Is Your 2018–2020 F-150 5.0 Coyote Burning Oil? Ford’s Answer
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Is your 2018–2020 F-150 5.0 burning oil?
TSB 19-2365 is Ford’s December 5, 2019 service bulletin for 2018–2020 F-150 trucks with the 5.0L V8. It covers trucks that use more than 1 quart of oil in 3,000 miles with no visible leaks. It is a service bulletin, not a safety recall, and a Ford dealer decides whether it applies to your truck.
- Just noticed the dipstick dropping? Start with Ford’s threshold below.
- Truck under 10,000 miles? Read why Ford treats early consumption differently.
- TSB already done, still using oil? Jump to what to do next.
- Paying out of pocket? The cost section shows the maths.
Which trucks the bulletin covers
The bulletin covers 2018, 2019 and 2020 F-150s with the 5.0L engine. Nothing else is listed.
Which trucks it doesn’t
The 2021-and-later F-150 5.0 and the Mustang GT are outside this bulletin. For other model years, see every documented F-150 problem by model year.
ℹ️ Safety Note: Oil level is critical to engine health, and running a 5.0 V8 below the minimum mark risks internal damage. The information here is for general understanding. Have oil consumption confirmed by a Ford dealer or qualified technician before assuming the cause.
How much oil loss counts as “excessive” to Ford
Ford’s line is specific: more than 1 quart in 3,000 miles, with no visible oil leaks. Below that line, TSB 19-2365 doesn’t apply.
The 1 quart per 3,000 miles line
To measure it, start from a full reading after an oil change, note the mileage, and record every quart you add. Check the level exactly as your owner’s manual describes.
Why the first 10,000 miles don’t count the same
Ford’s bulletin notes that oil usage is normally higher during the first 10,000 miles and generally improves with distance. A truck still inside that window may settle down without any repair.
Rule out leaks first
Ford’s procedure starts with a leak inspection. If a leak is found, this bulletin doesn’t apply and the repair follows a different path. Owner reports on the major F-150 forums since 2019 describe the bulletin pattern consistently: a falling dipstick, no drips, no warning light.
Why the 5.0 pulls oil when you lift off the gas
Ford traced the problem to what happens when you coast.
What deceleration fuel shut-off does
When you lift off the throttle, the PCM cuts fuel to save it. This is called deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO). Ford’s November 2019 bulletin said its PCM strategy deliberately closed the throttle plate during these events, creating high intake manifold vacuum that could pull oil past the piston rings. TSB 19-2365 also names the crankcase, valve guides and PCV system as paths.
🔍 Why It Happens: A closed throttle turns the intake into a pinched straw, so the engine sucks hard on anything that can reach the cylinders. Thin films of oil around the rings and valve guides get drawn in and burned. Less vacuum means less oil pulled in.
Ford’s explanation vs. the class-action allegation
Plaintiffs in a pending class action allege a different cause: defective cylinder coatings and piston ring assemblies. That is an allegation, not a finding. If your truck has the 3.5 EcoBoost instead, Ford traced its 3.5 EcoBoost oil burning to the PCV system and valve covers, which is a separate problem.
What TSB 19-2365 actually does to your truck
TSB 19-2365 tells the dealer to do four things, in this order:
- Inspect for visible oil leaks. If any are found, the bulletin doesn’t apply.
- Replace the dipstick, but only on trucks built on or before October 4, 2019.
- Drain the oil, replace the filter, and refill to the MAX line.
- Reprogram the PCM with the latest calibration, which reduces vacuum during DFSO.
| Applies To | New dipstick | Reflash + oil change | Parts listed | Labour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–2020 F-150 5.0, built on/before Oct 4, 2019 | Yes (JL3Z-6750-E) | Yes | Dipstick, AA5Z-6714-A filter, 5W-20 | 0.9 hr, op 192365A |
| Covered truck built after Oct 4, 2019 | No | Yes | AA5Z-6714-A filter, 5W-20 | 0.9 hr, op 192365A |
Source: Ford TSB 19-2365, December 5, 2019, as filed with NHTSA.
Built on or before Oct 4, 2019? You get the new dipstick
The new dipstick shows a wider 2-quart operating range, which Ford says the engine was validated to run within. It changes what “low” looks like on the stick. It does not change how much oil the engine uses; the reflash is the part aimed at that.
The shift relearn after the reflash
Ford tells dealers to warn owners that the transmission’s adaptive strategy relearns after the reflash. Shifts may feel firmer for several days.
📋 On the Record: Ford’s TSB 19-2365 as filed with NHTSA covers 2018–2020 F-150s with the 5.0L. It supersedes TSB 19-2338, and repairs are eligible under New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage. We found no later bulletin superseding it. Status checked September 21, 2026.
✅ Do This: Ask your dealer: “Does my VIN show labour operation 192365A completed, and is my PCM on the latest calibration?”
