Consumer Reports Trashes the PB Again

[Gros Ventre]

These are F-150s after-all... unless the CR rating was based on specifically the transmission, the battery pack, the power outlets, or the unique parts of the software... the F-150 rating should be enough to make a decision on. I'd expect CR to take them on over the bonded vs floating ground arrangement. Telling Ford to provide the floating ground feature would simplify many peoples world. At the end of the day a software implementation could set up a switchable capability.

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[PowerBoostSoCal]

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.

Good luck, I have seen two different videos from a tow truck guy on youtube - dragging these up the ramp as they quit on the side of the road. The tow guy says there is no way to get the transmission to neutral, etc. Anyway, good luck and look forward to seeing you on the gmc board.

 

[Snakebitten]

All i can say i had a 2023 powerboost was nothing but trouble. Three time's it would not start. All I got from the dealer was we have not been able to duplicate the problem & send me home with the truck after they had it for three weeks.

I don't know anything about your truck or what the specific issue(s) was. But the description of the dealership not being capable of fixing it, even after multiple attempts, isn't necessarily proof of a serious or complicated cause.

There's way too many examples of dealerships failing to provide satisfactory results for no other reason than incompetence and/or apathy.

 

[PowerBoostSoCal]

Indeed it is. I've seen reports in the past where nissans, and I think titans in particular, are ranked dead last in owner satisfaction.

It is easy to be ranked number one when you build the SAME thing for eight years in a row - even a monkey on crack can build one after they fix all the bugs (over eight years). It shows too, the truck is really dated in every way ...

 

[wessermgm]

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

First thing I thought when I saw this. What this says to me is that Consumer Reports wants 2010-era trucks.

 

[Bunker]

I don’t understand how the 2.7l version is the second best and the Powerboost the second worst when I’ve had zero issue with the Powerboost side and only issues with the items shared with the 2.7.

The truck is clearly built by accountants, but it’s overall nice.

 

[Calson]

What is unique about Consumer Reports is that they send out a survey to 100% of their subscribers and one inputs the make and model vehicles owned and the mileage and any repairs that needed to be made in the prior 12 months. They get input from thousands of vehicles' owners and that is far superior to what some guy posts on a youtube video.

If 10 our of 100 owners have problems that still means 90 people can say that they have had no problems. OK unless you happen to be one of the 10 owners with problems.

I bought my truck new in 2022 and had to wait more than 14 months to get the wiper motor replaced by Ford with their recall. So for more than a year the truck was not driven if there was a chance of rain and I used our SUV for road trips. I have owned trucks from Willys, Dodge, Toyota, and Chevy, and never been unable to get critical parts like a wiper motor for any of them. If I had it to do over I would buy a Ram 1500 instead.

 

[PatchManager]

I am a fan of Consumer Reports, and I consulted it before ordering my 2022 F150. It didn't persuade me to buy something else because there are a number of things I really like about F150s. Consumer Reports may not be perfect (I do find it very odd that the PB ranks so much lower than the 2.7), but it is much closer to perfect than reports from some random dude on a Ford forum, some dude on a Chevy forum, my neighbor, my coworker, my uninformed gut feeling, etc. Although I would have likely gotten an extended service plan anyway, Consumer Reports made that decision easy especially through Granger.

I think my truck is great, and plan to keep it for many years, but it has NOT been trouble free or without recalls as I expected and as Consumer Reports suggested.

Although I think that the JD Powers reliability information is less reliable than Consumer Reports, JD Powers certainly doesn't contradict Consumer Reports as noted here:

To suggest that Ford is doing good in the area of quality (at least with 2021/22/23) would be contradicting Ford's CEO:

“Fixing quality is my No. 1 priority,” Farley said, according to Ford Authority. “It is the most important initiative in the whole company. And it’s going to take several years. We didn’t lose it in just one or two years. Until we fix quality, nothing else matters.”

This is one example of several that I could have quoted.

