Feds probe Ford F-150 EcoBoost for acceleration issues

[Curly]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2013/05/28/ford-f150-ecoboost-governemnt-probe/2367197/

After lawsuits and 95 complaints to government officials, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary investigation into the pride of Ford Motor, its F-150 pickup with EcoBoost engine.

The NHTSA probe is intended to determine if alleged acceleration issues with the recent-model trucks constitutes a safety hazard.

Story: Ohio EcoBoost owners sue Ford

Ford heavily promotes its EcoBoost powerplants as able to save fuel without sacrificing power. And the F-150 is the best-selling vehicle of any kind in the U.S. and has been for decades. Ford can little afford to undercut the image of its EcoBoost as premium engines justifying premium prices, nor tarnish the F-150's image.

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 is in roughly 40% of F-150 pickups. Like all EcoBoost engines, it uses a combination of turbocharging and direct injection to boost power from a relatively small engine. It's also available in other Fords and Lincoln cars, but those aren't under investigation.

The government says roughly 400,000 2011 to 2013 F-150 EcoBoost trucks are under scrutiny.

Ford won't say more than that it is cooperating with the government. Nor will it discuss the Ohio lawsuit that might have sparked federal interest in the potential flaw.

But, Ford does say it addressed last year problems that resembles the ones being investigated. It has told dealers how to fix complaints about EcoBoost power and acceleration that resemble the stalling and power loss issues in the NHTSA probe and the lawsuit.

Does anybody have the scoop on this issue?  Is there really much of a problem with the ecoboost engines, or is it just a small percentage of vehicles that end up with an issue?  (Maybe it is just a Government Motors conspiracy against Ford).


Another article here  says that the problem is "more noticeable during humid or damp conditions".  We sure have damp conditions around here, any of you guys with ecoboost engines have any issues?

Ford won't discuss the lawsuit, but the symptoms it cites — stalling and power loss — match complaints that Ford addressed last year in a bulletin to dealers, and by making a running change on the assembly line. That bulletin tells mechanics how to fix "Intermittent stumble and/or misfire" that is "more noticeable during humid or damp conditions" and "intermittent engine surge during moderate to light loads" in 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engines.

[Taco280AI]

I read about it on various forums, too many times to buy one. Don't know of anyone who owns one or had issues, personally, so who knows.

[dewandgin]

It is a real problem that we have experienced at our Ford dealer many times and have tried to fix with mixed results. It was check a lot of things and reprogram the ECM/PCM or whatever they want to call it this week. I personally think it is a programming issue but not sure.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

So what exactly is the problem? They accelerate to fast or not fast enough?

[Taco280AI]

From what I read, essentially the engine can cut out out and lose all power under hard acceleration which can be dangerous or deadly depending on circumstances.

[hillbilli]

I've been told by dealers "there are no problems with that engine", when i specifically asked about the ecoboost problems.. I wouldnt buy an eco right now, maybe in another year or two when the bugs are worked out.. The new 5.0 motor seems to have a lot of power, but it's also 2mpg behind the eco or the chevy 5.3... (yeah I went and drove both)..   

[Skillet]

I've been told by dealers "there are no problems with that engine", when i specifically asked about the ecoboost problems.. I wouldnt buy an eco right now, maybe in another year or two when the bugs are worked out.. The new 5.0 motor seems to have a lot of power, but it's also 2mpg behind the eco or the chevy 5.3... (yeah I went and drove both)..   

Bet it's only been Ford dealers telling you that 

[bucklucky]

I have talked to a couple people with them and havent had any issues . My Brother just bought a new one monday ..... hmmm

[Curly]

I read where Ford has fixed the issue on the 2013 model F 150's.  Would still make me nervous getting an Ecoboost right now......

[bucklucky]

Check out this video, pretty cool if it is all true .

