7.3 Issue, Reliability Reports Please
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 558
From: Central Wisconsin
Yup. Tried tow haul, eco mode, etc. They're all the same, unfortunately. Seems to me like the torque converter is too tight.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 1,423
From: CA
I'm 99.9% in tow/haul and I haven't noticed the lag issue. I do get the lurch from P to D when cold, but just figured it was the elevated idle and 4.30's pushing up against the brakes. I will say that I like the trans better when I'm getting in it a bit. If I putt around like Miss Daisy, it's clunky and somewhat lethargic.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 156
mine has the rough idle (at times).
tranny shifting is "different," still getting used to it. The skipping of gears is interesting to me. The 10 speed in my '20 GMC was way smoother and seemed to be better at being in the right gear.
This truck only has 2500 miles on it, but it is a late '20 build, so I am sure there are updates available for it. I will ask when I take it in for service
tranny shifting is "different," still getting used to it. The skipping of gears is interesting to me. The 10 speed in my '20 GMC was way smoother and seemed to be better at being in the right gear.
This truck only has 2500 miles on it, but it is a late '20 build, so I am sure there are updates available for it. I will ask when I take it in for service
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,696
Likes: 4,816
From: Itinerant
My "21" I bought in March has 39,000 miles other than the front crank seal replaced under warranty I haven't experienced the rough idle. Shifting to me seems very smooth and I'm averaging 13.5 mpg that's combined city, highway (speeds up 85 mph) and towing the toy (3,000#) and I carry 1,500+ pounds in the bed all the time. 14.5-15.5 mpg is the highway average with 65-69 mph yeilding the best mpg for my truck. I record all mileage and fuel put into truck. That mpg would be higher but I idle for hours at times on the jobs sites depending on heat/ cold. I've been in temps of 120f and recent low temps of 15f. One thing I really like never having it before on a vehicle is the heated seat on those cold mornings while the truck warmed up. 
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 701
From: Minnesota
I agree with the assessment that the 10 speed feels clunky when using light throttle application. Seems quite smooth when more assertive on the throttle. Part of the issue is the skip shifting IMO. A light throttle, it produces a lurch forward; especially on the 1 to 3 shift; and especially when the motor is still cold (elevated idle).
Compared to the 6 speed; preferred the 6 speed when unloaded; prefer the 10 speed when loaded. But to be fair, that is comparing a 6R100 to a heavier 10R140.
Compared to the 6 speed; preferred the 6 speed when unloaded; prefer the 10 speed when loaded. But to be fair, that is comparing a 6R100 to a heavier 10R140.
Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 75
Likes: 15
From: Raleigh NC
THIS!!!! I thought I was the only one experiencing this long crank issue. It does it 80% of the time except when I take it to the dealership for repair and wont replicate. SMH
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 71
Likes: 23
From: Florida
11k trouble free miles on my 7.3!
Half of those miles were towing between 8-12,000#. Although I live in Florida where we don't have hills. The pedal lag did bother me a little, pull out on a busy road, hit the gas and the truck thinks for a few seconds. I don't think it's the tranny searching for a gear, but the fly by wire gas pedal. My Dad's GMC 2500 doesn't lag, so it must be a Ford thing.
Anyway, I fixed it. BANKS PEDAL MONSTER. Holy Mary Mother of God! Watch a few YouTube videos on that! They weren't lying. You can adjust the sensitivity of your gas pedal with a phone app. That combined with Timbren SES makes towing 12,000# Effortless. Like, am I even towing? Gotta be careful to keep it under the speed limit.
They put these engines in F750's, so that's comforting to have it in 250.
I'm ok with the holding the brakes at idle. It's hard to dial in a truck that's ideal in all situations. I'd rather have it the way it is with lower compression ratio giving more torque. Same as holding the brake on a dogsled team because they just wanna run!
Transmission has been good. Sometimes it shifts when not expected, but I've never had a truck that didn't.
So happy with the engine choice. I almost got the 6.2 for "proven reliability", I am so glad I bumped it up to the 7.3. It's really fun to drive.
Half of those miles were towing between 8-12,000#. Although I live in Florida where we don't have hills. The pedal lag did bother me a little, pull out on a busy road, hit the gas and the truck thinks for a few seconds. I don't think it's the tranny searching for a gear, but the fly by wire gas pedal. My Dad's GMC 2500 doesn't lag, so it must be a Ford thing.
Anyway, I fixed it. BANKS PEDAL MONSTER. Holy Mary Mother of God! Watch a few YouTube videos on that! They weren't lying. You can adjust the sensitivity of your gas pedal with a phone app. That combined with Timbren SES makes towing 12,000# Effortless. Like, am I even towing? Gotta be careful to keep it under the speed limit.
They put these engines in F750's, so that's comforting to have it in 250.
I'm ok with the holding the brakes at idle. It's hard to dial in a truck that's ideal in all situations. I'd rather have it the way it is with lower compression ratio giving more torque. Same as holding the brake on a dogsled team because they just wanna run!
Transmission has been good. Sometimes it shifts when not expected, but I've never had a truck that didn't.
So happy with the engine choice. I almost got the 6.2 for "proven reliability", I am so glad I bumped it up to the 7.3. It's really fun to drive.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 41
Likes: 8
I have both a ‘20 F150 and 250. I noticed that the 150 downshifts 1 gear at a time while towing. I wish the super duty would do this. I don’t mind the first skip downshift while towing(9-7), it’s the second skip downshift that I often find to be overkill(7-5).
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
I had same. It's need to sit for an hour or so before they dealer cranks. They were able to replicate it and put in a new fuel pump.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 1,673
From: NW Wyoming USA
2022 F-250 XLT FX4 7.3 3.55’s 1600 miles. Only issue since taking delivery 9/2 (this has happened twice) turn the key to start the engine, engine starts, I release the key, engine shuts off, immediately turn the key again and it stays running. No long cracking, idle is very smooth.
I do notice that the transmission is very shift happy and requires a lot of throttle management. I don’t know about the driveability with the 4.3 gears but with the 3.55’s, it needs to be driven aggressively or it’s very lazy and will quickly go into the highest gear possible. You have to drive hard or it will fall on it’s face. Takes some getting use to coming from a Chevy K2500 6.0 gas 4 speed transmission with 4.10 gears.
I do notice that the transmission is very shift happy and requires a lot of throttle management. I don’t know about the driveability with the 4.3 gears but with the 3.55’s, it needs to be driven aggressively or it’s very lazy and will quickly go into the highest gear possible. You have to drive hard or it will fall on it’s face. Takes some getting use to coming from a Chevy K2500 6.0 gas 4 speed transmission with 4.10 gears.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,696
Likes: 4,816
From: Itinerant
What exactly does "requires a lot of throttle management".
My opinion which doesn't mean squat but having 3.55 gears in a 3/4 ton truck made to work is just **** poor. 3.55 gear is a 1/2 ton truck gear so you can get the kids to soccer practice fast.
My opinion which doesn't mean squat but having 3.55 gears in a 3/4 ton truck made to work is just **** poor. 3.55 gear is a 1/2 ton truck gear so you can get the kids to soccer practice fast.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 1,673
From: NW Wyoming USA
Have fun at the gas pump with your 4.3’s
lololololololol