Also, Ford has been in the top spot or the runner-up for the most recalls for the last few years. Even though it does appear that many manufactures are having issues, Ford is a standout even though there are signs of improvement (Ford Authority Interview).

 

[Chili]

I am a fan of Consumer Reports, and I consulted it before ordering my 2022 F150. It didn't persuade me to buy something else because there are a number of things I really like about F150s. Consumer Reports may not be perfect (I do find it very odd that the PB ranks so much lower than the 2.7), but it is much closer to perfect than reports from some random dude on a Ford forum, some dude on a Chevy forum, my neighbor, my coworker, my uninformed gut feeling, etc. Although I would have likely gotten an extended service plan anyway, Consumer Reports made that decision easy especially through Granger.

I think my truck is great, and plan to keep it for many years, but it has NOT been trouble free or without recalls as I expected and as Consumer Reports suggested.

Although I think that the JD Powers reliability information is less reliable than Consumer Reports, JD Powers certainly doesn't contradict Consumer Reports as noted here:

To suggest that Ford is doing good in the area of quality (at least with 2021/22/23) would be contradicting Ford's CEO:

“Fixing quality is my No. 1 priority,” Farley said, according to Ford Authority. “It is the most important initiative in the whole company. And it’s going to take several years. We didn’t lose it in just one or two years. Until we fix quality, nothing else matters.”

This is one example of several that I could have quoted.

Also, Ford has been in the top spot or the runner-up for the most recalls for the last few years. Even though it does appear that many manufactures are having issues, Ford is a standout even though there are signs of improvement (Ford Authority Interview).

The part that I find the most difficult is that they rate the manufacture, not the vehicle. Single vehicles that are completely unrelated can boost or lower a rating.

 

[Chili]

It is easy to be ranked number one when you build the SAME thing for eight years in a row - even a monkey on crack can build one after they fix all the bugs (over eight years). It shows too, the truck is really dated in every way ...

IDK, GM has been building v8's since forever and the current one is basically the same as the 2014, which is 10 years old. Yet they get less reliable every year.

 

[Samson16]

I bought my truck new in 2022 and had to wait more than 14 months to get the wiper motor replaced by Ford with their recall. So for more than a year the truck was not driven if there was a chance of rain

I know you never respond but that story never gets old! Even though it still worked and never actually failed you refrained from driving it just in case. And you’re still enjoying the vehicle enough to remain active on this forum! God bless you sir ?

 

[JExpedition07]

I don’t pay much mind to automotive journalists, their opinions usually suck.

 

[Snakebitten]

I don't know if I should be offended or not, but you trust totally anonymous subscribers to Consumer Reports more than us random "dudes" on this forum? ???

I'd argue the members here are far less random than the anonymous contributors of the data Consumer Reports runs their algorithm against.

 

[amschind]

It's the same issue as buying a minivan or an economy coupe based upon Car&Driver: the authors are speaking to a different audience. How a Corolla corners or how fast a Pacifica can hit 60 from a standing stop is completely irrelevant to prospective buyers, but to a guy who just reviewed a 918 and a Corvette, it is. Reviews of trucks from a magazine built to review the Volvo V70 over and over for 9 decades isn't going to get you useful information.

Consumer Reports has no idea about the heat exchanger leaks or the painful to reach oil filter or the confusing battery/alternator +starter setup. The folks who take their S80 to the dealer for service when the dash light turns on aren't in the population that uses a 1/2-1 ton truck. Generally, any resource that refers to a "full size truck" vs "1/2- 3/4- or 1-ton" is looking at that category from a POV that would only help buyers who should get a Maverick instead.

I don't mean this as a blanket condemnation of C&R or C&D, just be sure to use the right tool for the job. If I were buying a 'Vette or Porsche or Camaro or Charger, the C&D Laguna Seca lap times showing startlingly good lap times for the cheaper options would be a MASSIVE help. If I were buying another Volvo or Lexus or maybe an Accord Touring hybrid, C&R would be my go-to. For a truck that I want to use to the edge of its capacity for 20 years, forums are more useful.

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