Fleets are funny, I have worked for them for over 30 years. Used to see a lot more front end problems on Chevys compared to Fords, but after 2011 or so it changed. Fords still have about the same number of issues they always had, but now the Chevy's are better. Chevy brakes last longer, tires too particularly on 4X2's. Fords had a LOT more engine problems, the 3 valve Tritons and 6.0L Powerstrokes were no where near as reliable as the 6.0L LS and Duramax. The 6.2L is very reliable, seeing few issues and is at least as reliable as the 6.0L LS. 6.7L Powerstroke has problems, but no more so than any other current diesel. Chevy radiators usually need replacing before 100,000 miles, Ford A/C systems tend to have leaks (condensers and evaporators). Neither has much in the way of transmission problems. Ford's interior parts are of better quality, but Chevy's have better seats. Most of our drivers prefer Chevy's ride and handling. These trucks are all 3/4 and 1 ton, some dually's and 4X4's.

Dodge/Ram trucks were overall the most troublesome. We have not bought any in significant numbers for quite some time, so maybe they are better now.

 

I had a valve spring break at just over 11K. Runs fine so far. Hope it doesn't repeat.

 

My local repair shop has a broke down 6.2 sitting in the corner of the shop. Guess the engine lost oil pressure and locked up, it had around 100k on. They hadn't tore into it yet to see what actually happened.

That is the only 6.2 failure I've heard of personally.

 

This looks to be a good thread for my 2017 SD 6.2L problem. So, I bought a new 2017 F250 XL reg cab 4wd 6.2L in July '17. One day I was carefully backing up in 4wd Lo from a cold start and had to rev it above 1500 to get it moving. All of a sudden the truck started increasing in speed (and revs) by itself without my foot on the accelerator. Yes, I was able to brake but that episode was scary and sure got me thinking. It took me a while, but I was able to replicate the unintended acceleration so the Ford dealer could experience the problem and the mechanic had never seen anything like it. Here is when it always happens: must be a cold start (sitting 2-3 hours will suffice), immediately put in 4wd Lo M (manual mode) first gear, rev to 1500-1800 and truck takes off by itself reaching +4000 rpms. Also will show in 4wd Hi or 2wd M (manual mode) first gear, same rpm data, but you need a longer straight away to experience. After about 3-5 minutes, it no longer does this and everything is normal. As said before, you can brake safely at any time and repeat if within the time frame. So, the truck was in and out of the dealer many times between Nov '17 and Jun '18. They put a new computer in, almost every sensor, intake manifold, transmission, transfer case and some other parts. Finally, in Jun '18 the dealer told me they can not fix it and unfortunately it is an unintended engineering result of my truck as configured. So, I went through the RAV program (reacquired vehicle program or the lemon law dept.). In Aug '18 I received a check for the entire cost of the truck plus tax and DMV fees and an extra 'coupon' good for any Ford vehicle. They only reduced the amount by the mileage I had on the truck ~2,300 using a formula. Well, I purchased a new '17 F350 reg cab 4wd XL 6.2L configured somewhat differently in Aug '18 about 1,000 miles from home. Believe it or not, the truck has the exact same issue. I explained the problem to my local dealer (same one from the '17 F250) and they said this is normal and no repair is needed nor did they even want to see it. I called Customer Service who also said this is normal. Wow, a vehicle with unintended acceleration is normal! Finally the dealer agreed to see it where the same mechanic verified the issue, but they insisted it is normal and charged me $190 as they claim it is not a warranty issue. I am now working with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) Auto Line who work as mediators between the customer and the manufacturer. I don't want to go through the RAV program again, but want some kind of compensation to live with the problem and hope for a repair in the future. The problem is pretty easy to avoid, but I wonder how many 6.2L trucks out there have this same issue. If you have a '17 or '18 SD 6.2L please try to replicate as described. It might be reg cabs only or XLs only or... Both trucks do have the FX4 option with locking rear. If yours does this, have a dealer verify.

 

I would not call that a problem with the engine; as you describe it there's likely an issue with the ECM programming; certain conditions are creating an undesired idle ramp up.

If understand correctly, your process is thus:
- cold start
- select 4L (or 4H, or 2H) immediately after engine start
- select Manual trans mode; first gear
- rev engine to 1500+ rpm with accelerator pedal
* vehicle will self-direct up to 4000 rpm
* condition will stop after 3-5 minutes (presumably after engine ECT is satisfied and "warmed up")
Is that correct?

What happens when you step on the brake pedal? Are you fighting the rpms to try and slow the truck down (ECM attempting to maintain the 4000 rpms), or do the rpms drop to normal as soon as you activate the brake circuit? If the rpms do drop upon brake activation, do they rise again after the brake is released?

 

Why are you using M(1st) gear and not D?

 

Thanks dnewton3, you understand it completely. If I brake it will slow down and decrease rpms safely, but if I increase above 1500 rpm and it hasn't reached it's warm up threshold , it will repeat. The Ford mechanic was great and from the start thought it was in the ECM programming as you state, but, as you may be aware, dealer mechanics sometimes must do what the regional techs tell them to do when under warranty. The ECM was replaced and also 'updated' (unsure the technical term). I think Ford is trying to sweep this problem under the rug and hope no one else experiences it, as it is a specific way to make it happen as most simply put it in 'D' (drive) where this will not happen as the rpms will not reach the kick in limit. I just hope no one gets hurt if this happens to someone unknowingly, especially in 'R' reverse, where I first experienced it.

