Ford Engine Problems

Engine issues make up roughly 17% of all Ford owner complaints. The majority of the issues have been reported by F-150 owners.

The complaint we hear about most often is spark plugs blown out of motor in the 2002 F-150.

Common Ford Engine Problems

  3. 3.5L EcoBoost Shakes

    Ford promised a direct-injected EcoBoost engine capable of producing power while achieving better fuel efficiency. But owners generally categorize the engine as under-powered, prone to catching on fire, and subject to shaking, shuddering an…

    Continue reading article "3.5L EcoBoost Shakes" Black arrow pointing to charge air cooler system

  4. Spark Plugs Stuck in Triton Engine

    Replacing spark plugs in cars has been a relatively simple task since Henry Ford mastered the assembly line, that is unless you have a Ford V8 engine from 2004-2008. Those 3-valve engines hold on to their spark plugs like an anaconda choki…

    Continue reading article "Spark Plugs Stuck in Triton Engine"

  5. Spark Plugs Ejected in Triton Engine

    Ford Triton engines are spitting out spark plugs like sunflower seeds, but the suits in Detroit act like there isn't any problem. They're wrong. We believe this defect affects the following 2-valve engines: Triton 4.6L V8, 5.4L V8, 6.8L V10…

    Continue reading article "Spark Plugs Ejected in Triton Engine"

  6. ETB Puts Escape in Limp Home Mode

    It's been a long road for electronic throttle body (ETB) complaints in Ford and Mercury vehicles. It's been an even longer road for owners with ETBs that are prone to sudden surges, dangerous stalls, and being sent into 'limp home mode' whi…

    Continue reading article "ETB Puts Escape in Limp Home Mode"

Where Engine Complaints Happen

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

Worst Models

Recent Engine News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. One of Ford's "solutions" to excessive oil concerns in the F-150 was to install new dipsticks with lowered minimum fill level markings. No wonder they're getting sued.

    A proposed class-action lawsuit says Ford needs to properly address oil consumption issues in the 5.0-liter Coyote engine.

    A couple major flaws inside the engine draw excess oil into the combustion chamber where it is burned off. Not only does this mean the engine uses much more oil than advertised, but all that additional carbon buildup causes wear on ignition and emissions equipment.…

    keep reading article "2018-2020 F-150 Owners Sue Ford Over Excessive Oil Consumption Concerns"

  2. Ford has recalled over 874,000 F-Series trucks with engine block heaters that can start a fire when plugged into the wall.

    The automaker believes a low and unshielded mounting position is allowing road salt to corrode the heater cable’s splice connector, causing at least three known fires.

    Block heaters are made for cold climates. Road salt is too. I'm not sure how those blockheads forgot to shield those cables in the first place.

    keep reading article "Engine Block Heaters Recaled for Starting Fires in F-Series Trucks"

  3. Ford has issued a small but important electrical recall for 87 vehicles with improperly secured power supply cables.

    The cables are at the starters and alternators and the unsecured connections could cause electrical arcs. Those arcs could easily start fires.

    There are so many recalls these days that it’s no longer shocking when brand new vehicles get called back for repairs. But it really makes you wonder wire these automakers can’t get their act together.

    Puns aside, find out if your vehicle is affected here. It only takes a minute, so watt are you waiting for?

    keep reading article "Unsecured Connections Are Causing Electrical Arcs in Newer Ford Models"

  5. Defective electronic throttle bodies (ETB) are causing Ford vehicles to suddenly decelerate and enter "limp home" mode, which is like trying to drive a snail through a molasses puddle.

    A lawsuit that is seeking class-action certification wants Ford to fix their ETBs.

    "The plaintiff wants Ford to pay damages and equitable relief, fix all vehicles named in the lawsuit by replacing the electronic throttle bodies, inform consumers through advertising campaigns about the dangers of sudden unintended deceleration and educate consumers about their pre-purchase or pre-lease legal rights once all the facts are known."…

    keep reading article "Another Ford Throttle Body Lawsuit"

  6. 'Tis the season for holiday cookies, silent nights, a dashboard that stays lit like a Christmas tree, and frantically stepping on the gas pedal wondering why your SUV is no longer accelerating.

    OK, those last two are special "treats" for 2016 Ford Explorer owners. Owners complain about vehicles that lose power while driving, leaving drivers urgently pressing the gas pedals to no avail. Symptoms typically include seeing a "wrench light" illuminated with the words, "See Manual," all while the SUV loses speed as it enters "limp home mode."

