2012 F-150 3.5 ecoboost tow issues?

[breealee]

Anyone having any towing issues with a 3.5 ecoboost F-150. e.g: twin turbo issues, carbon build-up.in tow/haul mode tranny not shifting up and down properly.

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by breealee

Anyone having any towing issues with a 3.5 ecoboost F-150. e.g: twin turbo issues, carbon build-up.in tow/haul mode tranny not shifting up and down properly.

When was the EcoBoost F-150 made? How many miles on the truck? The EcoBoost F150's produced from the original until January 2013 had a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for an Intercooler design issue (condensation formed and made the engine misfire or flat line. The truck computer will spit out a code for a misfire on cylinder #4.

Yes, we encountered the engine misfire when trying to pass a car while in a heavy rain. The truck accelerated to 3000 RPM's and started missing, took foot off throttle for a second and it recovered. No we were not towing the TT. It happened 4 times on our first 500 mile engine break-in. I thought Oh Crap, what did I decide to buy... We took the truck into the dealer upon returning home, the dealer put in on the computer and it showed cylinder #4 had misfired, and the engine code. After researching and calling Ford, they told us that there was a TSB to replace the Intercooler. Called the dealer, he just received the first ones and they replaced it. Since then, no engine problems.

This only seems to happen in high humidity areas (Florida). I believe that they started installing the new redesigned intercoolers in January of 2013.

Not everyone encountered this problem, but if you do and the intercooler has not been replaced FORD will replace it.

So, would I purchase a 2012, knowing that there may be a slight chance of this happening, YES, I would!!! as I know FORD will take care of the problem (TSB)

As far as the trans shifting up and down problems, not a single issue and we have put on 45K so far. We love the way it goes through the gears both up shifting and down shifting. There were some complaints (Ford F150 forum) of towing with gear ratios not intended for towing (other than the 3:73 or 4:11) where the trans would constantly up and down shift when small inclines were encountered on the highways.

No carbon buildup issues...

So after all of this, you ask, would I do it again... you bet I would... love blowing the doors off of other TV's towing up the mountains, smokin' the tires at the stop lights, and still getting over 20+mpg on the highways (without TT), and this is on the 157" frame with the LT tires. Heck my '69 Old's W30 442 only got 5mpg going downhill with a strong wind behind me.

Do your home work to see if the 2012 will be a good fit for your TT.

Are you purchasing from a dealer or is it a private seller?
What I would recommend is get the VIN and see if all the TSB's have been cared for. Check car fax for any accidents. You can check at the Ford dealer to see what maintenance has been done there.

Don

[Heady]

We have a 2013 EcoBoost. No issues, engine has plenty of power, the low end torque is great for hill climbing. Just keep in mind two things: (1) it's a small engine, so down shifting engine braking is not very effective. (2) Gas mileage while towing is 9-11 mpg in my experience.

If I ever decide to get a different truck, it will need to have an EcoBoost engine as I don't think I will ever want to go back to a non-turbo charged motor.

[dmward]

Originally Posted by breealee

Anyone having any towing issues with a 3.5 ecoboost F-150. e.g: twin turbo issues, carbon build-up.in tow/haul mode tranny not shifting up and down properly.

No. Entering my 4th season towing with mine. Disable 6th to stop transmission from shifting a lot.

Although, we are heading to the mountains this summer so stayed tuned! [emoji3]

[Jopopsy]

Originally Posted by breealee

Anyone having any towing issues with a 3.5 ecoboost F-150. e.g: twin turbo issues, carbon build-up.in tow/haul mode tranny not shifting up and down properly.

I really don't think you have anything to worry about:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tEqwXrqzH4

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by breealee

Anyone having any towing issues with a 3.5 ecoboost F-150. e.g: twin turbo issues, carbon build-up.in tow/haul mode tranny not shifting up and down properly.

Why do you say it's not shifting properly? What is it doing? Revving high? Low rpms?

[Jake]

On the other hand , the verdict isn't out on how long these complex turbo type motors that push small displacement engines to max horsepower . Maybe Yes in a short term light weight sports car....but many like me would prefer the reliability and more simple design (with less to go wrong ) with the direct injection V8's that for example GM has with 5.3 liter that gets better real life gas mileage than the turbo V6 Ford has (also known in some circles as Ecobust)

[Jopopsy]

If I were towing a lot or heavy, I'd want that Ecoboost. If I wasn't towing much, or towing light, I'd take the V8.

Mind you, if I get to buy a truck in the next year or two I'd want the V8. I love the sound, and I love how its simpler too. I don't mind getting into the pedal a little to get that torque; makes the engine sound better. But if I were using my truck to TOW, and TOW HEAVY? Give me the Ecoboost.

[kjohn73]

There must be some F150 Ecoboost now with high miles. There are thousands upon thousands of them on the road, company trucks that run all day, everyday. We had a 2013 and now have a 2015. The 2013 gave us exactly 0 problems, nothing, nada. Never had it back to a dealer for anything. The 2015 had a defective driveshaft from new and I had to persist to get a dealer to check more closely. They kept saying tires, but in the end, it was a faulty driveshaft. I love the engine, and all the boogey man stories haven't come to roost on either of our trucks.

[Nukeneck]

Originally Posted by Jake

On the other hand , the verdict isn't out on how long these complex turbo type motors that push small displacement engines to max horsepower . Maybe Yes in a short term light weight sports car....but many like me would prefer the reliability and more simple design (with less to go wrong ) with the direct injection V8's that for example GM has with 5.3 liter that gets better real life gas mileage than the turbo V6 Ford has (also known in some circles as Ecobust)

See Jopopsy's video in post #5

[Mustang65]

Our 2012 F150, with all the towing options, on a 157" frame, is going on 50K miles (probably next month), have ALL required maintenance done by Ford, had Ford replace the battery last month. Will have them change the transmission fluid at 50K, since we do a lot of towing. LT tires this fall.

WE ARE TOTALLY HAPPY!!!!!

Don