Which 14th-gen F-150 engine should I buy?

If you tow under 7,000 pounds and want the lowest cost of ownership, the 2.7L EcoBoost is the answer. If you want the best long-term engine, the 5.0L Coyote V8 is still it; 200k-plus on the original long block is normal, and 2026 is the last year you can get it (only on STX Lobo). The 3.5L EcoBoost makes the most torque and is the right pick if you tow heavy or drive a lot of hills, but factor a phaser job into the budget on 2021-2023 trucks. The PowerBoost is the right call if you use Pro Power Onboard for jobsite tools or want hybrid-class fuel economy. Avoid the 3.3L if you can; it is the only 5W-20 engine in the lineup and gives up too much torque to the EcoBoost twins for not much fuel savings.

Is the 3.5L EcoBoost cam phaser issue fixed?

On 2024-plus trucks, yes, by all reports. On 2021-2023 trucks the open question is whether you have the ML-series revised phasers (later TSB 23-2143 supersession part). The fix is a $3,000 to $5,000 job at a dealer if you are out of warranty, or covered at dealer discretion if you are still inside powertrain. The tell is a 1 to 3 second rattle on cold start, often with codes P0008 or P0016. Pull the trouble codes before you buy a used 2021-2023 truck and have the seller pop the airbox so you can listen on a true cold start.

What oil filter does the 14th-gen F-150 use?

It depends on the engine. The 3.5L EcoBoost, 3.5L EcoBoost HO (Raptor), 5.0L Coyote V8, and 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid all use the Motorcraft FL-500S. The 2.7L EcoBoost is the odd one out: it takes the smaller Motorcraft FL-2062-A, not the FL-500S, so do not assume one filter covers the whole lineup. The 3.0L PowerStroke diesel (2021 only) uses Motorcraft FL-2081. Always confirm the filter against your owner's manual or a Ford parts counter for your exact engine.

Why does Ford spec Mercon ULV instead of Mercon LV in the 10R80?

Mercon ULV (ultra-low viscosity, Ford WSS-M2C949-A) is a different specification from Mercon LV (WSS-M2C938-A) and Mercon V. The 10R80 has tighter internal clearances and a different friction modifier package that demands ULV. Mercon LV will cause harsh shifts and converter shudder. Mercon V will damage the transmission. Buy the Motorcraft yellow-cap fluid or a properly licensed Mercon ULV like Valvoline or Castrol Transmax.

What size 12V battery does the 14th-gen F-150 use?

It is not one single group for the whole lineup, and the split runs by trim as well as engine. Per Interstate's own F-150 application-guide data, base trims on the 2.7L, 3.3L, and 3.5L EcoBoost carry a Group 48 (760 CCA) battery, while the PowerBoost hybrid and higher trims (Lariat and up) step up to the larger Group 94R (800 CCA). Ford's own Motorcraft parts catalog separately lists a Group 65 battery under the F-150 umbrella, so a Group 65 swap can be a legitimate cross-fit on some configurations even though it is not the documented factory group for either row above. The safest move is to read the BCI group stamped on your own battery's case before you order a replacement. The 12V battery is what cranks the engine; on the PowerBoost, the 1.5 kWh lithium-ion traction battery under the bed is a separate system that powers Pro Power Onboard and assists the engine, and a BMS calibration update, not a bigger 12V battery, is the real fix for the PowerBoost state-of-charge complaints.

Does the F-150 14th-gen have a rear wiper?

No. Two 22-inch beam blades, driver and passenger, no rear wiper on any trim or body style. Cabin glass is fixed in the SuperCab and SuperCrew rear; the regular cab has a rear sliding window on most trims but no wiper.

Is the 5.0L Coyote really dropped for 2026?

Mostly. The only 2026 F-150 that comes with the 5.0L Coyote V8 is the STX Lobo, the lowered street-truck appearance package. Every other trim that previously came with the 5.0L now starts on the 3.5L EcoBoost. If you want the Coyote in an XLT, Lariat, or Tremor, 2025 is the last year. The 5.0L still lives in the Mustang and the Bronco Raptor; F-150 buyers have to take the Lobo to get it.