Four bulletins in nine months: how Ford’s fix changed
Ford’s remedy changed four times during 2019. That is why two owners of the same truck can describe different fixes.
| Bulletin | Date | Applies To | Remedy direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19-2058 | Mar 1, 2019 | 2018 F-150 5.0 | Long block assembly listed in parts |
| 19-2133 | May 10, 2019 | 2018 F-150 5.0 | Formal consumption test; long block if failed |
| 19-2338 | Nov 12, 2019 | 2018–2019 F-150 5.0 | PCM throttle strategy identified |
| 19-2365 | Dec 5, 2019 | 2018–2020 F-150 5.0 | Reflash, oil change, dipstick |
19-2058 and 19-2133: the 2018-only phase
The first two bulletins covered only 2018 trucks. Ford’s March 2019 bulletin listed a replacement long block assembly, meaning a new engine core.
19-2338 and 19-2365: the calibration fix
In the November 2019 bulletin, Ford said engineering analysis found most engines replaced under warranty hadn’t needed replacement. It pointed to calibration instead. Plaintiffs dispute that the calibration fix is adequate.
Will Ford still cover it in 2026? Warranty, cost and lawsuit status
No. TSB 19-2365 is not a recall, and a bulletin does not extend your warranty. Whether Ford pays depends on the coverage your truck still has.
Why most 2018–2020 trucks are now outside the powertrain term
Ford’s powertrain warranty runs 5 years or 60,000 miles from the warranty start date, which is delivery or first service use. Most 2018–2020 trucks are now past five years. A late-delivered 2020 under 60,000 miles may not be, so have a dealer check your VIN.
What the TSB costs if you pay
💵 What It Costs: Ford allows 0.9 labour hours. Your labour cost is 0.9 × your shop’s posted hourly rate; at an example $150 per hour, that’s $135. Add the 5W-20 oil, the filter, and the dipstick if your truck was built on or before Oct 4, 2019. The bulletin calls for Ford’s scan tool, so expect a dealer rather than an independent shop.
💵 On these numbers: Costs shown are typical ranges, not quotes. Labour rates vary sharply by region and between dealer and independent shops, and parts pricing moves. Use these to judge whether a quote is in the right neighbourhood, not to predict your invoice.
Not a recall: where the class action stands
We found no NHTSA safety recall for 5.0 oil consumption as of September 21, 2026. Check your VIN for open recalls. In Lyman v. Ford (E.D. Michigan), an August 2026 ruling dismissed the warranty claims and some others but let the remaining claims proceed. No settlement had been reported as of September 21, 2026. This is not legal advice.
Still burning oil after the TSB? What to do next
Don’t let the level run low while you sort this out.
Keep a consumption log
Record the date, the mileage and every quart added since a verified full reading. Ford’s own May 2019 procedure used a measured consumption test like this, so a log gives the dealer a starting point.
What to ask the shop
✅ Do This: Have a Ford dealer or qualified technician (1) confirm that operation 192365A was completed and the calibration is current, (2) run a formal oil consumption test against Ford’s 1-quart-per-3,000-mile line, and (3) inspect for leaks and check the PCV system. We found no verifiable engine replacement cost, so get any estimate in writing.
FAQ
1. Is TSB 19-2365 a recall?
No. TSB 19-2365 is a Ford service bulletin for 2018–2020 F-150 5.0 oil consumption; recalls are separate NHTSA safety campaigns.
2. Does TSB 19-2365 apply to the 2020 F-150?
Yes. TSB 19-2365 covers 2018, 2019 and 2020 F-150 trucks with the 5.0L engine and excessive oil consumption.
3. Why did Ford change the dipstick?
Trucks built on or before October 4, 2019 get a dipstick showing a wider, Ford-validated 2-quart normal operating range.
4. Is oil consumption normal on a new 5.0?
Ford says 5.0 oil consumption is normally higher during the first 10,000 miles and generally improves as mileage increases.
5. Does the TSB 19-2365 reflash change shifting?
Ford says the transmission’s adaptive strategy relearns after the PCM reflash, which may cause firmer shifts for several days.
6. Is my 5.0 F-150 still under warranty?
Ford’s powertrain warranty runs 5 years or 60,000 miles from delivery, so most 2018–2020 trucks are now outside it. Confirm by VIN with a Ford dealer.
7. What does TSB 19-2365 cost out of warranty?
Ford allows 0.9 labour hours: multiply by your shop’s rate, then add oil, filter and possibly a dipstick. Get a written quote first.
8. What if my 5.0 still burns oil after the TSB?
Keep a mileage log and request a formal oil consumption test against Ford’s 1-quart-per-3,000-mile threshold. Have a Ford dealer or qualified technician inspect it.
9. Is there a class action over 5.0 oil consumption?
Yes. Lyman v. Ford continues in Michigan federal court after an August 2026 ruling dismissed some claims; no settlement reported yet.
10. Does TSB 19-2365 cover the 2021 F-150 5.0?
No. TSB 19-2365 lists only 2018–2020 F-150 trucks with the 5.0L engine; later trucks aren’t included.
Your next three checks
First, measure your consumption against Ford’s 1-quart-per-3,000-mile line. Second, ask the dealer whether operation 192365A shows on your VIN. Third, confirm your remaining powertrain coverage and check for open recalls before you authorize paid work. Those three answers tell you whether Ford pays, you pay, or nothing is needed.
