Are 2013-2014 6.7 Powerstrokes worth it?

Hey all,

I’ve been watching YouTube videos and reading posts, but I keep finding mixed opinions about the 6.7 Powerstroke engines. Some say the 2011-2012 models are a no-go, but they don’t say much about the 2013-2014 trucks. Others claim that all the 2011-2014 models are plagued with the same issues, and you should only look at 2015-2016.

I’m trying to figure out the most common issues with the 2013-2014 Powerstrokes and how likely they are to cause problems if I buy one. Where I live, 2015+ trucks start around $27k, but I’ve seen 2014s listed for $22k. I previously owned a 6.4 Powerstroke, so I’m cautious about buying something that might have unknown reliability issues.

What do you guys think? Are the 2013-2014 trucks worth it?

Here’s the breakdown:

  • 2011 models: They had some early issues like defective valves causing glow plug failures, but most of those trucks either had the problem fixed or didn’t have the bad parts in the first place. Practically a non-issue today.

  • 2011-2012 models: These used ceramic bearings in the GT32 turbocharger, which were known to fail. This was fixed in 2013. If the turbo goes, you can replace it with a 2015+ GT37 turbo, which is a direct drop-in and much more reliable.

  • 2011-2014 models: All of these trucks used the CP4 fuel pump, which can fail catastrophically if it gets water contamination. It’s rare but possible. This was upgraded in 2015 with the CP4.2 pump, which is also a direct replacement for older models.

The 2015 models got a lot of updates, including the bigger GT37 turbo, a better fuel pump, and some minor tweaks. That’s why they’re so desirable.

TL;DR: A 2013-2014 truck isn’t inherently riskier than any other used diesel that’s 6-10 years old. With some preventative upgrades (like swapping the turbo and fuel pump for 2015+ parts), you could have a reliable truck for less than the cost of a newer one.

@Mal
Two years later and this is still super helpful! Thanks for the detailed explanation.

@Mal
Thanks so much for breaking this down! This really makes me reconsider the 2013-2014 models in a better light.

The biggest issue with the early models (2011-2012) was glow plugs breaking apart and damaging the engine. Turbo failures were also pretty common on those years.

The 2013-2014 engines are much better overall. The 2015+ trucks got a small power bump (40hp and 60lb-ft of torque), but honestly, it’s not a massive difference. When I upgraded from a 2013 to a 2015, the performance improvement was noticeable but not life-changing.

Just make sure you have a good mechanic inspect the truck before you buy it, and you should be fine. Personally, I’d avoid the 2011-2012 models but wouldn’t hesitate to get a 2013 or 2014.

@Wren
This is really helpful—thank you! I appreciate the honest comparison.

The 2011 models had some issues with injector hold-down bolts breaking. By 2013-2014, most of the major problems had been fixed, except for the turbo, which was updated in 2015. As long as you’re not running high tunes or pushing the truck hard, the early models can still be great.

@Ali
Thanks for clearing that up. Most of the info I’ve found online has been either poor or just fearmongering, so this helps a lot!