How Reliable is the Ford 3.5 EcoBoost? | 3 Common Problems

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00:00 - Intro
00:23 - Ford 3.5 EcoBoost Background
04:03 - Towing Capacity
05:25 - 3.5L EcoBoost Common Problem One - Carbon Buildup
08:39 - 3.5L EcoBoost Common Problem Two - Timing Chain
10:59 - 3.5L EcoBoost Common Problem Three - Ignition Coils & Spark Plugs
13:05 - Ford 3.5 EcoBoost Overall Reliability & Maintenance

[Media]

We apologize about the audio quality. This was our very first video, so we were testing and, post production, did all we could to make it the best viewing experience possible. Since this, we have drastically improved our content quality and want to continue improving the quality for you guys! Thank you for understanding!

[wyomingcowboy]

If you follow Ford's recommended oil change intervals (100% on oil reset) you will go past the life of the oil by gong over 10, 000 miles. I am original owner of a 2013 f150 eco and I set my oil reset to 50% or 60% depending on my driving conditions. Most, if not all, of the "common issues" are a result of the above issue. Preventive Maintenance (not run to fail philosophy) is a must with most engines...especially on the new ones with the tight tolerances. "Money where my mouth is, " I have 258, 454 miles on mine. Only engine related issues have been spark plugs, coil paks, and a water pump leak at 179, 000 mles. Just don't drive your vehicle, take care of it and it will take care of you!!
UPDATE:  I just replaced both turbos due to o-ring wear on the coolant and oil lines and also the vacuum pump at ~ 262, 000. When I took it in to Cavender Ford in OKC, the shop forman (John) got in and then immediately got out, walked around the entire vehicle and asked, "262, 000 miles...I can't believe it. Is that the correct milage"? He then took it for a 30-minute test and got 21 mpg. The engine itself is still performing well.

[stephenbloom]

I have a 2011 f150 3.5 ecoboost with 400, 000 miles on it and a good synthetic oil and filter changed at the right time will give you many worry free miles with this engine. The drive train is all original even the turbos. I’ve really enjoyed owning this pickup, it’ll do everything I need it to do and it’s fun to drive.

[Steve-yrvi]

I have this engine and could not be happier, I was fine with either the 5.0 or 3.5 I bought the truck that had the components I wanted. However, honestly I am completely in the turbo 6 engine club now. I have numerous friends with the 3.5 one with the 2013, not one of us has had issues, every one of us says the same "love it". If you drive it with sense it does everything it is supposed to do. There is SO much power on tap with this engine it's scary, yet it is easy to drive, I consistently average better than 20 mpg in mixed driving. I cross the continental divide often, while my engine is loafing along maintaining 75 in 7th. I'll hear the motor in Mercedes, BMW, RAM, Chevy screaming trying to keep up but finally relent likely out of fear they'll blow their engine. And seriously my truck will never break 2, 000 rpm. My own opinion that this engine has so many that hate it is a testament to its capability. Now that both RAM and Toyota are ditching their push rod 8's and replacing or have replaced them with turbo 6's is proof a turbo 6 is the perfect engine for someone that actually needs a truck.

[catmando]

I have a 2013 F-150 3.5L Ecoboost. 85, 000 miles, runs great, regular maintenance, and oil change with full synthetic oil. Problems, replaced battery, and fix air-conditioning, buttons on steering wheel, and brakes (I tow a trailer in the mountains, hard on brakes). I've only gone as high as 8, 000 ft, but truck runs just like at sea level, no lose of power. Great towing vehicle. My trailer loaded at approx. 7, 000 lbs.

[bret]

We’ve seen a lot of Ecoboosts well over 250, 000 with no problems. A big improvement over the 5.4. I have owned several. Love the power. My favorite though is out GM 5.3L V-8. They just run forever but, not as fun to drive or to pull a heavy load with.

If you buy new, take care of your vehicle, 90 times out of 100 you’ll drive trouble free to at least 150, 000 miles no matter what manufacturer it is.

[chada]

I have had 4, 3.5 eco trucks and not one issue with any of them. I now have the powerboost and love it.

[ADVFGS]

I have the 2011 F150 Lariat 4x4 with the 3.5, 311, 000 miles all original, the only upgrades I’ve done is K&N drop in air filter and 3” exhaust and I tow a lot and frequently. Best truck ever!!!!

[tydime]

Damn dude. You gave more information about the 3.5 Echoboost in one video than anything I’ve seen on YouTube!

