I currently have a 2015 Ram 2500, but it’s more truck than I need. I’m looking into a 2018 F150 with the 3.0 PowerStroke. Any thoughts on reliability or real-world experiences?
Didn’t they already discontinue that engine? That would be a big red flag for me. Otherwise, the 3.0 diesel paired with a half-ton sounds like a good match.
Gray said:
Didn’t they already discontinue that engine? That would be a big red flag for me. Otherwise, the 3.0 diesel paired with a half-ton sounds like a good match.
It’s actually a solid engine. They discontinued it because of low sales, not because it was bad. The trick is to avoid too many short drives and make sure it gets worked regularly.
@Dez
Low sales were partly because Ford only offered it on higher trims at first, which limited its appeal. Other brands made their diesels available across more trims.
Reese said:
@Dez
Low sales were partly because Ford only offered it on higher trims at first, which limited its appeal. Other brands made their diesels available across more trims.
Exactly. If they had stocked more of them on dealer lots, especially for fleets, it might’ve sold better. Instead, it was a niche option.
@Dez
I have a 2019 XLT in my fleet with the 3.0 PowerStroke. It’s a great truck to drive—loads of torque compared to the EcoBoost. But yeah, it wasn’t just a King Ranch-only engine. Still, availability was limited.
@Dez
Manufacturers need to price options smartly for dealers to want them on their lots. Without dealer stock, niche engines like this tend to flop.
Reese said:
@Dez
Low sales were partly because Ford only offered it on higher trims at first, which limited its appeal. Other brands made their diesels available across more trims.
Ford also didn’t market it well. Most salespeople didn’t even know it existed.
Gray said:
Didn’t they already discontinue that engine? That would be a big red flag for me. Otherwise, the 3.0 diesel paired with a half-ton sounds like a good match.
The engine is still made for other markets. It’s used in vehicles like the Ranger and Everest overseas. That might ease concerns about parts availability.
Gray said:
Didn’t they already discontinue that engine? That would be a big red flag for me. Otherwise, the 3.0 diesel paired with a half-ton sounds like a good match.
It’s a Land Rover engine. Hard pass for me.
Won’t be fun when you need parts for a low-production engine only sold in one model for a few years. Your Ram might feel like too much truck, but the Cummins has great aftermarket support and proven reliability.
@Jules
This engine has been built since the early 2000s and is still in production. With the internet, sourcing parts from outside North America is totally doable.
This engine originated from Land Rover. Ford claims they heavily revised it for truck use, but the fact they discontinued it so quickly raises questions.
Perrin said:
This engine originated from Land Rover. Ford claims they heavily revised it for truck use, but the fact they discontinued it so quickly raises questions.
Land Rover refreshed the engine, but Ford didn’t adopt the updates. They were essentially buying the engine from Land Rover after selling the brand.
Perrin said:
This engine originated from Land Rover. Ford claims they heavily revised it for truck use, but the fact they discontinued it so quickly raises questions.
It’s worse than that—it came from a joint venture between Jaguar, Land Rover, Peugeot, and Citroën. Most of the bugs were worked out before Ford used it, though.
My boss picked one up six months ago and loves it. He’s driven it across the country multiple times, often pulling a trailer. Seems like a reliable option so far.
Fin said:
My boss picked one up six months ago and loves it. He’s driven it across the country multiple times, often pulling a trailer. Seems like a reliable option so far.
300K on a 6.4? Original motor? That’s impressive.
@Ellery
Yeah, it ran great but we traded it in for something roomier since we’ve got a baby on the way.
I worked at Ford and rarely saw issues with this engine. Great fuel economy and pulls well. If I could afford one, I’d definitely get it.
I have a 2019 with the 3.0 and love it, but maintenance isn’t cheap. Since it’s a niche engine, parts and service can be a hassle. Techs are often surprised the engine even exists.