Ford many dozens of terrific truck engines, but also a few that you would be wise to avoid. This our list of the top 5 least reliable Ford truck engines.
Intro
Ford has built dozens of truck engines over the course of many decades. And yet it was a struggle to come up with just five that we felt comfortable calling unreliable. That speaks volumes to just how solid the vast majority of Ford truck engines are. However, there were a few stinkers over the years. If you are looking for a reliable Ford truck, you probably want to steer clear of any that have these engines under the hood. Sure, you can find examples of these that have lasted a long time, but there are better options out there.
5. 3.5L V6 EcoBoost (2011 – 2016)
The first generation EcoBoost engine debuted in 2011. The EcoBoost engine brought a combination of turbocharging and direct injection. The idea being you get a smaller and more efficient engine that makes power levels equivalent to a V8. This first-gen engine made 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. But like most new technology the engine had teething problems. Carbon build up is the most common issue. However, timing chain issues are also fairly common with this engine.
4. FE 360 (1968 – 1976)
The first Ford FE engine went into production in 1958. The FE 360 come out in Ford trucks a decade later. It would remain in F-Series trucks until the end of the 1976 model year. You may be spotting a trend here. None of the engines in our list were in production very long. The FE 360 is not the worst engine ever made but compared to some of the other great engines that Ford has produced over the years, it doesn’t quite measure up.
3. 6.4L Power Stroke (2007 -2010)
We love the Power Stroke as much as anyone, but we have to be honest here and the 6.4L is just not that reliable compared to other versions. This engine was a replacement for the much-maligned 6.0L Power Stroke but it didn’t fare much better. These engines are known for problems such as fuel in the oil, cracked pistons, leaking radiators and more. Problems are one thing, but these were all expensive to fix and went far beyond a minor inconvenience. This is another engine to avoid.
2. 5.4L 3v V8 (2004 – 2008)
The 5.4L 3 valve from 2004 to 2008 had some serious glitches. Timing chain problems, oiling problems, blown spark plugs, ignition problems and more help earn this engine a place on this list. The spark plug issues were more common on the pre-2004 engines but newer ones can still experience the issue. And the newer versions have a tendency to build up carbon in the cylinder head. The 5.4L Triton V8 is a good one to avoid if shopping for a used Ford.
1. 6.0L Power Stroke (2003 – 2007)
The 6.0L Power Stroke debuted in 2003 with variable geometry turbo technology, an exhaust gas recirculation system and a new fuel injection system. It was an innovative engine that made 325 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. From 2005 to 2007 torque was bumped up to 570. So, it was innovative and powerful, but not very reliable. Head gasket issues are well known with this engine. Head bolts were prone to stretching and there were fewer of them per side than on the 7.3L Power Stroke. Oil coolers were also prone to clogging, and the fuel injection control module would often fail.
