"Such A Money Pit": 2019 F-150 Owner Explains Why He Is Finally Done With Ford

• See why a 2019 Ford F-150 owner labels his truck a "money pit" after suffering cam phaser failure at 76,000 miles and a transmission replacement at 101,000.
• Discover how repeated powertrain issues and engine knocking are forcing long-time Ford loyalists to question the brand's reliability and consider switching to competitors.

Ford F-150 Brand Loyalty Tested

For many truck owners, brand loyalty runs deep, but repeated high-dollar mechanical failures are pushing even the most dedicated Ford fans to the breaking point. The frustration is palpable for Brian Mosley, a member of the Ford F-150 Owners Facebook group, whose experience with his 2019 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost has turned into a financial nightmare. After battling a cascade of well-known powertrain issues, including cam phaser failure and a transmission replacement just out of warranty, Mosley is questioning his future with the Blue Oval.

Brian's situation isn't an isolated incident. I am seeing a growing pattern of long-time owners reaching their limit with these specific failures. In a similar case I reported on recently, An F-150 Owner Won't Buy Another Ford, Says, "I Have Serious Buyers Remorse One Year In, Between the Transmission and the Underpowered Oil Burning Engine", noting that for many, the "Built Ford Tough" slogan is beginning to ring hollow when faced with repair bills that rival the truck's trade-in value.

Mosley's situation highlights the specific mechanical "trifecta" that plagues this generation of F-150s: cam phasers, the 10-speed automatic, and engine knock. As I discussed in my report here, the 10R80 transmission has been a sore spot for years, with harsh shifting and failures occurring well before the expected lifespan of a modern truck.

Mosley writes:

"I have a 2019 Ford F150, 3.5. The Cam Phasers had to be replaced at 76K, covered under warranty. It needed a new 10-speed transmission at 101K, which was not covered under warranty, and now I hear knocking in the engine. How in the world am I going to stay loyal to a company that has turned into a money pit for me? I take care of my vehicles and have not even used this truck much for towing. I know, I should have gotten a 5.0, but that's the same transmission, and other issues. Ford is about to lose me, but where the heck would I go? GM products are dog crap, and Toyota is way overpriced and overrated. Hmmmmmmmmmm."

The "Rock and a Hard Place" Dilemma

When a truck owner loses faith in their primary brand, the emotional instinct is to jump ship immediately. But Brian hits on a painful reality of the modern full-size truck market: there is no perfect sanctuary.

His hesitation about Toyota being "overpriced" is a common refrain. The "Toyota Tax" is real, and for some, the cost of entry is simply too high, despite the promise of better reliability. However, for those who have reached their breaking point with domestic repairs, the switch can be liberating. I chronicled this exact transition in my story, "I Ditched My 2021 Ford F-150 For This Toyota Tundra, Now All My F-150 Repair Problems Are Fixed Forever, Goodbye, I'm Out", where one owner decided the premium price was worth the peace of mind.

Then there is his take on GM: "GM products are dog crap."

Brian is right to be skeptical. If he switches to a Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra to escape Ford's transmission woes, he might just be trading one headache for another. We've seen widespread reports of lifter failures in GM's V8 engines that can be just as catastrophic as Ford's cam phaser issues. I recently covered a story in which a 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 owner says, "It Broke So Often, I Made GM Buy It Back," proving that the grass isn't always greener on the General Motors side of the fence.

What Other F-150 Owners Are Saying

Brian is far from alone in his frustration. A quick look at recent discussions on social media platforms like Reddit reveals a community divided between loyalty and mechanical exhaustion.

On a recent Reddit thread discussing 10R80 Transmission Failures, user Tushaca shared a sentiment that mirrors Brian's almost exactly. After multiple replacements, they wrote:

"It's a big enough problem to be considered common... I've had mine replaced three times now. This is the 18th truck I've owned and the only one that's ever given me transmission trouble. Everyone else I know that's had a 17-20 complaint about the same thing (even the ones that haven't failed yet)."

Meanwhile, Brian's hesitation to switch to Toyota is validated by others who have shopped the competition. In a separate discussion comparing the Tundra vs. F-150, user ColdCouchWall warned that the "grass isn't greener" on the Toyota side anymore:

"The new Tundra is ass, I cross shopped both of them, and the new Tundra has a lot more problems. Toyota has taken advantage of its reputation for being reliable and has begun pumping garbage."

These owners confirm Brian's worst fear: The modern truck market is currently a minefield of expensive repairs, regardless of the badge on the grille.

So, where does a frustrated Ford owner go?

Brian has two difficult choices: bite the bullet on the Toyota price tag and hope the new Tundra recalls are sorted, or stick with the "devil he knows" and repair the F-150. It's a frustrating time to be a truck buyer who prioritizes longevity over fancy tech.

It's Your Turn

Brian is stuck in a position no truck owner wants to be in: holding the keys to a vehicle he can no longer trust, while facing a market full of expensive, imperfect alternatives. He is caught between the "devil he knows" in his high-maintenance Ford, a GM alternative he fears is unreliable, and a Toyota option that hurts his wallet.

We want to hear from you. 

If you were in Brian's shoes with a paid-off but problematic 2019 F-150, what would you do? Would you pay to fix the engine knock and keep the truck, bite the bullet on the higher price for a Tundra, or take a gamble on a different brand entirely?

Click the red link below to write your comment. We read and appreciate every response.

Next Up: Are you thinking of trading your older truck for a brand-new model? Before you sign the papers, you need to read my latest report: Is the 2025 Ford F-150 10-Speed Transmission Finally Fixed? Owners Say No.

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 automotive landscape.

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