Ford’s 5.0-liter Coyote V8 has built a reputation as one of the most dependable, enthusiast-loved engines in the truck world. But now, it’s the subject of a class-action lawsuit claiming the opposite: that certain F-150s burn oil at alarming rates, sometimes faster than they use gasoline. The case, filed in Michigan, centers on 2018–2020 F-150 models and alleges Ford concealed design flaws while leaving owners to foot the bill for constant oil top-ups.
Ford
Owners Say Oil Vanishes Too Quickly
Plaintiffs argue the trucks can consume a quart of oil every 1,000 miles or less, far outside expectations for modern V8s. In some cases, owners report topping off between fill-ups. The suit claims Ford misled customers by publishing optimistic maintenance intervals while quietly adjusting dipstick markings to obscure low levels.
Technical service bulletins acknowledged consumption issues, but Ford never issued a recall. That omission stands out when the company has had no problem issuing massive callbacks for other problems — such as its latest 500,000-SUV recall, which doesn’t even have a fix yet. Owners argue Ford’s selective approach leaves them stranded when the issue cuts into performance and long-term reliability.
2013 Ford Shelby GT500 5.8L V8Ford
Ford’s Defense and Strategy
Ford maintains that some oil consumption is normal and insists the V8 still meets internal durability standards. But critics point to design flaws in piston rings and cylinder coatings, which let oil slip into combustion chambers and burn off. That not only worsens emissions but also undermines confidence in the automaker’s most popular engine.
The timing is tricky for Ford. As it prepares its next wave of affordable EVs — with trademarks for names like Mythic, Hive, Fuze, and Fathom — it can ill afford reputational damage to its bread-and-butter trucks. Consumer trust, once lost, is harder to rebuild than any engine.
Getty Images
Why This Matters
Ford’s F-Series has been the best-selling vehicle line in America for more than four decades. If buyers lose confidence in the 5.0 V8, the ripple effects could be huge, opening the door for rivals to lure loyalists away. Meanwhile, Ford is under pressure to manage recalls, trim costs, and deliver fresh products — including rumors that the automaker could resurrect the Ranchero as an electric midsize pickup. For a company navigating so many transitions, lawsuits like this threaten the very momentum they need for newcomers.
My Final Word
The lawsuit over Ford’s oil-thirsty V8 highlights the precarious balance between engineering legend and corporate liability. Whether the courts find Ford at fault or not, the case underscores a critical truth, that in today’s market, reliability is everything. For Ford, fixing its engines may matter as much as naming its next EV.
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Sep 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