The 14th Generation Ford F-150 Clubhouse

Ford F-150 (14th Gen, 2021-Present) Owner's Hub

The 14th-gen F-150 launched in 2021 on the P702 chassis. Six gasoline engines (3.3L V6, 2.7L EcoBoost, 5.0L Coyote V8, 3.5L EcoBoost, 3.5L HO Raptor, 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid) plus a one-year 3.0L PowerStroke diesel and the 2023-on Raptor R's supercharged 5.2L Predator V8. Every gas engine except the 3.3L (5W-20) specs 5W-30 (WSS-M2C961-A1); oil filter is the FL-500S on the 3.5L and 5.0L, FL-2062-A on the 2.7L. 10R80 10-speed is universal. 2024 refresh added a 12-inch screen, LED headlights lineup-wide, and Pro Access Tailgate. 5.0L V8 dropped from most trims for 2026.

Photo: Bull-Doser / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Production: 2021-2026
Engines: 3.3L · 2.7L · 5L · 3.5L · 3.5L · 3.5L · 3L · 5.2L
Coyote V8 typical life: 200k+mi

Configure your truck

Year

Cab

Trim

What your F-150 takes

The parts and fluids that fit this generation. Specs we publish are confirmed against two independent sources; the rest fill in as we verify them.

Wiper blades22" driver · 22" passenger✓ VerifiedView
Headlight bulbsH11 low · 9005 high✓ VerifiedView
Tire pressure35 psi✓ VerifiedView
Wheel fitment18x8.5 ET44✓ VerifiedView
Engine oil5W-20 (6 qt) · 5W-30 (6 qt) · 5W-30 (7.8 qt) · 5W-30 (WSS-M2C961-A1) (6 qt) · 5W-30 Motorcraft Diesel (WSS-M2C171-F1) (6 qt) · 5W-50 Motorcraft Full Synthetic (WSS-M2C931-C) (10 qt)From owner's manualShop
Oil filterMotorcraft FL-2062-A (2.7L EcoBoost, 2021-2026) · Motorcraft FL-500S (3.5L EcoBoost incl. HO Raptor, 5.0L Coyote, 3.5L PowerBoost, 2021-2026) · Motorcraft FL-2081 (3.0L PowerStroke diesel, 2021) · every 5,000 miFrom owner's manualShop
Engine air filterNot yet verified for the 14th-gen airbox. The Motorcraft FA-1883 family (and its WIX 49883 / FRAM CA10262 cross-references) is the 12th/13th-gen F-150 filter, with catalog coverage ending at the 2019 model year; do not carry it over to a 2021-2026 truck without confirming against your VIN at a Ford parts counter.From owner's manualShop
Cabin air filterMotorcraft FP-92 (standard paper, all gas engines 2021-2026; no activated-carbon variant offered) · EPAuto CP150 (aftermarket OEM-equivalent with activated carbon and baking-soda layer)From owner's manualShop
Spark plugsMotorcraft SP-594 (2.7L EcoBoost; supersedes SP-542), SP-580X (3.5L EcoBoost and 5.0L Coyote; supersedes SP-580) · every 60,000 miFrom owner's manualShop
CoolantMotorcraft Yellow WSS-M97B57-A2From owner's manualShop
Brake fluidMotorcraft DOT 4 LV High-Performance (WSS-M6C65-A2, PM-20)From owner's manualShop
Transmission fluidMotorcraft Mercon ULV (WSS-M2C949-A) for the 10R80 10-speedFrom owner's manualShop
Differential fluidRear: 75W-85 (Motorcraft Premium Synthetic Hypoid Gear Lubricant, WSS-M2C942-A) (~2.3 qt) · Front: 75W-85 (Motorcraft Premium Synthetic Hypoid Gear Lubricant, WSS-M2C942-A) (~1.8 qt) · T-case: Mercon LV ATF (Motorcraft, WSS-M2C938-A) (~1.6 qt)From owner's manualShop
BatteryParts in catalogShop
Brake rotorsParts in catalogShop
Tire sizeNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
Key fob batteryNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
Serpentine beltNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
Brake padsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
ThermostatNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
A/C refrigerantNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
Fuel filterNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
Power steering fluidElectric power steering — no fluid.N/A

Floor mats

Our top custom-fit pick for the Ford F-150 is the Husky Liners Weatherbeater Floor Mats 1st & 2nd rows.

