I hate my Powerboost

[F-150 Prius]

I have had a '21 powerboost for a full year now with 15k miles. Beyond issues with stupid things from day 1 like power mirrors not working and the 11 month debacle that has been, I just really dislike the ride. I was so excited to have this truck, after my '20 Ram was rear-ended and totaled after less than 2 years, because after living through the Texas snowpocalpyse the 7.2kw generator in this truck seemed to make it perfect. But since day 1, my Lariate pb has been a downgrade and disappointment from my Laramie 1500.

First, I love the idea of a hybrid with great mpg, lots of power and speed, and the built in generator. Not to mention the fact that I was able to put a hefty sum down and get 0% interest in Oct 2021. I thought this truck was going to be the best of all worlds. But what I found was this truck drives like complete crap. There are very noticeable jerks when switching between gas and electric plus accelerating or decelerating, especially around 3rd gear is extremely rough. Every time I accelerate or decelerate I feel these jerks, pauses, and jolts and it is driving me insane.

When accelerating up a hill I will hit third gear and then it feels as if it downshifts and throws me in to the back of my seat as it shifts higher. When decelerating it can be very sudden that it shocks people in the vehicle. Sometimes there is a hesitation when accelerating causing me to hit the gas a little more which then leads to a jerk forward once the truck catches up. Nothing about the ride is consistent or comfortable. I hate comparing it to the ram but the hemi ram was smooth in acceleration and deceleration all the time. During the last 11 months of dealing with other issues I have mentioned the issues with the ride quality each time I took the truck into service and the dealer has done nothing for it. On the work order it says "no work done." I Paid 68k for this truck, full sticker 1 year ago, and I couldn't be less happy with it.

Most likely I will need to hold onto this truck because current interest rates are terrible and no one will give me a decent trade in. I am one service appt away from filing a lemon law claim here in Texas for a buy back. If we have a power outage in the next winter or 2, the generator may be the only saving grace, if it's not in the shop.

Find another dealer to service your Ford.
I had some transmission shifting problems and after an update and "shifter cables" (still not sure this shift-by-wire 10-spd even has cables …) it's good … not great, rarely sublime, but I agree it's crazy that Ford has this basic box in numerous vehicles behind numerous engines and it's at it's worst when it should be at its best (using the electric motor for "torque fill" and having so much power and torque, it should never make a harsh shift.)
I've had no "gremlins" like the mirror problem. Highlights for me are the long haul driving comfort, BlueCruise is a total gamechanger. 6 ½' bed with a Smartcap is a lot of secure cargo space, easily accessible on 3 sides, tools and equipment at the ready. Onboard power is gamechanger #2. Hybrid is gamechanger #3 not for mpg (which is not okay) but for idling with the engine "on" but stopped, just using the battery. I need quite a few hours per week just sitting in the cabin as the mobile office and not having a turbodiesel drinking the whole is multiple wins.
I am not ok with the mpg, empty or loaded, high speed or towing, it's thirsty. I could slow down, but I can't profit from the deal of selling my time for the cost of gas, and I can't choose the weight in the trailer. Around town, it's pretty good, and I like the answer when I use the go pedal, but I never see 24 mpg, lucky to see 18 average between $150 fill-ups. : |

As you note, buying a new or used vehicle is an expensive decision till the chaos the government has brought into the economy miraculously turns into good times just in time for the next election.

I suggest going to another Ford dealer for service, get them to fix the trans and the mirrors. It is possible for the '21 PB to be an enjoyable vehicle.

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[PowerBoostXLT]

Lower knob on console just to the right of your steering wheel. It tells you in a pop up in the are you see speed or whatever it is you may have set to have in that space. Yes that’s an option my view is fun as it offers many screen choices accessible by arris in right of steering wheel, but I digress. Smaller icon shows drive mode in lower area is speedometer screen, where it shows where you have gear shift set to.

 

[Vin]

I'm SICK of all these off-topic posts. This thread is only supposed to be about HATING the OP's Powerboost!!!

I hate his Powerboost more than a neighbor that borrows widely available tools,
or,
a vending machine that steals your money,
or,
a pay-at-the-pump gas station that makes you go inside to get a receipt.

I HATE that thing.