 

Well now you've got me curious and I'm going to have to see if I can replicate this maybe this weekend ... Inquiring minds want to know!

 

Hey jbullfrog, thanks for replying. This truck replaced my old faithful '81 F350 400ci 4sp. Since manual transmissions are not available anymore, I needed the ability to mimic manual shifting as does the manual mode (sort of). My use is mainly in mountain, hilly terrain on rough roads often carrying a load. When in town, on flat lands, I do simply put it in D.

 

Thanks, dnewton3, our trucks sound similar, mine is a '17 and reg cab, does yours have the FX4 package? When/if you try this, make sure it is parked so that you can immediately take off in a (relatively) straight unobstructed path. When the mechanic wanted to test mine in 2wd, I parked right next to a freeway on ramp, then (2-3 hour sitting time) fired it up, put it in M first (2wd) and drove in the shoulder while the mechanic had his computer hooked up to the truck. It was a strange sensation increasing in speed by itself approaching 4000 rpms. We probably drove 1/2-1 mile or so, maybe more, and then it decreased to idle by itself when it reached its warm up threshold. So, it is much, much easier to replicate in 4wd Lo as you do not need to go as fast (speed) with the same rpm increase. The mechanic could do the test in the dealer's lot in 4wd Lo, with careful planning! It will do this in R (reverse), too, but I only experienced this way once and wouldn't want to replicate it this way again.

 

Well I'll be darned if this is exactly what mine does too!
Cold start this morning, backed it out and pointed down the drive.
Put into 4L; Manual 1st gear.
The truck would idle just fine at about 1400 rpm.
As soon as I added some gas and got it above 2300 rpm, the engine started taking off on it's own; all the way up to 5000 rpm!
Stepped on the brake and it comes back down. Add gas and heads right back up on it's own ...
Won't do it in "D" mode; only "M".
Bizarre to say the least.
Confirmed; it does happen!
Not that it will matter to me much as that's not a condition I'll be in.

But I don't see this as an engine issue; it's a ECM issue in a limited exposure condition.

 

Wow, dnewton3, now I am convinced I didn't have the only two trucks that have this issue. Do you feel as though it is a 'problem' you can simply live with or do you think a repair ought to be found? Sometimes I feel as though I am making a mountain out of a mole hill, and other times I feel Ford needs to address this as a fault and needs to find a repair. When my first truck (2017 F250XL reg cab) showed this issue, Ford recognized it as a problem and attempted a repair, unsuccessfully. Now, with the replacement truck (2017 F350XL reg cab SRW), Ford claims the issue is a normal function of the truck. This is what I am challenging; is it normal or does it need a repair. Since Ford has basically said there is nothing Ford will do about this, I was given to choice (by Ford) to contact the BBB (Better Business Bureau) Auto Line that specifically deals with unsettled issues as this. The BBB act as mediators between customer and manufacturer. After some communication back and forth with BBB, Ford has agreed to send a technical advisor/engineer to my local Ford dealer to once again inspect the truck. Then, yesterday, I received an email from Ford's RAV (reacquired vehicle dept.) stating they will be assisting me with setting up this inspection. I simply want Ford to recognize this as a problem and seek a repair. I would like to be compensated (ext. warranty, cash or...) and keep the truck until a repair if found. Also, since the issue is verified under warranty, I want the repair to be completed no matter the time/mileage of the truck. So, in your opinion, I am I being too demanding? Would you be willing to have your local Ford dealer verify this? I think this could be a recall issue, but more customers need to have their trucks inspected by the dealer. I agree, it is easy to avoid the fault, but that doesn't make it an acceptable problem on a new $$$ truck. Other than this, I like the truck, it is a real beast, great suspension, huge payload, plenty of power for my needs, I added Timbren suspension bumpers (frame to rear axle) to replace OEM, I can carry maximum load and rear hardly moves down, great stability.

 

I think it's important to note that just because something is normal, does not mean it is safe.

From what I've read here is that Ford is acknowledging that that is "normal" they know it happens. Your first truck may have been one of the first reported to them, however they have now realized that it is "normal" for the trucks to do that, in the situation you have described.

The big question is what are they going to do about it? Is there a repair, other than buying the vehicle back ? if there a repair do they just repair the complaints when they come in or do they recall all affected trucks? Do they stop producing super duty's with manual transfer cases ?

I have a 2012 F350 XL standard cab, manual 4wd, auto trans, electronic locking rear so I will have to try and replicate your issue.

 

I've got a '16 xl with ESOF and dad has an xl with a manual transfer case. I'll check both of them out. I don't reckon it matters. Neither of us would sell or trucks back for a reason like this. We are both super happy with them.

 

I think something may have gotten misunderstood. I'm not talking manual transfer case vs ESOF transfer. I'm referring to when the AT tranny is put in 'M' manual mode, first gear, and not 'D' drive. I don't know if there is a difference, with this problem, between manual transfer and ESOF. Mine is ESOF. Reread my prior posts to understand how to replicate. Perhaps the 2012 model's AT did not have a 'M' manual transmission mode, don't know? Anyway, appreciate all your concern and attempts at duplicating.