Ford F150 Ecoboost Torture Test Episodes 1 6 High Quality

[Curly]

Here is the TSB that Ford put out last year:

FORD:
2011-2012 F-150

ISSUE:

Some 2011-2012 F-150 vehicles built on or before 5/24/2012 and equipped with a 3.5L gasoline turbocharged direct injection (GTDI) Ecoboost engine exhibit a steady or flashing malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with various diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) and drivability concerns.
ACTION:

Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
SERVICE PROCEDURE



The calibration update contains improvement actions and enhancements to address the following conditions:

    Intermittent stumble and/or misfire on hard acceleration after an extended drive at highway speeds being more noticeable during humid or damp conditions.
    Intermittent engine surge during moderate to light loads at cruise.
    Powertrain control module (PCM) Misfire DTC P030x.
    PCM DTC P0430 and/or P0299.

NOTE:INSURE ALL HARD FAULT POWERTRAIN DTCS ARE ADDRESSED PRIOR TO PERFORMING THE CALIBRATION UPDATE.

    Check for DTC P0430. Is DTC P0430 present?
        Yes - Replace the left bank catalytic converter assembly. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 309-00. Proceed to Step 2.
        No - Proceed to Step 2.
    Is the Charge Air Cooler (CAC) equipped with an air deflector plate? (Figure 1A)

    Click the image to open in full size.
    Figure 1 - Article 12-6-4
        Yes - Proceed to Step 4.
        No - Proceed to Step 3.
    Install CAC air deflector plate with two new push pins. (Figure 1B) Proceed to step 4.
    Reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration using IDS release 79.02A or higher. This new calibration is not included in the 2012.5 DVD. Calibration files may also be obtained at www.motorcraft.com.
    NOTE:PLEASE ADVISE THE CUSTOMER THAT THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION SHIFT STRATEGY WHICH ALLOWS THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER TO LEARN THE TRANSMISSION'S UNIQUE PARAMETERS AND IMPROVE SHIFT QUALITY. WHEN THE ADAPTIVE STRATEGY IS RESET, THE COMPUTER WILL BEGIN A RE-LEARNING PROCESS. THIS RE-LEARNING PROCESS MAY RESULT IN FIRMER THAN NORMAL UPSHIFTS AND DOWNSHIFTS FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

PART NUMBERPART NAMEBL3Z-5E212-ECatalytic Converter AssemblyW520514-S440Nuts (2 Req)CL3Z-19E672-ADeflector PlateW711281-S300Push Pin (2 Req)

WARRANTY STATUS:

Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage And Emissions Warranty Coverage
IMPORTANT: Warranty/ESP coverage limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. Warranty/ESP coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.
OPERATIONDESCRIPTIONTIME120604A2011-2012 F-150 3.5L GTDI: Check DTCs, Install CAC Air Deflector Plate if Necessary And Reprogram The PCM (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)0.5 Hr.120604B2011-2012 F-150 3.5L GTDI: Check DTCs, Replace The Left Catalytic Converter, Install CAC Air Deflector Plate if Necessary And Reprogram The PCM (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)1.0 Hr.
DEALER CODING

BASIC PART NO.CONDITION CODE5E212 (OPERATION B)126K775 (OPERATION A)42
NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford or Lincoln dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article. The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supercede this information with updates. The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.
Copyright © 2012 Ford Motor Company

[jackelope]

Here is the TSB that Ford put out last year:

FORD:
2011-2012 F-150

ISSUE:

Some 2011-2012 F-150 vehicles built on or before 5/24/2012 and equipped with a 3.5L gasoline turbocharged direct injection (GTDI) Ecoboost engine exhibit a steady or flashing malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with various diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) and drivability concerns.
ACTION:

Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
SERVICE PROCEDURE



The calibration update contains improvement actions and enhancements to address the following conditions:

    Intermittent stumble and/or misfire on hard acceleration after an extended drive at highway speeds being more noticeable during humid or damp conditions.
    Intermittent engine surge during moderate to light loads at cruise.
    Powertrain control module (PCM) Misfire DTC P030x.
    PCM DTC P0430 and/or P0299.

NOTE:INSURE ALL HARD FAULT POWERTRAIN DTCS ARE ADDRESSED PRIOR TO PERFORMING THE CALIBRATION UPDATE.