Floor mats for the Ford F-150 →

Heritage · 14th Generation F-150

2021-2026

1948
F-Series is born
The first F-Series rolls off the Rouge line. Bonus-Built marketing. The F-1 through F-8 nameplate covers half-ton to heavy-duty.
1975
F-150 nameplate debuts
Ford slots an F-150 between the F-100 and F-250 to dodge tightening emissions rules on the F-100. The half-ton heavyweight is born.
2015
Aluminum body
13th-gen launches with an all-aluminum body. Brand promise: 700-plus pounds lighter, same towing. Industry watershed.
2021
14th gen launches
P702 platform debuts with the first-ever full-hybrid F-150 (3.5L PowerBoost), Pro Power Onboard generator, BlueCruise hands-free hardware, and a flat-folding interior work surface.
2024
Mid-cycle refresh
12-inch SYNC 4 standard, LED headlights standard lineup-wide, Pro Access Tailgate debuts. Raptor R bumped from 700 hp to 720 hp. The screen-era F-150 starts here.

Last verified: May 2026.

The 14th-generation Ford F-150 (P702 chassis, 2021 onward) is the screen-era F-150. PowerBoost hybrid, Pro Power Onboard, BlueCruise hands-free, and the truck that finally pushed the 5.0L Coyote V8 to the bench. Owners argue about three things on this generation: whether the 3.5L EcoBoost phasers are really fixed, whether the 10R80 10-speed will smooth out with a reflash or needs new clutches, and whether the 5.0L is worth chasing in its last year before the 3.5L EcoBoost takes over the lineup.

Full editorial copy lands when the per-category product slates ship. Picks and recommendations below resolve to live products as soon as Phase 2 wires them in.

Common problems, ranked by severity

1. Brake master cylinder front-circuit fluid leak
catastrophic
NHTSA recalls 20V-332, 22V-150, and the 2025 expansion 25V-236 covered master cylinders that can leak fluid from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster, causing extended pedal travel and reduced braking. Free dealer replacement; check VINs on owner.ford.com.
Years affected: 2021-2022
2. 3.5L EcoBoost cam phaser failure (2021-2023)
expensive
The 13th-gen cam-phaser rattle on cold start (codes P0008/P0016) carried into the 14th-gen 3.5L EcoBoost. The earlier CSP 21N03 covered 2017-2020 trucks only. 14th-gen owners are outside that program; Ford issued TSB 23-2143 and follow-ups with revised ML-series phasers, but coverage is at dealer discretion under powertrain warranty. Out-of-warranty repairs run $3,000 to $5,000.
Years affected: 2021-2023
3. SYNC 4 and 12-inch screen black-outs and reboots
expensive
The center touchscreen freezes, goes black, or reboots on its own, sometimes taking the backup-camera image with it while reversing. Buggy SYNC 4 software (versions 1.7 to 1.9) is the usual cause; a coax-cable fault between the camera module and the A-pillar drives separate cases. Ford issued TSB 23-2146 for the camera wiring and a fleet-wide rear-camera recall, NHTSA 25V-315 (Ford 25S49), over a million 2021-2025 vehicles. Fix is a free dealer software update plus coax replacement where needed.
Years affected: 2021-2025
4. 10R80 10-speed harsh shifts and converter shudder
Minor
Clunky 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, harsh downshifts, and a low-rpm shudder when the torque converter locks in 7th through 10th gear. TSBs 21-2145, 24-2046, and 24-2101 address calibration and clutch updates. A class-action suit was filed in 2023. Annoying, rarely catastrophic; most cases respond to a reflash.
Years affected: 2021-2025
5. PowerBoost 12V battery state-of-charge quirks
Minor
Dead 12V auxiliary battery after short hops, intermittent auto-start-stop failures, false low-battery warnings. BMS calibration updates have addressed many cases. The hybrid traction battery is not the failure point; the conventional 12V starter battery gets undercharged by the BMS logic.
Years affected: 2021-2024
6. Aluminum tailgate warp and panel-gap complaints
cosmetic
Some early-production trucks show visible tailgate warping or hood and fender misalignment, likely tied to thermal cycling during 2020-2021 chip-shortage build slowdowns when partially built trucks sat outside at Kentucky Speedway. Dealers adjust panel gaps under warranty; severe warps need a new tailgate.
Years affected: 2021-2023

