The Ford 6.7L Diesel Engine is the first true PowerStroke engine, as previous engines that Ford used were actually built by Navistar. The 6.7L Diesel is made in-house by Ford, and it’s proved to be one of the best diesels in the industry.
Like all engines, however, not even this engineering beauty is perfect. Ford 6.7L Diesel Engines have been prone to certain issues over its different generations.
First Generation: 2011 – 2014 Ford 6.7L Diesel Engine
The First Generation Ford 6.7L Diesel PowerStroke is generally considered the least reliable of the engine’s three versions, which isn’t too surprising considering that this was the first time Ford built the engine in-house. In particular, the lower main bearing, crankshaft damper, fan clutch, turbo and EGR cooler can all prove to be less reliable on this initial model.
The first generation does deliver solid horsepower and torque, and it’s not all bad. If you find an older Ford truck that’s still in decent condition, this generation can provide real value. Just make sure you reserve some of your budget in case there are unexpected repairs.
Second Generation: 2015 – 2019 Ford 6.7L Diesel Engine
The Second Generation Ford 6.7L Diesel PowerStroke had multiple upgrades, including improvements to all of the aforementioned issues with the first generation. On the 2015 to 2019 engines, the:
- Lower main bearing has an IROX coating
- Crankshaft damper was made heavier
- Fan clutch has been updated
- Turbocharger has been updated
- EGR cooler flow has been improved
There are still some other upgrades that were made to the engine, and they all together make the engine substantially more reliable. Many of the changes also help boost horsepower and torque output. For a value-oriented combination of price, performance and reliability, the second generation hits the sweet spot that many drivers look for.
Third Generation: 2020 – Present Ford 6.7L PowerStroke Diesel
The Third Generation Ford 6.7L Diesel PowerStroke is the one that’s used in new trucks today. The engine produced best-in-class horsepower and torque at the time of its initial release, and it remains one of the strongest engines used in pickups.
Long-term reliability is too difficult to predict with an engine this new, but so far the third generation is providing to be well-built. Given the engine’s pedigree and each generation’s improvements, we expect this to serve drivers well for many years. It’s a good option if you want the latest technology and features on a truck.