Hey everyone. I'm new to this forum stuff, so if this is in the wrong place I apologize. I bought my first truck about 3 months ago, its a 2008 F150 XLT 4x4 extended cap with a 4.6 with 75k miles. I love my truck. More than I thought I would. I love it so much, I'm ready to upgrade to a couple years newer. I have new truck fever. I've found 2011 and 2012 F150 XLT 4x4 extended cabs in the mileage and price range I'm looking at.


I've been doing a lot of research and reading but a lot of times complaints are heard louder than the good. So my question is, so far, what seems to be the major known issues with the 2011 5.0? I am looking at the 2012 Ecoboosts also but prefer the v8 of the 5.0. Plus I can find mileage lower and lower priced than the 12's EB.

 

Any help and/or advice is very much appreciated, towards helping me purchase my second Ford truck. Don't want to buy a lemon or make a mistake. Ready to make a purchase that will last 200k miles or a lifetime, whichever comes first.

 

Only major complaint I am hearing about with the 5.0 is the ticking and Knocking issue and having to have engines replaced.

 

I can't speak for other forums but there have been very few complaints about the 5.0 on this site. I put 85,000 on a 2011 and now have 34,000 on my 2014 and have had zero issues. Love the engine and would buy another one.

 

From what I have gathered, there are very few and far between with motor issues. The best thing I can recommend is to do a cold start, listen under the hood and then get it up to running temp and listen again. If it knocks or ticks loudly, move on. If you're looking at 2011's, keep in mind that they have been on the road for a while and have some miles under their belt. This works in your favor as the motor is likely to have already developed the symptoms if it happens to be a problem motor.

It also is worth it to have the truck inspected independently. Roughly around $100, it's money well spent.

 

Thank you guys. Appreciate all this advice. This is helping a new Ford owner.

 

Yes sir, will do. The trucks I'm looking at and 2011 and 2012 with under 70k miles.

 

What about the 2012 with 3.7 v6? Are they good and strong? Reliable? Many issues?

 

The 3.7 is very solid, very few issues.

 

Thank you sir. I've found a couple 2012 with 60k-70k miles I really like. Just not sure about the turbos or what is or isn't to many miles for these trucks. I got really lucky to get my 08 with 75k miles. The truck I do upgrade to and hopefully soon, will be my last for a while. Id like it to last 10 or 20 years. Lol

 

Is the 3.7 v6 the turbo ecoboost?

 

No, the twin turbo is the 3.5. There were some problems with some of the 2011 engines, but those issues were ironed out by 2012 trucks.

 

The 3.7 is the base non-turbo V-6. It replaced the 2 valve 4.6.

 

Thanks glc, didn't know that. Appreciate everyone's help so far. From reading on here so far, seems the roar and reliability of the 5.0 seems to be more popular over the v'6s. I know when I bought my 4.6, everyone told me about cam phaser and spark plug issues. I've had neither one. But seems the 5.0 might be a little better motor than my 4.6.

 

Your 08 4.6 doesn't have cam phasers and uses a regular spark plug so It doesn't have those problems like the 3V 5.4. If you decide to keep your current truck the 4.6 should last a long time.

If you do get a 2011+ truck you'll be surprised how far they've come from the 04-08's. As long as you check it over well you should be good with any engine you get.