Year-by-year notes

2021: 14th-gen launch. First-ever F-150 full hybrid (3.5L PowerBoost) with Pro Power Onboard up to 7.2 kW. Last year for the 3.0L PowerStroke diesel. Heavy chip-shortage production constraints; thousands of partially built trucks stored awaiting modules.
2022: 3.0L PowerStroke diesel discontinued. BlueCruise hands-free rolled out via OTA to equipped trucks. Tremor available with 5.0L. Lightning EV enters production (separate platform branch). TSB 22-2315 covers phaser updates.
2023: F-Series 75th-anniversary Heritage Edition. Raptor R debuts with the supercharged 5.2L Predator V8 at 700 hp. Tremor adds the 3.5L EcoBoost. Final year for the 3.3L base V6.
2024: Mid-cycle refresh. New fascia and grille. 12-inch digital cluster plus 12-inch SYNC 4 standard. LED headlights lineup-wide. Pro Access Tailgate debuts. Raptor R bumped to 720 hp. PowerBoost goes 4WD only. SuperCab 8-foot bed dropped.
2025: Lightning EV discontinued at end of MY. STX Lobo appearance/performance package debuts with the 5.0L V8 and lowered street-truck styling. ActiveX synthetic leather standard on Lariat. Brake master cylinder recall expanded under 25V-236.
2026: 5.0L V8 dropped from most trims; retained only on STX Lobo. 3.5L EcoBoost becomes standard on former-5.0L trims. PowerBoost available on STX Mid. 2WD returns to several trims. Largely a carryover MY otherwise.

Trim decoder

XL (2021-2026)
Fleet and work-spec base. Crank windows on Regular Cab through 2023; vinyl floor optional. Halogen reflector headlights through 2023.
STX (2022-2026)
Appearance package on the XLT bones. 20-inch wheels, body-color grille, blacked-out badging. Returned for 2022 after a one-year gap.
XLT (2021-2026)
The volume seller. Cloth seats, 8-inch SYNC 4 through 2023, dual-zone climate optional. Most-rebated trim at most Ford dealers.
Lariat (2021-2026)
Leather, heated and ventilated seats, LED headlamps standard, 12-inch screen post-2024 refresh. The trim most enthusiasts settle on.
King Ranch (2021-2026)
Western theme, two-tone Kingsville leather, massage seats post-2024. Sits above Lariat and below Platinum.
Platinum (2021-2026)
Luxury-spec interior, multicontour front seats, 360-degree camera standard. BlueCruise hardware-equipped from launch.
Limited (2021-2026)
Top-of-the-line. Camel-back leather, 22-inch wheels, 3.5L EcoBoost or PowerBoost only. BlueCruise standard.
Tremor (2021-2026)
Off-road appearance package on XLT/Lariat bones. 33-inch all-terrains, FOX shocks, locking rear, 3.5L EcoBoost or 5.0L.
Raptor (2021-2026)
37-inch tires (optional), FOX Live Valve, 3.5L EcoBoost HO at 450 hp. Pre-runner desert truck.
Raptor R (2023-2026)
Supercharged 5.2L Predator V8. 700 hp at launch, 720 hp for 2024-onward. The reason to buy a 14th-gen new.
Heritage Edition (2023-2023)
75th-anniversary one-year-only XLT/Lariat package. Two-tone paint, retro 'FORD' grille script, throwback wheels.
STX Lobo (2025-2026)
Lowered street-truck package on the 5.0L V8. Only trim still offering the Coyote for 2026.

What owners actually buy

Hand-picked from the CarCareTruth catalog, ordered to match the spec card above. Every score is health + chemistry + effectiveness, in one number.

