The Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra Share 1 Detrimental Problem
You wouldn’t expect the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150 to have much in common. But both of these full-size beasts compete for success as the best work, luxury, or off-roading truck. Somehow, both the 2023 Ford F-150 and the 2023 Toyota Tundra made a similar mistake along the way.
The 2023 Ford F-150 and 2023 Toyota Tundra both have weak reliability scores
Over the past few years, the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150 made significant powertrain upgrades that may have led to delving reliability scores. According to J.D.Power, both the 2023 Toyota Tundra and the 2023 Ford F-150 have a reliability ranking of 78 out of 100.
Scores between 70 and 80 are average, while ratings between 81 and 90 are above average, and scores in the 91 and 100 range are best. So, both of the trucks have fallen from the above-average section.
The 2022 F-150 has a score of 86, so something happened to make it drop by six points. The 2022 Tundra has a 70, so it’s making an impressive comeback. But the 2021 model had an 86, so it also experienced a massive drop.
The rankings are based on issues reported by owners of previous model years. A survey is sent to thousands of vehicle owners, allowing them to report on every single struggle they faced, from the paint, accessories, transmission, engine, exhaust, and more.
It seems like an influx of complaints could be related to the introduction of hybrid engines in both trucks. So, are hybrid engines less reliable than traditional ICE engines? Other surveys indicate that hybrid SUVs are often more reliable.
Is the Tundra Hybrid or F-150 Hybrid better?
The 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid may seem like the better option because it’s more efficient and can tow more. The F-150 PowerBoost pairs the 3.5-liter V6 engine with an electric motor and a battery pack to generate 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque.
It gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and up to 26 mpg on the highway. This estimate was spot on during our testing. It can also tow up to 12,700 lbs and carry a payload of up to 2,120 lbs.
The 2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid uses the Hybrid Max powertrain. It paired the 3.5-liter V6 engine with a battery electric system to crank out 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. It gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and up to 24 mpg on the highway.
We never got above 18 mpg during our testing. Also, it can tow up to 11,450 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,680 lbs.
Also, the F-150 Hybrid is a bit sportier, with a faster acceleration and more direct steering. The brakes are more confident as well.
What are the biggest F-150 and Tundra hybrid problems?
Both the Ford F-150 Hybrid and Toyota Tundra Hybrid have reports of rough transmission shifts. The shifts are jerky and often accompanied by loud knocking sounds. Some drivers experienced a sudden loss of power or got stuck in limp mode a random times.
Other problems include delayed acceleration or randomly lurching forward in traffic. At highway speeds, the trucks would suddenly stall and lose engine power. Also, a few trucks failed to hold a charge.
The F-150 faced a unique issue with the motor axle bolts. The rear axle bolts were prone to being sheared off. Some drivers were unaware of the missing bolts until their tires were rotated.
Stay tuned as we continue tracking these trucks for issues. Until then, do you think the hybrid engines are to blame for decreasing reliability rates?
