projekt-H

So, this may have been asked a thousand times, but I'm not seeing it anywhere. I know everyone always talks about the notorious 04-08 5.4L nightmares (Some of which I experienced in my 06) But nobody seems to mention the 09/10 5.4 being problematic. Do they fall victim to the same flaws, or did they majorly change something for those last two years that makes it better?

Trying to figure this out because I've found a couple nice deals on an 09 & 10, but they both have the 5.4 which makes me slightly wary.

Also, another question for any 09/10 5.4L owners: What kind of average MPG are you getting? Did the 6 speed really help that engine out? Because my 06 (4-speed) only got 11-12 on a good day and I don't think I can go back to that life.

Thanks in advance everyone!

FST150

Yeah this has been brought up a lot, I know it's hard to find on the site sometimes but Google helps with that best. Not saying that to bash you just letting you know.

As far as 09-10 5.4 trucks they are a lot better than 04-08 trucks. A lot of motor redesigns and very little cam phaser issues, easily changed spark plugs, and the 6 speed helps mileage a lot. I could get 17 mpg in my 2010 lariat cruising around 65-70 mph. I've had a couple 09-10 trucks and they were great, if you find a good deal with good mileage go for it I say.

Just listen for noises on startup and after a drive at idle like the old 5.4 trucks if you're Leary.

projekt-H

< Me with my dunce cap for not even trying a general google search.

Thank you for the direct input. I personally didn't have an issue with my spark plugs, so that was nice. 17 is a number I could live with. I will know more when I go look at the two I have planned to check out tomorrow morning!

FST150

Let us know what you find, but you won't be disappointed, good luck with what you find!

JoeInPI

I have a 2010 5.4L, and I pull my 12' landscape trailer with a rider, push mower, a bunch of trimmers and blowers, bedslide, lots of tools and stuff in the back, and a cab packed full of crap I don't need. I pulled that trailer 5-6 days a week during the spring/summer/fall, and a different trailer with a quad/plow/walk behind snowblower and my SnowDogg plow on the truck 3-4 days a week the rest of the year- so I use it pretty hard- 30,000+ miles in 2015.

For lawn season- 13.7 avg MPG
For snow season- 11.8 avg MPG
No trailer- 18.8 MPG

Reason I like my 2010 is the 5.4 + NOT electric power steering... (couldn't have that with my SnowDogg plow)

Hope some of that info helps, and good luck!

projekt-H

I'll keep ya posted, it's a 2009 Platinum... gotta see how little they'll give me for my miserable fiesta that I traded my 06 XLT in for (stupidest choice I ever made... and I've owned two twin-turbo Audis!)

I'm torn between if I want to get that this week, or wait until August and spend more than I really wanted to and grab this real nice 2011 EcoBoost Fx4 that came in to the dealer my father works at... gotta wait till August (or who knows when) for them to get the parts for the PCM recall before they can sell it.

Well that definitely does help! Thank you!

rossmatt06

I traded in a 328i bmw w/ cold weather, premium, and sports packages on my 2010 platinum. It has more creature comforts than the bmw and does them better than the bmw (dual zone climate is a good example). If you're looking for something close to the Audi the platinum is the way to go for creature comforts. The 5.4 is a bit of a dog compared to the ecoboost. If you're looking for performance, i would go with the EcoBoost. I know 2011 was the first year for the ecoboost and have heard they had some issues until later model years. Might be worth digging into a little bit before pulling the trigger on one.

projekt-H

The 5.4 being a bit sluggish in comparison doesn't bother me too much, because I know as long as the main issues don't cause catastrophic failure, they're good for 300k and with the 09/10 being mated to the 6 speed and slightly updated it'll get reasonable fuel economy

TheKingRanch

I have a 2010 5.4. Bought it with 90K I know have 97k on it. Have noticed a engine tick on start up but once I blip the throttle it goes away. Probably just need to get some oil up to the cam phasers. Also has the exhaust tick. I average about 15mpg going back to fourth to work. Just did a 2000 mile trip and we averaged 16mpg. that was doing about 75-80 the whole way. I bought the 5.4 because I didn't want to get a first model year ecoboost and couldn't afford a newer ecoboost.

PatsRed&Silver

For what its worth.. I bought a 2009 Lariat 2WD used with 93K miles.. The truck was/is in near mint condition.. Since then, has always been kept in a garage and oil changed regularly (3-4K miles or 8-10 months). Coming from the GM camp and a wife who owns a 08' Suburban-

1) 6 speed tranny is not very good.. It shifts when it wants to, how it wants to and will do so differently weekly. the 2011 6R80's had revised shift solenoids and I wonder if that helped.. Driving a 4 speed in my wifes 'burban is much more enjoyable. Consider a tune to fix this.

2) A/C sucks as you read from all years. 3rd brake light WILL leak. none of this specific to this model year.

3) 5.4 makes noises at idle.. ticking and etc. Mine had a horrible knocking noise on startup and is a bad Cat. Conv.. Spark plugs are no problem. Phasers - we'll see but no sounds from them.

4) had TPMS lights, off and on wrench light and airbag light, and many SES lights for bad cat and o2 sensors. But all of that could just be "my" truck.

5) MPG's are very good in town.. Probably from the constantly shifting 6 speed.. 19 on the highway. (though my old 94 Chevy got 18-19?!.)

My suggestion.. Figure out a way to get into a '11 or '12 5.0.. You won't regret it. The 5.4 is not a very refined engine though better in a 09-10.. These early 6R80 is lacking big time in the "programming". 2011's on up should be much better. Good luck.