Engine oil (5W-30 WSS-M2C961-A1 for 2.7L / 3.5L / 5.0L; 5W-20 for 3.3L V6 2021-2023)

CCT Top Picks

Full-synthetic 5W-30 for the EcoBoost and Coyote engines

Ford WSS-M2C961-A1 specs full-synthetic 5W-30 across the 2.7L EcoBoost, 3.5L EcoBoost (incl. HO Raptor), 5.0L Coyote V8, and 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid. Mobil 1 and Pennzoil Platinum are the dominant volume picks at this spec. Ford's OEM interval is 7,500 mi via the intelligent oil-life monitor; the owner's manual lists severe-service triggers (towing, sustained idling in heat, dusty conditions) that step the interval down.

Pennzoil
Ultra Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil
CCT 7.6Health 8.5Quality 8.0
See Price on Amazon →See review
Mobil 1
High Mileage Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30
CCT 7.5Health 8.8Quality 7.4
See Price on Amazon →See review
AMSOIL
Signature Series 5W-30 100% Synthetic Motor Oil
CCT 7.5Health 8.5Quality 7.4
See Price on Amazon →See review

Oil filter (Motorcraft FL-500S for 3.5L / 5.0L; FL-2062-A for the 2.7L)

Cabin air filter (Motorcraft FP-92 cross-reference)

Spark plugs (SP-580X for 3.5L EcoBoost / 5.0L Coyote; SP-594 for 2.7L EcoBoost)

Wiper blades

Verified fit: 22″ both front blades · no rear wiper

Confirmed across 3 independent fitment sources. See blades that fit & add the right sizes to your cart →

Brake fluid (DOT 4 Low-Viscosity)

Headlight bulbs (H11 low / 9005 high on halogen trims; LED standard 2024+)

Car wash soap (pH-neutral)

Paint protection (hybrid ceramic spray)

The 14th generation F-150 board

Where owners talk. Live group at /groups/14th-gen-f150.

FAQ

Which 14th-gen F-150 engine should I buy?: If you tow under 7,000 pounds and want the lowest cost of ownership, the 2.7L EcoBoost is the answer. If you want the best long-term engine, the 5.0L Coyote V8 is still it; 200k-plus on the original long block is normal, and 2026 is the last year you can get it (only on STX Lobo). The 3.5L EcoBoost makes the most torque and is the right pick if you tow heavy or drive a lot of hills, but factor a phaser job into the budget on 2021-2023 trucks. The PowerBoost is the right call if you use Pro Power Onboard for jobsite tools or want hybrid-class fuel economy. Avoid the 3.3L if you can; it is the only 5W-20 engine in the lineup and gives up too much torque to the EcoBoost twins for not much fuel savings.
Is the 3.5L EcoBoost cam phaser issue fixed?: On 2024-plus trucks, yes, by all reports. On 2021-2023 trucks the open question is whether you have the ML-series revised phasers (later TSB 23-2143 supersession part). The fix is a $3,000 to $5,000 job at a dealer if you are out of warranty, or covered at dealer discretion if you are still inside powertrain. The tell is a 1 to 3 second rattle on cold start, often with codes P0008 or P0016. Pull the trouble codes before you buy a used 2021-2023 truck and have the seller pop the airbox so you can listen on a true cold start.
What oil filter does the 14th-gen F-150 use?: It depends on the engine. The 3.5L EcoBoost, 3.5L EcoBoost HO (Raptor), 5.0L Coyote V8, and 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid all use the Motorcraft FL-500S. The 2.7L EcoBoost is the odd one out: it takes the smaller Motorcraft FL-2062-A, not the FL-500S, so do not assume one filter covers the whole lineup. The 3.0L PowerStroke diesel (2021 only) uses Motorcraft FL-2081. Always confirm the filter against your owner's manual or a Ford parts counter for your exact engine.
Why does Ford spec Mercon ULV instead of Mercon LV in the 10R80?: Mercon ULV (ultra-low viscosity, Ford WSS-M2C949-A) is a different specification from Mercon LV (WSS-M2C938-A) and Mercon V. The 10R80 has tighter internal clearances and a different friction modifier package that demands ULV. Mercon LV will cause harsh shifts and converter shudder. Mercon V will damage the transmission. Buy the Motorcraft yellow-cap fluid or a properly licensed Mercon ULV like Valvoline or Castrol Transmax.
What size 12V battery does the 14th-gen F-150 use?: It is not one single group for the whole lineup, and the split runs by trim as well as engine. Per Interstate's own F-150 application-guide data, base trims on the 2.7L, 3.3L, and 3.5L EcoBoost carry a Group 48 (760 CCA) battery, while the PowerBoost hybrid and higher trims (Lariat and up) step up to the larger Group 94R (800 CCA). Ford's own Motorcraft parts catalog separately lists a Group 65 battery under the F-150 umbrella, so a Group 65 swap can be a legitimate cross-fit on some configurations even though it is not the documented factory group for either row above. The safest move is to read the BCI group stamped on your own battery's case before you order a replacement. The 12V battery is what cranks the engine; on the PowerBoost, the 1.5 kWh lithium-ion traction battery under the bed is a separate system that powers Pro Power Onboard and assists the engine, and a BMS calibration update, not a bigger 12V battery, is the real fix for the PowerBoost state-of-charge complaints.
Does the F-150 14th-gen have a rear wiper?: No. Two 22-inch beam blades, driver and passenger, no rear wiper on any trim or body style. Cabin glass is fixed in the SuperCab and SuperCrew rear; the regular cab has a rear sliding window on most trims but no wiper.
Is the 5.0L Coyote really dropped for 2026?: Mostly. The only 2026 F-150 that comes with the 5.0L Coyote V8 is the STX Lobo, the lowered street-truck appearance package. Every other trim that previously came with the 5.0L now starts on the 3.5L EcoBoost. If you want the Coyote in an XLT, Lariat, or Tremor, 2025 is the last year. The 5.0L still lives in the Mustang and the Bronco Raptor; F-150 buyers have to take the Lobo to get it.