    If this has happened to you than you'll be happy to hear an investigation has been opened to determine if a lawsuit is needed. It's not as helpful as a recall, but it's a step in the right direction. The investigation is focusing on the throttle body – a part, which many owners have told us, is not readily available.

    keep reading article "Possible Lawsuit for 2016 Explorer 'Limp Home' Mode"

  7. Each car has an EVAP system that traps fuel vapors before they escape the gas tank.

    Those vapors are stored in a charcoal canister and then, in certain situations, a purge valve opens and allows some of the vapors out to be burned off by the engine. But what happens when the purge valve sticks open?

    According to a proposed class-action lawsuit, a stuck purge valve is causing the 2012-15 Ford Focus engine to run rough and sometimes even stall. Additionally, the valve is causing problems with the gas gauge.…

    keep reading article "Focus Purge Valve Causing Engine Stalls?"

  8. What happens when the fuel injection pump stops injecting fuel? Not much transiting, that's for sure.

    Just ask owners of the 2015-2016 Ford Transit with the 3.2L diesel engine. The automaker says the fuel injection pump may malfunction and cause the engine to fail to start or the engine may stall without warning, leaving the driver without the ability to restart the van.

    Ford didn't say when the recall will begin because that would be helpful. They did say dealerships will need to inspect the fuel system for metallic contamination.

    keep reading article "5th Generation Transit's Fuel Injection Pumps Have Been Recalled"

  9. The engine block heaters in the 2016 Explorer are taking "warming up the car" to a whole new level ... by setting the engines on fire.

    Ford Says a "bad combination of the engine block and heater can cause the heater to catch on fire, something that has occurred at least two times in Canada. Fortunately the fires didn't cause any accidents or injuries.

    Ford didn't say when the recall will begin.

    keep reading article "Explorer Engine Block Heaters Are Taking Things Too Far"

  11. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed their investigation into engine problems in the 2011-13 F-150 after Ford sent a technical service bulletin to dealers on how to fix the problem.

    NHTSA had received 95 complaints about the 3.5L EcoBoost engine in F-150 trucks misfiring. The misfires would only happen under humid or rainy conditions.

    The EcoBoost engine uses twin turbochargers that compress air to increase the engine's power, and what Ford found was condensation building up inside of the air cooler tubes. When the condensation is high enough, up to three cylinders can misfire.…

    keep reading article "Engine Investigation Closed for the 2011-2013 F-150"

  12. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed their investigation into electronic throttle body (ETB) problems in Ford vehicles after Ford agreed to fix 1.6 million of their cars and SUVs.

    Just don't call it a recall. Oh no, Ford has spun this one into a "customer satisfaction program." The program extends the warranty on the ETB for up to 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle and encourages owners to visit a Ford dealer to have their vehicle's software updated.…

    keep reading article "Ford Agrees to Fix 1.6 Million Vehicles That 'Limp Home'"

  13. First, Ford said to stop driving your Escape until it could get repaired. Now they're saying that "repair" probably didn't work.

    Ford is recalling 9,500 Escapes because a previous recall might not have fixed the problem. The affected vehicles were manufactured from October 5, 2011, through July 11, 2012. Ford says the engine compartment fuel line may have been installed incorrectly when repaired under the prior recall. The placement of the fuel line could cause irritation to the line and cause it to leak.

    All affected vehicles, repaired or otherwise, need to be inspected.

    keep reading article "Chestnuts Still Roasting on an EcoBoost Fire"

  14. Ford has been sued over acceleration issues with their V6 EcoBoost engine.

    Ford says it's related to the angle of the drive shaft. Or in Ford's words 'driveline windup'," complained the upset Ford owner. “Since they haven't been able to find a similar truck without the problem, they've washed their hands of the problem by claiming it's ‘characteristic’ of the vehicle and an ‘acceptable’ vibration. It's not acceptable to me."

    The V6 EcoBoost is an option in the 2010-2013 Ford Flex, Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKT and Lincoln MKS; the 2011-2013 Ford F-150; and the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport.

    keep reading article "EcoBoost Lawsuit Says the Engine Shakes and Rattles, Before it Rolls"

  15. It's never a good sign when an automaker tells you to stop driving your vehicle immediately.

    Ford said the engine compartment fuel line could split and leak fuel, which could cause the SUV to go up in smoke. The affected vehicles are equipped with the 1.6L EcoBoost engine and total about 11,500 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada.

    Ford is so concerned about these fires they don't even want you driving to the dealership for repairs. Instead, they'll arrange to have your Escape towed. Seriously.

    keep reading article "Ford to 2013 Escape Owners: Stop Driving, Immediately."