 

[Snakebitten]

I did download the owners manual and about died when I saw that many pages. I’m slowly but surely learning the technology in it but it will take a while. That’s why I figured I’d just ask here to get the simple answer and cut to the chase. That is what the forum is for, correct? ?

Wasn't intended the way you might have taken it. (I wasn't being my snarky self )

I sincerely meant that a Gen14 can be so jam packed with tech that you might have options go undiscovered for..... Well, years, if you don't know they are there.

There's folks that have had their truck for a year and hadn't known that they could lockout gear ratios, for example.

 

[Rubystang]

Wasn't intended the way you might have taken it. (I wasn't being my snarky self )

I sincerely meant that a Gen14 can be so jam packed with tech that you might have options go undiscovered for..... Well, years, if you don't know they are there.

There's folks that have had their truck for a year and hadn't known that they could lockout gear ratios, for example.

No worries, I do appreciate the feedback and I will be going through the manual every chance I get. It’s just I had another guy talk to me about breaking it in driving in the Sport mode so I tried to find that in the manual and couldn’t find it or any other more for that matter. That’s why I thought I’d ask you. Especially now that you’re talking about locking out the gear ratios too. Can you at least give me a brief explanation of how to switch between drive modes so I can get it into Sport for the breakin period ?? Thanks in advance !

 

[Snakebitten]

Ford calls it DSM (Driver Select Mode)

Twist the dial both clockwise and counterclockwise, in order to discover all the modes available

 

[Rubystang]

Ford calls it DSM (Driver Select Mode)

Twist the dial both clockwise and counterclockwise, in order to discover all the modes available

Oh hell, I saw that but assumed it was strictly to switch between 2H, 4H, and 4 L. Never imagined it could be used for other drive modes. Thank you greatly for pointing that out to me. That also gives me an area to focus on in that manual. You have great weekend!!

 

[Snakebitten]

My pleasure.
The push buttons surrounding the dial are the method for selecting 2WD 4WD
The dial is for selecting the transmission shift strategies (Drive modes), And the dial can be pulled out/pushed in to enable/disable the electric locking rear differential. (up to I believe 25mph)

 

[PowerBoostXLT]

I did download the owners manual and about died when I saw that many pages. I’m slowly but surely learning the technology in it but it will take a while. That’s why I figured I’d just ask here to get the simple answer and cut to the chase. That is what the forum is for, correct? ?

FYI You can also view the digital manual on the 12” console screen.

 

[Snakebitten]

Only in a Powerboost is the Sync version of the owners manual even slightly practical.
Well, that is if you already have it elsewhere on better terms. ??

 

[Atlee]

Only in a Powerboost is the Sync version of the owners manual even slightly practical.
Well, that is if you already have it elsewhere on better terms. ??

This old dinosaur bought a printed version.

 

[Rubystang]

FYI You can also view the digital manual on the 12” console screen.

Roger that, as I saw that when going through all the various options within the sync 4 system. But it’s easier for me to download it on my home PC and view it on a 32” monitor ? Thanks for the suggestion though!!

 

[PowerBoostXLT]

Roger that, as I saw that when going through all the various options within the sync 4 system. But it’s easier for me to download it on my home PC and view it on a 32” monitor ? Thanks for the suggestion though!!

I actually have 2x 32” that are now collecting dust as I went back to my 2 x 24”, but neither fit well in my truck. Lol. And I’m too old to be reading it on my phone

 

[Rubystang]

I actually have 2x 32” that are now collecting dust as I went back to my 2 x 24”, but neither fit well in my truck. Lol. And I’m too old to be reading it on my phone

I used to have two 24”monitors side by side when I was working. Was the only way I could get anything done. You get used to that set up and it was hard to use just the one bigger monitor when I retired, but after being retired for 3 years now it’s not so bad. I Agee about the phone though. It’s a pain to see anything on these little screens. I do good to be able to type these messages here. You have a good week ahead!

 

[BigDE]

Some updates are available OTA and are pushed at Ford's discretion. However, I'm guessing that a PCM update, and that IS what you are desiring, is going to require FDRS to apply.

Have you had your VIN looked up for available updates?

Thanks. I don’t think I’ve had my VIN looked up. Is that something the dealership service does? I’m about due for my 20,000 mile service plus some recalls, so is that something the dealer service department will automatically do, or I will need to ask them specifically to do?

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