company like they were previous to the pandemic, and I'm hoping they stop using the customers as guinea pigs on new drivetrains. They need to work out the problems before putting them on a showroom floor for sale.

 

Strange, I had the 5.0L with 3.73 and the 6 speed trans in my 2012 and my 2016 F150s and they were both very responsive and not unresponsive like the 3.5L turbo. The 2016 a few times barked the tires when rolling around 35 mph and then traffic taking off. It definitely was a powerful engine.

I will say that 3.5L Ecoboost really needs 93 octane as it definitely runs better and that could have been some of the issue but none the less, I still had turbo lag issues running 93 octane. 93 octane here is $1.00/gallon more than 87 octane and with my commute and driving ~23,000 miles a year, I really didn't want that extra expense.