Ford F-150’s Oil-Guzzling Engines: What California Drivers Should Know

A new class-action lawsuit has surfaced, alleging that certain 2018–2020 Ford F‑150 trucks equipped with the 5.0‑liter Coyote engine consume oil at unusually high rates—so excessively that owners must add oil far more often than the owner's manual ever intended. This challenge is being litigated nationwide, including in California—a state known for its consumer-friendly protections

What the Lawsuit Claims

According to the complaint, the design of the piston ring assembly and cylinder coatings allows engine oil to leak into the combustion chamber instead of staying where it belongs. Once inside, the oil burns away, leading not only to frequent oil top-offs, but also reduced engine performance, diminished fuel efficiency, harmful carbon deposits, and long-term engine damage

Plaintiffs claim that Ford has been aware of the issue since as early as August 2018. Despite issuing special service messages and technical service bulletins (TSBs) to dealerships, Ford never issued a formal recall. In many cases, warranty repairs were limited to temporary fixes—like recalibrating systems or replacing dipsticks—without addressing the root cause

Ford’s Defense Strategy

Ford has moved to dismiss the case, arguing that its internal benchmarks define “normal” oil consumption—citing a supposed industry standard of 10,000 miles per quart (MPQ). Ford claims that any variations are within acceptable parameters and that affected owners received free repairs under warranty when they reported issues. Additionally, Ford maintains some plaintiffs bought their vehicles before the alleged internal knowledge of the defect, weakening claims of presale awareness

What This Means for California Owners

Even with the class-action underway, California owners of affected trucks have an option: filing an individual lemon law claim. Since California’s lemon law is designed to protect consumers from vehicles that repeatedly fail to perform, you may be entitled to a repurchase, replacement, or cash settlement—especially if:

• You've made multiple repair attempts for oil consumption issues.

• Your vehicle was down for extended periods due to repairs.

• You continue to experience problems after dealership fixes.

Many consumer advocates caution that class-action settlements often offer modest compensation. Pursuing an individual lemon law claim could yield better results, tailored specifically to your experience and losses

Real Voices, Real Frustration

Online forums are flooded with stories from frustrated F‑150 drivers. One owner shared:

“Every 3k miles I have to add a quart of oil… Ford says it’s normal. I know it’s not.”

These accounts underscore the persistent gap between owner expectations and the manufacturer’s fixes.

In Summary

For Californians driving 2018–2020 Ford F-150s with the 5.0L Coyote engine, the headline is clear: if your truck guzzles oil despite routine maintenance, and repairs didn’t resolve the problem, your vehicle may still qualify for protection under the law, even as the class-action unfolds. It’s worth evaluating whether you should remain in the class, or opt out and pursue your own lemon law claim.