Consumer Reports Trashes the PB Again

[Kurt V]

The latest Consumer Reports rates the PB second from last in truck ratings. I know some have had bad luck with theirs and others have had good luck. With 30,000 miles on my 2023 PB, I can say that I love my truck. It had been practically flawless with a few minor electrical issues that have been solved by keeping the truck on a smart charger if I am not going to drive for a few days. Also what's interesting is that the Tundra is rated at the very bottom. I remember for years the Tundra was rated number 1.

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[MLH]

Who cares what CR thinks! I never ask them for a recommendation before I buy anything.

 

[Snakebitten]

Considering the number of Powerboost F150's being built and sold since the first Consumer Reports declaration,.........

I don't know how influential they are at convincing someone who is going to purchase a Powerboost to not do so. Can't be many, I wouldn't think.

That's not to say that a make/model is immune to bad press. I don't think any are. It's just that Consumer Reports doesn't carry the weight that it perhaps once did?

 

[Antimatter22]

They gave trucks a negative because of step in height lol. I wonder if they give sports cars negatives because their step in height it too low

 

[GregBC]

I checked CR ratings before buying my Ford. Most of the trucks are around the same scores. As this forum can attest, some people can be super unlucky and get a poorly made truck, but much harder to get stats on minor issues or no issues (other than occasional posts...).

Here's a summary of how they get their info:
https://www.consumerreports.org/car...umer-reports-car-reliability-faq-a1099917197/

 

[JJSnell]

Last time this happened I posted a pretty big breakdown with screen shots of the complaints of the "PowerBoost" truck. Everything from the stereo not sounding well to a problem with the tailgate... You know, all "PowerBoost" related.
These guys copy/paste consumer complaints with no further research or validation.
I would be embarrassed if I worked for such a company...

 

[JJSnell]

They gave trucks a negative because of step in height lol.

I can actually see that being a real thing... Everyone knows the Dodge truck driver is about 5'4"... If that ..

 

[Larrymoe]

The Nissan Titan is such a great truck, they're going to stop making it.

 

[2BigDogs]

Had a 2023 Limited Powerboost for 11 months... averaged 3.4 electrical gremlins / codes for multiple issues per month, and the PB was not compatible with my house's transfer panel, even though Ford's advertising stated the ability to power a house in the event of a power outage. Gas mileage lower than my 2018 3.5 EB.

Ended up trading it in for a 2024 GMC Denali Ultimate. So far no codes, no issues, hands free Supercruise equivalent to/better than Bluecruise 1.4, which is not available on the F-150 of any year.

So yeah, I agree with Consumer Reports. Ford's quality and reputation have sunk to an all time low.

 

[Snakebitten]

There are Powerboost powering homes during power outages. Even though Ford shows the Powerboost powering "a job site" and the Lightning powering a house.
They do look very similar and can be confusing to some.

Bluecruise 1.4 has been available to anyone with a Gen14 F150 since about Christmas last year. Admittedly, you have to want it bad enough to download and install yourself, since OTA delivery is an undelivered promise for the most part.

But yeah, it's not rare for a Powerboost to experience "electrical gremlins". Many are momentary and nothing but a nuisance. Especially if the low voltage side of the Powerboost isn't operating at a healthy voltage.

And yes, Ford's quality control is pathetic. But according to the forums of most major brands, the cry is far from a Blue Oval exclusive. I've never seen it so bad since the 70's. And this time it's even an issue for brands that once were the standard bearer of quality control.

 

[dochawk]

I never ask them for a recommendation before I buy anything.

Oh, I always look there, and research in other places, too.

And most of the time, I then go and do what I felt like doing in the first place, anyway!

I wonder if they give sports cars negatives because their step in height it too low

I started taking them with a lot of salt when over the period of a few months, they criticized an american hatchback for being at head height when open, and praised a foreign model for, at the same height, having enough room to put a trash can in . . .

 

[JJSnell]

Had a 2023 Limited Powerboost for 11 months... averaged 3.4 electrical gremlins / codes for multiple issues per month, and the PB was not compatible with my house's transfer panel, even though Ford's advertising stated the ability to power a house in the event of a power outage. Gas mileage lower than my 2018 3.5 EB.

Ended up trading it in for a 2024 GMC Denali Ultimate. So far no codes, no issues, hands free Supercruise equivalent to/better than Bluecruise 1.4, which is not available on the F-150 of any year.

So yeah, I agree with Consumer Reports. Ford's quality and reputation have sunk to an all time low.

So wait... It's Ford's fault the panel you have in your house won't work with the truck???
Ok, so how is that Denali doing powering your house?

You are comparing 'Supercruise' to 'Bluecruise 1.4' that you admittedly have never tried...

Lastly, how in the world do you have worse gas mileage than your previous EB, when the PB is LITERALLY an EB with a battery....???

I'm sorry but your entire post is laughable. I would have bought a new battery to resolve the "electrical gremlins", popped a bowl of popcorn and watched the dozens and dozens of YouTube videos of people powering their houses, like Ford advertised.

 

[amschind]

I have plenty of complaints about the PB, and have spent thousands of dollars ripping superfluous chunks off of the truck. Consumer Reports has assigned 2 scores to trucks, 55 or 64, and based upon the commentary in the article, none of the pros or cons were evaluated by people familiar with the concept of a pickup truck. I don't know how "step in height" can be listed as a negative for a full size truck. That's like an NBA player buying a Corolla and complaining about headroom: YOU chose the wrong car.

 

[SumGuy]

These trucks arent that well built, especially considering the price. There is a reason ford makes a huge margin on the f-series trucks.

Because they cut lots of corners to save $.10 here and a $1 there throughout the truck. the sum of those value engineering efforts shows with the imo relatively poor quality final product.

I would guess that Ford could add back those value engineered decisions for maybe $1,000 more per truck and make these trucks way more reliable and a better experience for the consumer.

the savings due to reduced warranty costs and favorable reviews from consumers would more than out way the marginal difference in profit. In fact, ford probably wouldn’t have to discount trucks as much if they had the best option on the market - which still think they do btw. Chevy is terrible, Toyota forgot how to make vehicles, and Nissan is throwing in the towel apparently..

 

[Pelican]

I don't give a lot of weight to what CR's says. They tend to make statements that lead me to believe they are not the type of folks I surround myself with that i know, like and trust.

All that said and despite all that's been said about the PB, after three years of being in production I will be picking up a new PB this Saturday. I was going to downgrade to a Maverick to save a little money, but my wife helped me see a full size truck is more desirable, I probably wouldn't be happy with the the Maverick and I would literally brake it.

Anywho, after 55k miles on my 21 truck with the 3.5 Eco, my final review of it would be I had a few items fixed that were convered under warranty and aside from those it's been a great truck.

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