My F-150 became a ‘$60k paperweight’ when engine failed – dealership owes me $10k but after 8 months I’m still waiting

A COUPLE experienced engine failure after 93,000 miles – the automaker agreed to pay for half of a new engine but kept them waiting.

The engine, on average, lasts around 150,000 miles.

CityNews

CityNews

CityNews

Jeff and Sabrina Veljkovic bought a brand new F-150 with a six-cylinder EcoBoost engine in 2019 from an Oakville, Toronto , Canada dealership.

Jeff owns a concrete business and wanted a tough Ford truck to help him move equipment.

Especially since he’s been a faithful Ford owner for many years.

“This was my dream vehicle and I worked hard and saved money to get it,” he told City News .

“Now it’s a $60,000 paperweight.”

The truck served him for 93,000 miles before the engine failed in January of 2023.

“It was surprising to us at the time because he kept it so well maintained,” said Sabrina.

The couple was shocked, especially since both were vigilant about keeping up with maintenance.

“I had an impeccable service record. They can track it. It’s in their system,” Jeff said.

The outlet reported the six-cylinder EcoBoost engine has an average lifespan of 150,000 miles.

Since his motor failed at 93,000 miles, he was well outside of the warranty parameters for free replacement.

In good faith, the couple contacted Ford Canada asking for help.

Especially since the price tag for a new engine and labor runs around $20,000.

“Almost right off the bat they offered to cover 50 percent of the cost for us, which was great at the time,” said Sabrina.

The automaker instructed them to put a $2,000 deposit to reserve a new engine and start the process and were initially told the engine would arrive within a month.

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However, the Veljkovics found themselves waiting much longer than that.

“What followed over the last eight months has been a series of broken promises,” said Sabrina.

“I’ve gone to the CEO, I’ve gone to numerous different social media channels just hoping to shed some light on the issue, and hopefully, maybe if they see us on the news, they’ll respond to us.”

The outlet contacted Ford Canada and was told the engine would arrive soon.

What's wrong with the V6 EcoBoost engine?

The NHSTA investigated the engine after defective intake valves were found to become hard and brittle during manufacturing.

Over 800 V6 EcoBoost engines have been replaced in the US due to the “silchrome” lite valves which were prone to become “excessively hard and brittle” if the manufacturing process became too hot.

In 2021, Ford implemented a design change as part of a TSB, changing the material of the intake valves to a different alloy that is more tolerant of temperature changes during machining.

In September of 2024, Ford issued a recall for 2021-2022 Broncos, Edges, Explorers, Lincoln Natilus, and Aviators equipped with the V6 EcoBoost engine due to the valves.

The fix is an engine replacement, free of cost to the customer.

Source: Ford Authority

“The process will take approximately two weeks, inclusive of sending the engine offsite for repair and taking the long weekend into account,” read an email from Ford.

The Veljkovics were excited by the promise of a new engine after nearly a year but remained wary.

“We’ve been promised timelines in the past and they haven’t been met, so we just have to wait and see,” Jeff said.