    Check for DTC P0430. Is DTC P0430 present?
        Yes - Replace the left bank catalytic converter assembly. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 309-00. Proceed to Step 2.
        No - Proceed to Step 2.
    Is the Charge Air Cooler (CAC) equipped with an air deflector plate? (Figure 1A)

    Click the image to open in full size.
    Figure 1 - Article 12-6-4
        Yes - Proceed to Step 4.
        No - Proceed to Step 3.
    Install CAC air deflector plate with two new push pins. (Figure 1B) Proceed to step 4.
    Reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration using IDS release 79.02A or higher. This new calibration is not included in the 2012.5 DVD. Calibration files may also be obtained at www.motorcraft.com.
    NOTE:PLEASE ADVISE THE CUSTOMER THAT THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION SHIFT STRATEGY WHICH ALLOWS THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER TO LEARN THE TRANSMISSION'S UNIQUE PARAMETERS AND IMPROVE SHIFT QUALITY. WHEN THE ADAPTIVE STRATEGY IS RESET, THE COMPUTER WILL BEGIN A RE-LEARNING PROCESS. THIS RE-LEARNING PROCESS MAY RESULT IN FIRMER THAN NORMAL UPSHIFTS AND DOWNSHIFTS FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

PART NUMBERPART NAMEBL3Z-5E212-ECatalytic Converter AssemblyW520514-S440Nuts (2 Req)CL3Z-19E672-ADeflector PlateW711281-S300Push Pin (2 Req)

WARRANTY STATUS:

Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage And Emissions Warranty Coverage
IMPORTANT: Warranty/ESP coverage limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. Warranty/ESP coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.
OPERATIONDESCRIPTIONTIME120604A2011-2012 F-150 3.5L GTDI: Check DTCs, Install CAC Air Deflector Plate if Necessary And Reprogram The PCM (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)0.5 Hr.120604B2011-2012 F-150 3.5L GTDI: Check DTCs, Replace The Left Catalytic Converter, Install CAC Air Deflector Plate if Necessary And Reprogram The PCM (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)1.0 Hr.
DEALER CODING

BASIC PART NO.CONDITION CODE5E212 (OPERATION B)126K775 (OPERATION A)42
NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford or Lincoln dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article. The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supercede this information with updates. The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.
Copyright © 2012 Ford Motor Company

SSM 32227 - 2011-2013 F-150 - 3.5L GTDI - Intermittent Stumble/Misfire On Acceleration From Highway Cruise In Humid Or Damp Conditions With Possible DTC
Some 2011-2013 F-150 equipped with 3.5L gasoline turbocharged direct injection (GTDI) engines may exhibit an intermittent stumble and/or misfire on hard acceleration after extended drive at highway speeds during extreme humid or damp conditions. Vehicle may also exhibit steady or flashing malfunction indicator lamp with Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0304, P0305, P0306 in the PCM. Before attempting repair, inspect the vehicle to see if the updated Charge Air Cooler (CAC) (Engineering Part BL34-9L440-AE for 2011-2012 Model Year and DL34-9L440-AC/AD for 2013 Model Year) and CAC Deflector CL34-19E672-BA are installed. If the latest CAC is not installed, refer to applicable TSB 13-3-3, 12-11-15. If the latest CAC is installed, replacing the CAC again will not correct this condition. Engineering is investigating; continue to monitor OASIS for further updates.

[Alchase]

Before attempting repair, inspect the vehicle to see if the updated Charge Air Cooler (CAC) (Engineering Part BL34-9L440-AE for 2011-2012 Model Year and DL34-9L440-AC/AD for 2013 Model Year) and CAC Deflector CL34-19E672-BA are installed. If the latest CAC is not installed, refer to applicable TSB 13-3-3, 12-11-15. If the latest CAC is installed, replacing the CAC again will not correct this condition. Engineering is investigating; continue to monitor OASIS for further updates.

Sounds like two separate problems to me, one that has to be fixed before you can even test for the second,
LOL