About this problem
Cam phasers are oil-pressure-driven gears on the ends of the camshafts that shift valve timing to improve power and fuel economy. When they wear, or when oil pressure is low right after a cold start, they rattle loudly for a few seconds. Left alone, the wear can spread to the timing chain and its guides and cause rough running and check engine lights, and the repair involves taking the front of the engine apart.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Ford F-150 since 2012, 652 (3.4%) describe engine rattle on start-up (cam phasers), the third most reported problem we track on the F-150. The reports cluster on the 2017, 2018 and 2019 model years, and the 2018 drew the most, with 233. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 56,000 and 100,000 miles. One report describes a crash or fire linked to it. No recall covers it, but Ford has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
Owners of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost F-150 describe a loud rattle for a few seconds after a cold start, sometimes followed by a check engine light and rough running. The noise usually comes from worn cam phasers or a stretched timing chain, and complaints cluster on 2017 to 2019 trucks.
How it gets fixed
The repair is replacing the cam phasers, timing chain and related parts. Ford issued service bulletins on this and extended coverage on some trucks, so ask a dealer to check the VIN.
Typical cost: A cam phaser and timing chain job typically costs $2,000 to $3,500.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"Rattle on start up. This truck sat for a couple of hours to over night and the engine sounded like a diesel for between 15 and 30 seconds. This seems to be a common issue with the truck engine the 3.5l EcoBoost."
2017 Ford F-150, 38,000 miles
"At <30,000 miles the engine would make a 'diesel' like rattle for several seconds on a cold start."
2018 Ford F-150, 29,500 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Ford has sent dealers 14 bulletins that mention this problem on the F-150. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
In some of the affected vehicles, an undesirable noise may develop from the cam phasers in the 3.5L GTDI engine.
Certain 2017-2020 Model Year F-150, 2018-2020 Expedition, and 2018-2020 Navigator Vehicles Equipped with a 3.5L GTDI Engine Cam Phaser Replacement; Owner letters are scheduled to mail during the week of September 27, 2021 Submi...
Some 2023-2025 F-150 Raptor vehicles equipped with a 5.2L engine may exhibit an exhaust rattle/rasp on a cold start.
Some 2021-2025 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L/5.2L engine, 2021-2025 F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome/F59 Commercial Stripped Chassis vehicles equipped with a 6.8L/7.3L engine and 2021-2026 E-Series/F-650/F-750 vehicles equippe...
Some 2021-2026 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L/5.2L engine, 2021-2025 F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome/F59 Commercial Stripped Chassis vehicles equipped with a 6.8L/7.3L engine and 2021-2025 E-Series/F-650/F-750 vehicles equippe...
Certain 2017-2020 Model Year F-150 Equipped with a 3.5L GTDI Engine Cam Phaser Replacement In some of the affected vehicles, an undesirable noise may develop from the cam phasers in the 3.5L GTDI engine.
Before you buy a F-150
- Start the truck cold, ideally after it has sat overnight, and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds.
- Ask whether the cam phasers or timing chain have been replaced.
- Scan for stored timing codes.
Questions
Which Ford F-150 years have engine rattle on start-up (cam phasers)?
Complaints are highest for the 2017, 2018, 2019 model years. The 2018 drew the most, with 233 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 72,000 miles, and half reported it between 56,000 and 100,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
A cam phaser and timing chain job typically costs $2,000 to $3,500.