New guy and potential F-150 5.0 owner

[dmac]

I don't know if I've seen a single unhappy 5.0L owner on this forum, which says something.

Super reliable, great mpg, great noises (even in stock form no exhaust), great power, best mpg while towing....

Not 1 single issue I've seen on the internet related to Cylinder deactivation or the wet Kevlar belt since introduction 2021.

The 2.7L is probably the next best engine in terms of reliability (I've seen 1 or 2 reports of phaser issues but that's basically nothing - they sell a ton of 2.7s). The 3.5L ecoboost has also been rock solid since 2021 (2017 - 2020 were NIGHTMARE's with failing phasers and cracking valve covers, both have since been fixed).

My opinion is if you want heavy towing/more power get the 5.0, more mpg -> get the 2.7L.

Don't mess with the Hybrid unless you want the generator or will only use it for light work (it has lower payload and drives heavier w/ the battery) and will sell after warranty (this will piss off some people sorry).

The 10 speed is really the weak point of the trucks, but since 2023, the CDF drum has been fixed, so full rebuilds are extremely rare AFAIK.

The Valve body probably is the weakest link now, but that's pretty easy to upgrade/change out if you want via a Sonnax Zip or Nexgen kit.

Additionally, the 10r80 seems to respond very well to livernois tuning in regards to driveability and performance.


Ford is unique in that is offers 3 state of the art, extremely reliable motors on the F150 now. Ford is nowhere near perfect, but I don't think any other truck OEM can say this.

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[cujet]

Have you looked at the Kevlar oil pump belt by chance? I think that’s my only concern with this engine, but haven’t really heard of any stories of the belt breaking.

The 2.7L also has a Kevlar belt. No failures.

The 5.0 Kevlar belt is not only improved from the early 2.7, but Ford now uses larger diameter pulleys, which greatly reduce the bending, load and stress on the belt. If one uses the proper oil and changes it regularly, there won't be belt failures. I keep my trucks to the 200K mark. There are 2.7L oil pump belts with 480K miles. Never changed.

Remember, they tested this setup to 1000HP, with zero issues. And before you dismiss that testing, the oil pump loads, RPM involved and oil temperatures at such HP levels are very stressful on oil pump drives.

I will never say it's easy to replace that belt, but replacement is possible, even for shade tree mechanics, without major surgery (like some other brands that have wet belts at the rear of the engine and require transmission removal) At least Ford put the belt up front.

 

[Henfield]

I have a 21 5.0 and I picked it up at 77,000. Coming from 3 ecoboosts, this engine feels more refined. Its consistent power and fuel mileage is fantastic. Unfortunately, they took away e85 on the 24 model, it makes the truck even better.

if you tow, it does surprisingly well with that also. You just need to learn this engine and know where it’s power comes from, which is higher in the RPM range. It has an intoxicating sound that may or may not affect your fuel mileage trying to please inner teenager. would 100% recommend this engine to anyone.

I came to F150 in Dec 21 because when I bought Tundra's were invisible on dealer lots. Prior to that, I'd done well over 500k on Toyota and Honda products. I'm just under 50k miles and pronounce myself very happy. The 3.4 Tundra Turbo is going to be a problem child for many more years.

As someone else mentioned, you get the 3.73 with the towing package-make sure you get the Trailer Brake Controller. It's been in an out of the towing package recently. A quarter of my miles are towing and even with the 3.31 its never lacked for power. My best MPG was on a single day with nearly 1000miles average 24.8.

 

[jkosh22]

I came to F150 in Dec 21 because when I bought Tundra's were invisible on dealer lots. Prior to that, I'd done well over 500k on Toyota and Honda products. I'm just under 50k miles and pronounce myself very happy. The 3.4 Tundra Turbo is going to be a problem child for many more years.

As someone else mentioned, you get the 3.73 with the towing package-make sure you get the Trailer Brake Controller. It's been in an out of the towing package recently. A quarter of my miles are towing and even with the 3.31 its never lacked for power. My best MPG was on a single day with nearly 1000miles average 24.8.

That’s stellar fuel mileage, granted you get better fuel mileage with the 3.31. I have the 3.73 on mine, for the past 1400 miles I’ve been running e85 and 93 together and getting 14.9. That’s with the AFE corrected. But on 87 only I was only getting about 17.5. Took a trip from MN to MT in august, got 18.9 with bed full of belongings, 3 car seats, 3 kids and 2 adults. I’ll take it.

 

[OxfordYeti75]

Thanks for all the replies. This definitely puts me at ease! Yeah I guess we’ll see why Toyota does with this whole recall BS. There’s even some guys that have had engine replacements that had their new engine fail too. I really don’t think it’s a machining debris issue. I think it has something to do with the main bearings. I like my truck and the power, but I don’t trust this engine at all which is why I’m highly considering the 5.0 for 2027!

 

[Ricksc]

You can’t go wrong with the 3.5 or 2.7 either. Drive them all then make your choice.

