Ford F-150 Owner Says He’s “Done With Ford,” at 83K Miles With Too Many Issues, He Adds, “I’m Making the Jump To a 2026 Ram Hemi With a 100k 10-Year Warranty”

When a loyal truck enthusiast declares they are "done with Ford" after just 23,000 miles of ownership, it sends shockwaves through the community, but it’s her pivot to the resurrected 2026 Ram Hemi that has every Ford executive looking over their shoulder.

In the tribal world of American pickup trucks, brand loyalty is usually thicker than engine oil. We see "Ford vs. Chevy" or "Ford vs. Ram" debates rage for decades, often based on heritage rather than headlines. However, the tide is shifting. Modern truck owners are no longer willing to tolerate "shop queens," regardless of the badge on the grille.

The latest viral spark in this ongoing firestorm comes from Shelby Naquin, a member of the Ford F-150 5.0 Owners Facebook community. Her story is a cautionary tale of a "dream truck" turned into a financial and logistical nightmare, highlighting a growing trend of "brand defection" driven by the promise of long-term warranty security at Ram.

It Only Took 23,000 Miles

Naquin’s journey began two years ago when she purchased a 2018 Ford F-150 powered by the celebrated 5.0L Coyote V8. At 60,000 miles, the truck should have been in its prime. Fast forward to 83,000 miles, and the honeymoon hasn't just ended; it has been incinerated.

“I’d like to say it’s been great, but sadly it has not been anywhere near great... I’ve had nothing but issues, and the latest one has forced me to switch back to Ram. Parasitic draws and electrical issues.”

For many F-150 owners, the 5.0L engine is the "safe" choice compared to the complex twin-turbocharged EcoBoost variants. But as Naquin discovered, the engine is only as good as the electronics surrounding it. Parasitic draws, the silent killers of modern vehicle batteries, and unexplained electrical gremlins are notoriously difficult to diagnose and expensive to fix. When a truck becomes unreliable as a daily driver, the "Built Ford Tough" slogan starts to feel like a hollow promise.

Too Many Repair Costs

The 2018-2020 F-150 model years have seen an uptick in reports regarding Body Control Module (BCM) failures and wiring harness issues. While Ford has dominated the sales charts for 47 years, the complexity of its modern electrical architecture is proving a pain point for second- and third-owner owners.

When a vehicle spends more time at the dealership than in the driveway, the owner’s mindset shifts from "maintenance" to "escape." Naquin’s decision to leave wasn’t just emotional; it was a calculated move to stop the bleeding of repair costs.

Why the 2026 Hemi is the "Good Financial Decision"

The most controversial part of Naquin’s departure isn't just that she's leaving Ford, it's where she's going.

The industry was shocked when Stellantis initially signaled the end of the V8 Hemi in favor of the "Hurricane" Twin-Turbo Inline-6. However, rumors and recent dealer whispers suggest that for 2026, the Hemi may see a strategic return or a specialized "Classic" continuation to satisfy the heavy-duty and traditionalist markets.

But for Naquin, the engine is only half the draw. The real "Ford Killer" is the 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty coverage she is eyeing with the new Ram.

"Goodbye, Ford"

Naquin’s exit from the Ford F-150 5.0 Owners group wasn't a quiet one. She noted the hostility from the community, stating, “I didn’t think people on this F-150 owner’s group would be so upset about someone making a good financial decision. Goodbye, Ford.”

This highlights a toxic element of truck culture. When an owner reports legitimate failures, the "fanboy" response is often to blame the owner rather than the manufacturer. But as Naquin correctly points out, a vehicle is a tool and an investment. If the tool breaks and the investment loses value, loyalty is a liability.

Is Ford Facing a "Mass Exodus"?

I’ve been tracking a growing sentiment among F-150 owners regarding the "Golden Era" of trucks. Many feel that the 2015-2017 models represented the peak of aluminum-body reliability, while the 2018+ models introduced 10-speed transmission (10R80) woes and greater electrical complexity.

Meanwhile, Ram has consistently ranked high in J.D. Power Initial Quality studies and has aggressively pursued Ford’s market share by offering more luxurious interiors and smoother-riding coil-spring rear suspensions. By pairing those features with a massive 100k warranty, Ram is positioning itself as the "safe haven" for burned Ford owners.

Customers Want Trucks That Will Last a Decade

As a senior reporter covering the industry, I see Naquin’s story as a bellwether. We are entering an era where Warranty is King. With the average price of a new pickup exceeding $60,000, consumers are no longer willing to gamble on out-of-pocket repairs for electrical failures.

Ford needs to address these "parasitic draw" issues and BCM failures with more than just TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins); they need to regain the trust of the secondary market. If the 80,000-mile mark becomes the "danger zone" for F-150 owners, they will continue to look toward brands that back their products for a full decade.

Ram's Time To Shine?

Shelby Naquin isn't just "leaving Ford." She is voting with her wallet. Her move to a 2026 Ram Hemi represents a shift back to simplicity and security. For Ford, it’s a lost customer who likely won't return for another twenty years. For Ram, it’s a victory handed to them by their competitor's quality control issues.

The question remains: Will other F-150 owners follow suit, or is this just a "lemon" story in a sea of success? Given the viral nature of Naquin’s departure, Ford might want to start listening to the owners on the ground before the "Hemi Jump" becomes a stampede.

What do you think? Is Ford’s reliability slipping, or is a 10-year Ram warranty too good to pass up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Next Up: “I Walked Into the Ford Dealer, Asked For the Dumbest F-150 With the Biggest Engine, I Left My Bronco Sport and Drove Home In This Dream F-150 XL Regular Cab”

With over 30 years of industry experience, Denis Flierl brings an insider’s perspective to Torque News, where he has been a Senior Reporter since 2012. Before picking up the pen, Denis consulted for the automotive industry's biggest brands and honed his skills as a test driver. He cuts through the noise to deliver the latest auto news, compelling owner stories, and the expert analysis necessary to navigate today's changing automotive market.

Have a tip or question? Follow me on X @DenisFlierl and @WorldsCoolestRides, or connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Shelby Naquin