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Symptoms · 3.5 EcoBoost (gas)

3.5 EcoBoost (gas): hard start, long crank or no-start

5 documented failures on this engine list this among their signs. They are ordered from the most widespread down. Each one shows the signs in its record's own words, how to tell it from the others, the usual fix and any recall or bulletin.

  1. Cam phaser / VCT rattle and cam-timing DTCs Very common · 107 complaints · 3 recall/bulletins
  2. Ignition misfires: spark plugs and COP coils Very common · 84 complaints · 3 recall/bulletins
  3. Internal mechanical failures / long-block decisions Occasional · 43 complaints · 1 recall/bulletin
  4. Low-pressure fuel delivery (in-tank pump / pressure faults) Occasional · 3 complaints · 1 recall/bulletin
  5. High-pressure fuel pump (GDI) failures Occasional · 1 complaints

Not sure which engine you have, or want the recalls for your exact truck? Check your VIN: it names the engine and lists the campaigns for that model year. Whether a recall is still open on your VIN: nhtsa.gov/recalls.

1 Cam phaser / VCT rattle and cam-timing DTCs
aggregated How widespread: Very common 107 NHTSA owner complaints match it, out of 667 checked

How it shows up

  • rough or delayed cold start
Its other signs
  • cold-start rattle or ticking that fades as oil pressure builds
  • MIL with cam-timing DTCs (P0011/P0015/P0016-P0019/P0021/P0025) or VCT circuit codes (P0365/P0369)
  • PCM updates required after VCT unit or long-block replacement (per Ford SSM)

How to tell it apart

  • listen for the cold-start rattle versus a deeper knock; warm-engine repeat check
  • scan cam-timing and VCT DTCs on both banks; freeze-frame at start
  • verify oil level/condition and oil-filter type before condemning phasers

Usual fix

phaser / VCT unit replacement with the updated hardware and the PCM calibration update; oil-system service while in there

Recalls and bulletins

21N08TSB 20-2315SSM 48055

Root cause, parts and sources →

2 Ignition misfires: spark plugs and COP coils
aggregated How widespread: Very common 84 NHTSA owner complaints match it, out of 667 checked

How it shows up

  • hard start after misfire events
Its other signs
  • MIL with misfire DTCs P0300-P0306
  • rough idle and flashing MIL under load
  • lack of power on the high-output tune (2019 Limited TSB case)

How to tell it apart

  • read misfire DTCs and freeze frames; identify the cylinder pattern
  • swap-test the coil on the misfiring cylinder; inspect the plug for gap/erosion
  • check for CAC-condensation events (multi-cylinder, humid-weather single event) before condemning ignition parts

Usual fix

full set of plugs (turbo service interval, not the NA interval) plus the failed coil(s); boot/inspect on every cylinder

Recalls and bulletins

SSM 50412TSB 19-2286TSB-14-0160

Root cause, parts and sources →

3 Internal mechanical failures / long-block decisions
aggregated How widespread: Occasional 43 NHTSA owner complaints match it, out of 667 checked

How it shows up

  • sudden engine death / no restart
Its other signs
  • deep knock or metallic noise
  • coolant or oil loss with internal damage confirmed
  • long-block replacement recommended by the shop

How to tell it apart

  • before condemning the block: verify which upstream mode escalated (chain, water pump, turbo, oil supply)
  • borescope / compression / leak-down to scope the damage
  • cost-compare long block vs repair given the parts-pass prices; document the escalated mode for the record

Usual fix

long block / short block replacement with the SSM-required PCM calibration updates; fix the upstream cause in the same job

Recalls and bulletins

SSM 47394

Root cause, parts and sources →

4 Low-pressure fuel delivery (in-tank pump / pressure faults)
aggregated How widespread: Occasional 3 NHTSA owner complaints match it, out of 667 checked

How it shows up

  • no-start / extended crank, more pronounced cold
Its other signs
  • power loss under load from fuel starvation
  • MIL with P0087-family codes

How to tell it apart

  • log low-side fuel pressure at rail inlet, cold and hot
  • verify pump power/ground and the filter state before pump replacement
  • apply the cold-weather bulletin triage below -15C before parts

Usual fix

in-tank pump module / filter service; wiring correction where the fault is electrical

Recalls and bulletins

TSB-14-0067

Root cause, parts and sources →

5 High-pressure fuel pump (GDI) failures
aggregated How widespread: Occasional 1 NHTSA owner complaints match it, out of 667 checked

How it shows up

  • long crank on start-up
Its other signs
  • random misfires / hiccups under acceleration
  • sudden power loss in motion
  • MIL with fuel-pressure DTCs (P0087 family)

How to tell it apart

  • log fuel rail pressure desired vs actual on a hot restart and under load
  • check for P0087/P0088 and for metal on the HPFP follower path (oil analysis)
  • rule out the in-tank pump and filter before the HPFP

Usual fix

HPFP replacement with the full fuel-contamination procedure (flush/rails/injector inspection) when the pump failed internally

Root cause, parts and sources →

Other symptoms on the 3.5 EcoBoost (gas)

Loss of power, limp mode or derateLosing coolantOverheating or temperature creeping upOil leak, oil consumption or rising oil levelTicking, knocking, rattle or whineMisfire, rough idle, hesitation or surging

Everything on the 3.5 EcoBoost (gas)Its recalls and bulletins

Order: how widespread each failure is in its record (near-universal, very common, common, occasional, rare), then the number of NHTSA owner complaints that match its keywords. Complaint counts are keyword matches, not a manual review of each complaint. A symptom listed here means the failure is documented with that sign; it is not a diagnosis of your truck. Tiers: verified, aggregated, contested, data-gap. How we tier and source facts.