 

[Granger Ford]

The 5.0 Engine is pretty popular for customers would place their order with us! Reliable, powerful and ready for the job!

 

[jhelrey]

I went from a long time owner of 5.0s to the 3.5 PB. It's an entirely different package. I'd suggest driving both.

 

[Atlas0331]

Thanks for all the replies. This definitely puts me at ease! Yeah I guess we’ll see why Toyota does with this whole recall BS. There’s even some guys that have had engine replacements that had their new engine fail too. I really don’t think it’s a machining debris issue. I think it has something to do with the main bearings. I like my truck and the power, but I don’t trust this engine at all which is why I’m highly considering the 5.0 for 2027!

I’ve been a Toyota guy my whole life up until I bought this F150 5.0 a few months ago. I wanted to upgrade my Tacoma to a tundra but just couldn’t pull the trigger from all the issues they’re having since 2022 and everyone I know that has one hates them. I’m extremely happy with the Ford and will probably never go back. I’m with everyone else and that I think you will really enjoy the F150.

 

[OxfordYeti75]

I’ve been a Toyota guy my whole life up until I bought this F150 5.0 a few months ago. I wanted to upgrade my Tacoma to a tundra but just couldn’t pull the trigger from all the issues they’re having since 2022 and everyone I know that has one hates them. I’m extremely happy with the Ford and will probably never go back. I’m with everyone else and that I think you will really enjoy the F150.

Yeah, don’t get me wrong, the powertrain is awesome and the power delivery is incredible. I’ve already had my whole headliner replaced due to rattling, and then had my driver side mirror replaced due to excessive wind noise whistling. The next truck I get is NOT going to have a moonroof lol.

 

[Atlas0331]

Yeah, don’t get me wrong, the powertrain is awesome and the power delivery is incredible. I’ve already had my whole headliner replaced due to rattling, and then had my driver side mirror replaced due to excessive wind noise whistling. The next truck I get is NOT going to have a moonroof lol.

As soon as they got away from NA motors they went south in my opinion. At least on the tundra. The 5.7L was bombproof. I still have our 5th gen 4R I’ll never get rid of with the 4L But it feels like the twilight zone every time I get in it after driving my ford around for a while and it’s only 4 years older lol.

 

[jkosh22]

Thanks for all the replies. This definitely puts me at ease! Yeah I guess we’ll see why Toyota does with this whole recall BS. There’s even some guys that have had engine replacements that had their new engine fail too. I really don’t think it’s a machining debris issue. I think it has something to do with the main bearings. I like my truck and the power, but I don’t trust this engine at all which is why I’m highly considering the 5.0 for 2027!

What’s funny is up until 21, ford had engine issues and GM had transmission issues, now it’s seems ford nailed their engine line up and now all of the other reliable brands are wetting the bed hardcore. Now that the 10r80s have the updated CDF drum, it should be quite a reliable set up!

 

[FirstNewFord]

Hey everyone. So I’ve got a 2025 Tundra limited trd off-road with the iforce max (hybrid). As many of you know Toyota recently expanded the recall to February 2024 builds (not including hybrids). My assumption is that Toyota will extend it AGAIN to 2025 builds. Currently, the hybrids are not a part of the safety recall due to it allegedly having “motive power” from the electric motor to move the truck off the road if the engine gives out (total BS). If the engine gives out on a hybrid, all Toyota is doing right now is a short block replacement AKA tearing apart your whole engine and putting new parts with old parts which I say hell no. Long story short, I’m looking at purchasing a F150 with the 5.0 in 2027 (assuming Toyota still doesn’t include the hybrids by then). How do you guys like the 5.0 V8? I’m just hoping they don’t add a gasoline particulate filter to the 5.0’s in 2027. Thanks!

I got my 2025 F-150 RCSB 4X4 with the 5.0 Coyote in May 2025 and have driven it 6,000 miles so far. No complaints. Plenty of power. I mean, LOTS OF POWER. It's a nimble, agile truck too. Shifts well, handles well, just fun to drive. And unfortunately, I think it will be the last of the RCSB V8s we're gonna see. Get yourself one. You won't regret it.

 

[Ebrou]

Have you looked at the Kevlar oil pump belt by chance? I think that’s my only concern with this engine, but haven’t really heard of any stories of the belt breaking.

Unfortunately, no, I believe you have to pull the oil pan to change to change or inspect it. I have no reason to be concerned. When you look back at the oil pumps in the past engines with the mechanical gears and rod driven it, they failed as well.

I would not put the oil pump being belt driven as a reason not to move forward with this engine. Every engine can fail at some point in its life. It can be a rod, a lifter, a thermostat, and so on. It is the luck of the draw when something happens.

 

[cujet]

Just an FYI, it is my understanding that a simple $30 endoscope/borescope threaded up the oil pan drain can see the belt. So inspection is not difficult. I'll probably start looking at mine around the 200,000 mile mark. But remember, these are not known to fail.

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