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Symptoms · 3.5 EcoBoost (gas)

3.5 EcoBoost (gas): overheating or temperature creeping up

2 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. Internal water pump: coolant loss and coolant-into-oil risk Common · 5 complaints
2. Cooling service: thermostats, hoses, degas system under tow load Occasional · 7 complaints · 2 recall/bulletins

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 Internal water pump: coolant loss and coolant-into-oil risk

aggregated How widespread: Common 5 NHTSA owner complaints match it, out of 667 checked

How it shows up

• overheating under tow after unnoticed coolant loss

Its other signs

• unexplained coolant loss with no external leak found
• coolant smell / weep traces at the pump area
• oil that rises on the dipstick / milky residue (advanced case)

How to tell it apart

• pressure-test the cooling system; look for weep traces and check the pump bearing play through the access
• rule out external leaks (hoses, degas bottle, thermostat housing) first
• inspect the oil for coolant contamination at every coolant-loss complaint

Usual fix

water pump replacement (internal, front-cover labor) with fresh coolant and thermostat; oil change immediately if any coolant intrusion is confirmed

Root cause, parts and sources →

2 Cooling service: thermostats, hoses, degas system under tow load

aggregated How widespread: Occasional 7 NHTSA owner complaints match it, out of 667 checked

How it shows up

• temps creeping on long pulls

Its other signs

• coolant smell / puddles (thermostat housing, hoses)
• degas bottle level swings

How to tell it apart

• pressure-test and trace external leaks (housing, hoses, degas)
• verify thermostat opening temps against spec under load
• rule out the water-pump FM (internal weep, coolant-in-oil check) before condemning external hardware

Usual fix

thermostat / housing / hose replacement with fresh coolant

Recalls and bulletins

SSM 50835TSB 21-2373

Root cause, parts and sources →

Other symptoms on the 3.5 EcoBoost (gas)

Hard start, long crank or no-startLoss of power, limp mode or derateLosing coolantOil 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.