2021 F-150 EcoBoost Typical Issues?

[Dannyboy80]

Hey all,

I'm a returning member here looking to potentially pick up a 2021 F-150 EcoBoost but want to make sure I do all of my due diligence before pulling the trigger. Main reason being, I recently purchased/owned a 2021 PowerBoost and it was a complete f'ing nightmare... Absolutely gorgeous truck with amazing tech/options but just riddled with gremlins.

It was foolishly only after purchasing it that I started researching some of the odd things that were occurring and found that they weren't all that uncommon. A couple of examples were (1) the cavitating noise from the transmission when it was cold outside and (2) a vibration/shuddering when under load on the highway in higher gears - Felt like a wheel balance issue but it was just the truck shaking like a 737 in turbulence.

So I ended up offloading it and frankly losing my ass... But if it weren't for the aforementioned issues, I loved the damn thing. So I'm now thinking I'll go back to the EcoBoost and maybe/hopefully, get myself that amazing truck I hoped that PowerBoost would be. However, before I do that, I'm going to look under every GD rock and corner to make sure I don't learn something detrimental after the fact!

That said, if anyone could help either outline some of the common pitfalls of this gen EcoBoost, or provide links to existing threads/articles that provide details, that would be sincerely appreciated. Or, as would be my preference, let me know that they're generally solid trucks with little to no problems... Because, dammit, I love em and want another one!

Thanks, in advance!

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[GIjoe]

That shudder is not powerboost specific. My eco boost had it. There’s a service bulletin on it. For me, premium fuel and larger tires made it almost non existent anymore. I think that little extra throttle input because of the tires is what made the difference. I used to be able to make it shudder on command by barely feathering the throttle.

 

[redline]

Having a huge smile on your face every time you drive it …

 

[Dannyboy80]

That shudder is not powerboost specific. My eco boost had it. There’s a service bulletin on it. For me, premium fuel and larger tires made it almost non existent anymore. I think that little extra throttle input because of the tires is what made the difference. I used to be able to make it shudder on command by barely feathering the throttle.

Interesting... I tried the premium fuel "fix" and it did nothing. Also had 285/65R20 Nitto RGs on it. The biggest issue I had with it was when towing our TT... Was a very constant shake due to pulling that load.

To your knowledge, is this just an issue with the Gen14s, or does it date back to previous gen EBs as well?

 

[boo radley]

21 eco 3.5

18,000 and no issues other than recalls. My first ecoboost and I'm impressed with the power. Fast truck.

 

[Dannyboy80]

Care to elaborate?

 

[TexasTruckGuy]

I have a 2021 3.5 ecoboost. No complaints at all. I bought it 8 months ago with 21,000 miles now it has 49,000 and have had zero issues or complaints. Tons of power drives as smooth as anything. 2.5 inch leveling kit on it and tires are Toyo open country at3. 295 60 r20. Get 18 mpg driving locally 20-21 on longer trips. Always run shell 93 fuel in it.

 

[Wmflyfisher]

I’m on my first EB coming from a 5.0. Nothing wrong with the 5.0 but man this EB is super smooth and quiet. Plenty of power too. I really like it so far.

 

[Sojourner]

On my second 3.5 EB with my 23 Tremor. The first, a 2012 XLT FX4 with 1st-gen 3.5 EB, was absolutely rock solid perfect.

In fact, the only issues I had with the truck were 1) the dash module failed & had to be replaced and 2) the dreaded 6R80 trans lead frame issue. Otherwise, a perfect engine in a pretty perfect truck.

 

[rtf150]

If you look hard enough you will find reasons from the 3-5% (I truly don’t know the math) of trucks that have had issues. I have a 22 PB Lariat. I’ve had 1 issue that is PB related. The leak at heat exchanger. It is now a known issue and fixed relatively quickly. The other two issues have not been truck or trim related such as the CV axle issue I’m having now (same part on many trims) And the camera issue which could be on any trim if equipped. I have had zero EB/PB fails.

As for EB I’ve owned a 2011 gen 1 and the 2019 EB. 2011 ran almost flawless for 200K and I sold it to buy my 2019. 1 warranty issue on the 2019 cold start rattle but totaled at 60k. Now we’re at COVID and I needed a truck and the closest I could find was the PB I’m driving now. I wouldn’t trade it for anything other than another PB.

 

[Babbage]

Love mine - no issues. Just take care of it... I drove 625.1 miles in 9:17 and got 21 MPG with 700lb in it. (thats 67.29mph MPH Average over 9 hours) have about 17K on it now

For me:
Change the oil often - I changed mine 6x in 12,000 miles - break in etc.
I changed the front and rear gear oil - rear got the FRPP iron cover (9.75" cover) and lube locker gasket.

 

[Chili]

Interesting... I tried the premium fuel "fix" and it did nothing. Also had 285/65R20 Nitto RGs on it. The biggest issue I had with it was when towing our TT... Was a very constant shake due to pulling that load.

To your knowledge, is this just an issue with the Gen14s, or does it date back to previous gen EBs as well?

That sounds like a 35" tire to me..? Did your truck come with 18s or 20s? Especially if you came from 18s, but even a 20 (33" tire)...without a tune to adjsut that's going to really lug the engine. Especially if those were LT tires.

 

[Dannyboy80]

That sounds like a 35" tire to me..? Did your truck come with 18s or 20s? Especially if you came from 18s, but even a 20 (33" tire)...without a tune to adjsut that's going to really lug the engine. Especially if those were LT tires.

It was a 34” tire. Just seems odd that a truck with that much power would have an issue due to a fairly incremental tire diameter and weight increase. I guess the weight was more than incremental but still… Truck was a turd, regardless.

 

[Chili]

It was a 34” tire. Just seems odd that a truck with that much power would have an issue due to a fairly incremental tire diameter and weight increase. I guess the weight was more than incremental but still… Truck was a turd, regardless.

34.6, from either 32.1 or 33. The issue would be more the truck is expecting the tire to be the smaller tire, but it has more load and a lower rpm at a given speed so the shift pattern would be out of wack. A tune or tire size adjustment would just adjust the shift points back to where they should be.

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