Ford F-150 Owner Says, “One Thing About Owning a New F-150 Is That You Need a Backup Vehicle So When It’s In the Shop Every Other Month, You Still Have Transportation”

When your 2019 Ford F-150 truck spends more time on a lift than on the road, the most important feature isn't horsepower; it’s having a second car.

Imagine spending $60,000 on a gleaming new Ford pickup, expecting years of rugged reliability, only to find yourself memorizing the layout of the dealership service lounge while your "backup" car becomes your primary driver. 

This frustrating reality is exactly what Jesse James shared on the Ford F-150 Owners Facebook page, highlighting a troubling trend for the modern American workhorse. He says,

“One thing about owning a new Ford F-150 is the fact that you need to own a backup vehicle also. This way, when it's in the shop every other month, you can still have transportation. But honestly, I thought that's why we bought new vehicles, so you don’t need a second vehicle?”

“I wish I still had my 2008 F-250 with the V10, which, in the 12 years I've owned it, I never had to bring it to the shop. The only thing that went out was the alternator and battery. Easy self-fixes. This 2019 F-150 is so much better, (NOT) it's in the shop again for who knows how long. At 25,000 miles, I put in a new transmission, and at 54,000 miles, a new motor. There were about 20 other visits for other things. I think the dealership should go halves on this truck. They have it as much as I do. Can Ford go back to making reliable trucks, or is this the new way to make money?”

"Built Ford Tough" Is Under Fire

I’ve spent the last 30 years in the automotive industry, from the grease-stained floors of service bays to the driver’s seat of nearly every new model launch. As a Senior Reporter here at Torque News, I’ve seen cycles of excellence and eras of "planned obsolescence." But the story Jesse James shares isn't just an isolated "lemon" incident; it's part of a growing chorus of owners who feel the "Blue Oval" has traded durability for complexity.

When you purchase a new vehicle, the implicit contract is that you are buying peace of mind. You pay a premium to avoid the Saturday afternoons spent under a hood with a wrench. However, for many 2018 to 2024 F-150 owners, that contract feels broken. The shift toward the 10-speed 10R80 automatic transmission and high-strung turbocharged engines has introduced a level of fragility that simply wasn't present in the old-school V10 or the early 5.0L Coyote days.

The 10-Speed Transmission: A Masterpiece or a Mess?

The most common "pain point" I hear from my readers involves the 10-speed automatic transmission. While it was designed to optimize fuel economy and keep the engine in its power band, the execution has been plagued by "hard shifts," "gear hunting," and premature failure of the CDF drum.

As I noted in a previous report, Is the 2025 Ford F-150 10-Speed Transmission Finally Fixed? Owners Say No, even the newest iterations are still showing signs of the dreaded "clunk" that has left thousands of owners stranded. If your truck is jumping from 4th to 1st gear or hesitating when cold, you aren't just imagining it. This is a mechanical design flaw that Ford has attempted to "patch" with software updates, but often, the only real fix is a full rebuild or replacement.

You Shouldn't Need a "Backup Car" 

Jesse's experience of needing a new motor at 54,000 miles is staggering for a modern vehicle. We are seeing an uptick in issues ranging from excessive oil consumption in the 5.0L V8s to cam phaser rattles in the 3.5L EcoBoost engines. These aren't just minor inconveniences; they are "engine-out" repairs that can sideline a truck for weeks.

In my coverage of these ongoing struggles, I’ve seen owners reaching their breaking point. Just recently, I wrote about an owner who had enough: 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.” The exact sentiment driving this "mass exodus" from the brand Jesse expressed is the need for a backup vehicle. If you can’t trust your primary truck to get you to work, what is the point of the $1,000 monthly payment?

The "Money Pit" Reality

My advice for those currently dealing with these headaches is twofold. First, do not ignore the symptoms. If you feel a rough shift or hear a rattle at startup, document it at the dealer immediately while under warranty. Second, consider the long-term value. In the current market, some F-150 owners are finding themselves with massive negative equity because trade-in values are tanking due to the truck's reputation for requiring shop visits.

I've explored this financial trap in detail here: My Ford F-150 Has Lost So Much Value, $20K In Negative Equity Since Ford Decided to Tank the Brand Due to Reliability and Cutting Corners. It is a heartbreaking situation for a loyal owner to be "upside down" on a truck that doesn't even run.

Key Takeaways for F-150 Owners

• Check the TSBs: Always ask your dealer to check for the latest Technical Service Bulletins regarding the 10-speed transmission software.
• The 5,000-Mile Rule: Ignore the truck's "Oil Life Monitor" if it pushes you to 10k miles. For these complex engines, 5,000-mile synthetic oil changes are cheap insurance.
• Extended Warranties: If you plan to keep a 2018+ F-150 past the factory warranty, a Ford ESP (Extended Service Plan) is almost mandatory.
• Documentation is Power: Keep every service record. If your truck spends more than 30 days in the shop, research the "Lemon Law" requirements in your state.

What F-150 Owners Are Saying

The frustration isn't limited to Facebook. On Reddit, the sentiment is equally heated as owners share their "shop stories."

"My 2019 10-speed transmission burnt up last week. It's 5 years old and 91k miles. Anyone know of a current class action I can join?" u/PermissionMassive744 on Reddit

"Took my 2018 F150... told them it was jerking and shifting hard... less than 6 months later, the truck got stuck in first gear and would not move. Told me I need a new transmission and it's going to cost me $7900." u/CellCaster89 on Reddit

"My 2015 3.5 Ecoboost... dealer says both main seals need to be replaced. Cost is around $10k... A new engine would be $15k. This is a surprising amount of money based on my history." u/Dslwraith on Reddit

Wrap It Up: I want my truck to start and drive every morning.

The modern Ford F-150 is a marvel of technology, but technology is only as good as its reliability. When an owner like Jesse James looks back fondly on a 2008 V10 model that required only an alternator in 12 years, it highlights a massive gap in current manufacturing priorities. Ford needs to realize that for a truck owner, "cool features" will never replace the simple confidence that the truck will start and drive every single morning.

It's Your Turn: Have you had to buy a "backup car" just to keep your life moving while your F-150 was in the shop? Share your story in the comments below.

Next Up: Think the 10-speed is the only issue? Think again. Check out my report on why some owners are ditching their trucks for an unexpected reason: Ford F-150 Interior “Boring Black” Outrage: Why Owners Are Envious of the Expedition's Cabin.

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 Jesse James