[markford]

I know 2 guys who have the 3.5. The first tows heavy weekly, 250K only issue a burst brake line. The other guy has 205K on his and has beat the crap out of the truck. He has had maybe 5 issues, nothing big. And both guys maintain them well Like me 5K oil changes keep everything in tip top shape. These are great engines. Do not follow Ford recommendations for oil changes you might regret that.

[CWB]

First truck I've owned(new) is the 2014 3.5L. I have 93k and she's running great. It did have a slight rattle(from what i hear is normal in Fords) up until the 75k mark. I decided to get a tune up and not wait until a 100k(which i thought was excessive). So I changed the plugs, coolant, transmission fluid etc. I also looked into changing over to full synthetic(Pennzoil UP) oil, instead of the synthetic blend that's been used. What a difference it made! No more knocking, better fuel economy (19.5 mpg up from 17.2) and it rides so much smoother in cold and hot temps. Next tune up, around the 135k.Oh and since it's over 75k, i'm gonna try the Valvoline HM max life oil next and see how she runs. Hear great stuff about that oil. After a year, I'll probably switch oil change intervals between the Valvoline and Pennzoil.

Overall, i'm very impressed with my truck even though it's not really broken in yet. I've learned a lot being a first time truck owner and preventative maintenance is a must for sure.

[jason]

Have a 2015 3.5 ecoboost that has been pretty reliable. I am at 236k miles of 80% highway driving. I have changed oil only at the computers recommended interval (roughly every 10k miles) with motorcraft synthetic blend 5w-30.
I’ve replaced passengers side valve cover for a leak, 3 throttle bodies, and a crankshaft pressure sensor.
I have the common rear broken studs (revised manifolds ordered ready to install) on both sides and turbo fitting coolant leaks that I will be addressing soon. All in all not too bad. I’m planning to run it to 4-500k miles.
Very important to keep fluids changed in the trucks. Had “rumble strip” vibration twice after fluid had broken down from Highway driving. Once trans flushed shifts like new again. Plan to do trans flush every 60k. Also, keep up with routine plug changes. Great truck!

[bozartg]

My son works on these in his shop. His biggest take-away is resealing of the turbos at approximately 100K although, I was in his shop the other day and he had a 3.5 in there for this procedure and it had 220K He was very surprised and the first one he's seen with that much mileage.

[beachsoap]

I got a 2012 3.5L with 350000km on it . Original engine never touched! I am started to hear some rattle on cold startup. I think the biggest thing with these engines is regular maintenance! I do changes every 6000 K with the cheap conventional oil just keeping the oil clean is more important I believe. I definitely agreed with the sparks Being changed more often I had a mis fire a couple of times just because of the plugs. Overall best truck I've ever own! I was a Chevy guy before this one. Will be getting another 3.5 ecoboost soon, just waiting for the price to come down .lol .

[robertlwheeler]

I have this engine in 2015 Flex. Best engine in a vehicle I have owned for sure. I have 107k miles I just had the cleaner run through to clean the carbon out. And you can feel the power come back to the vehicle that I didn't realize I lost. Having thus engine in the Flex definitely make this a sleeper car for sure especially having it in AWD. Great video, thanks for doing this.

[BrickMudge]

The 2.7 is overall Fords best engine, hands down for most people. When it comes to towing, that depends on how heavy, how far and how often. More torque and HP than the V8's and faster on the drag strip than the 3.5. In fact, a tuned 2.7 can beat a hellcat. I have over 203k miles on my 2015 FX4 and it still runs like a beast. I've had no warrantly claims or mechanical failures, and no sign of any problems in the near future. Fingers crossed. I LOVE my truck! And my EcoBoost too!

[mcmuskie]

My 2021 3.5 has been awesome, lots of power and tows very well.
Have a new one on order!

[isimo]

You forgot about the Notorious Cam Phaser issues on 1st & 2nd Generation. Adding a Catch Can is great for illuminating carbonization on pre 17' 3.5's

[mow-it-pros]

Oil on my 2013 EcoBoost gets changed every 7, 500 miles with castrol edge EP, and motorcraft or fram ultra filter. 165k miles, no issues

[d.perkins]

The first 3.5L ecoboost engines were introduced in some Lincoln models as early as 2009. The 450hp H.O. Option(for Raptor only) came in 2017. Great video… Ecoboost owner, car enthusiast. I read alot.