Ford Truck Diesel Engines: What to Buy, What to Avoid
Ford truck diesel options are plentiful, but there are many pros and cons to consider with virtually every one of them
It’s somewhat hard to believe, but there was a time when Ford truck buyers didn’t really bother with diesel engines. In fact, the Power Stroke as we know it didn’t come around until 1994. And even then, it was just a re-branded line of engines that were actually produced by Navistar International. But today, Ford truck diesel engines are among the best in the world.
That doesn’t mean they didn’t travel a bumpy road to get here, however. Some Ford truck diesel engines are obviously better than others, and some are downright avoidable. So if you’re in the market for one, we’ve assembled a handy guide to help you avoid any potential pitfalls and pick the right oil burner.
6.7-Liter Power Stroke V8
The 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 is arguably Ford’s greatest diesel engine to date. And it continues to reset the bar with each revision in terms of output. The latest iteration in the Ford Super Duty produces 475 horsepower and a stump-pulling 1,050 pound-feet of torque, in fact.
Since its introduction in 2011, the 6.7 has proven to be very reliable as well. However, there are a few things to look out for. Turbo failure is common on 2011-2014 trucks, as are EGR problems. Otherwise, it’s hard to go wrong with this capable workhorse.
Pros: Reliable so far, instant response, tons of power, torque available throughout the power range, integrated exhaust brake, and trailer brake controller.
Cons: 2011-2014 models suffer from common turbo failure, emissions systems add multiple failure points, EGR failures are common between 70,000-90,000 miles.
Best years: 2015 and up have an updated supercharger and more power, even more on 2018+ and 2020 models.