The shortlist

One top pick per category, fitting your F-150

Skip the comparison. The Best Of page shows the single highest-scored CarCareTruth product in every category that fits the 14th generation F-150.

See the Best Of →

Sources

Ford owner's portal, 2021-2026 F-150 owner's manuals (capacities and fluid specs) · accessed 2026-05-28
Motorcraft FCSD oil application chart (5W-30 spec coverage) · accessed 2026-05-28
NHTSA recall database (campaigns 20V-332, 22V-150, 25V-236) · accessed 2026-05-28
Ford F-Series, fourteenth generation, Wikipedia (production years, trims, refresh notes) · accessed 2026-05-28
F150gen14.com forum (community-confirmed fluid specs and TSB threads) · accessed 2026-05-28

Owner specs

At a glance

Years: 2021–2026
Generation: P702
Engines: 3.3L V6 (3.3L Ti-VCT V6) · 5W-20
2.7L V6 (2.7L EcoBoost V6) · 5W-30
5L V8 (5.0L Coyote V8) · 5W-30
3.5L V6 (3.5L EcoBoost V6) · 5W-30
3.5L V6 (3.5L EcoBoost HO V6 (Raptor)) · 5W-30 (WSS-M2C961-A1)
3.5L V6 (3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid V6) · 5W-30 (WSS-M2C961-A1)
3L V6 (3.0L PowerStroke Diesel V6) · 5W-30 Motorcraft Diesel (WSS-M2C171-F1)
5.2L V8 (5.2L Predator Supercharged V8 (Raptor R)) · 5W-50 Motorcraft Full Synthetic (WSS-M2C931-C)
Transmissions: 10-speed automatic (10R80) · 10-speed modular hybrid (10R80 with electric motor module, PowerBoost)
Drive: RWD (4x2) / 4WD (4x4)
Cab / bed: Regular Cab · SuperCab · SuperCrew
Tow: 5,000-14,000 lb
MPG (combined): 20-25 mpg
MSRP then: $30,635-$109,995
Used now: $28,000-$95,000
Biggest watch-out: 3.5L EcoBoost cam phaser issues carried into 2021-2023 trucks. The 13th-gen CSP 21N03 covered 2017-2020 only; 14th-gen owners are not covered, so phaser jobs land at dealer discretion.

Last verified May 28, 2026