6.4 Powerstroke Years To Avoid? Hint: 2008! (+ best one)

Over the years, Ford has built a solid reputation as one of the leading brands in the automotive industry. That said, they have had their list of failures. An example of that is some of the models of 6.4 Powerstroke. If you have to buy this engine, there is one piece of information you definitely need to know. 

6.4 Powerstroke Years To Avoid include.

• The 2008 rendition has the worst performance (Worst Ever)
• 2009 version was error-prone and
• The 2010 variant was too expensive

Unfortunately, the 6.4 Powerstroke deserves most of the criticism that it receives. The engine commonly faced some major issues which I will go over later in this article. 

which 6.4 Powerstroke Years To Avoid in 2023 And Why

While 2008 does seem to be the year that gets the most hate, all the years have problems that almost tanked the reputation of the much-loved F series. The 6.7 Powerstroke had to do a fair bit of damage control. This chart displays the downfall each year of the 6.4 Powerstroke. 

Even though this table tells you the answer to the question you are looking for in short, it may not be enough. There are a lot more details that I can’t stuff into a table. 

If you want a thorough rundown of the issues of each year and common problems with all the models, you won’t regret sticking around.

Why You Should Avoid 6.4 Powerstroke 2008?

The 6.4 Powerstroke of 2008 had the worst performance by far. Aside from that, it is almost unanimously agreed among Ford Enthusiasts that this was the weakest year for the engine. Ford clearly didn’t get it right on their first try.

Simply put, this engine was not up to the mark. Acceleration issues and overall built issues plagued the model to the point where beloved models such as F250 started losing popularity that year. People had to send their vehicles to the shop quite often. 

Al that said, this ‘beta-testing’ phase should have been looked at carefully and the problems should have been addressed in future models but this never happened. Only the performance-related kinks were ironed out, the rest still stuck around. 

Why You Should Avoid 6.4 Powerstroke 2009?

While this engine solved the performance problems, namely acceleration, it worsened the frequency of trips to the mechanic. Anyone who owns a 2009 6.4 Powerstroke has taken their car to the auto shop at least once. 

The engine did an excellent job when it was functioning properly. The only problem is that it didn’t function properly for too long. Several issues such as broken parts and overheating meant that the users needed to keep the mechanic on speed dial. 

If you want to buy this model, you will get bursts of happiness but the rest of the time is a dismal wait at the auto mechanic shop. Whether the initial happiness is worth it is entirely up to you. 

Why You Should Avoid 6.4 Powerstroke 2010? 

Speaking of worth it, in 2010, the 6.4 Powerstroke reached its pinnacle, the only problem is it was not worth the price tag. It’s obvious, newer models will cost more, the only problem is it was competing with some excellent options. 

The GMC Sierra, for example, had a particularly good year. 6.4 Powerstroke simply doesn’t offer the same benefits at the price that GMC or Chevrolet was able to provide. 

It really isn’t this engine’s fault that it had such fabulous competitors. That said, it was still operating at too high a price for the market at the time. 

4 Common Problems With All Years The 6.4 Powerstroke 

Why did the 6.4 Powerstroke bombs anyway? Even the best model, 2010, couldn’t compete with the heavyweight. The reason for that is the host of problems every car with this engine faced. These 4 issues were prominent. 

1. Weak Built 

I don’t want to call this engine a shoddy one but when a premium engine has a lifespan of only around 200000 miles, it’s hard to keep that title off. Keep in mind, this is considering you don’t do much maintenance but that doesn’t excuse the shamefully low number. 

The durability of this engine was hindered by its fragile parts. Particularly, the pistons snapped like twigs. Along with that, it wasn’t uncommon for the DPF, a diesel particulate filter, also wasn’t sturdy. This meant that soot found its way to your engine. 

2. Low Fuel Economy 

If you are someone who doesn’t fill gas in the tank often, this engine is simply not for you. The mileage on this model is a huge disappointment. Prepare to make several stops at the gas station if you buy a car that has this engine.

I suspect the reason for this is poor performance. The acceleration is slow so it takes a while to reach an efficient speed. Whatever the reason, this will drive a hole into your pocket.  

3. Overheating

Ask any car enthusiast and they’ll tell you just how important it is to keep your car at a controlled optimal temperature. That is one of the reasons this engine gets bashed so much, it is nearly impossible to keep it cool. 

The EGR Coolers and oil coolers constantly have issues or get clogged. This causes the internal temperature to rise uncontrollably. You need to keep an eye on this if you want your engine to last.

4. Leaks 

This engine tends to leak a lot of oil and other fluids. Believe it or not, you can expect leaks from all these components of the engine: 

• Radiator
• Up-pipe
• Front cover
• Exhaust pipes 
• DPF system

Everything that has gone WRONG with my 6.4 Powerstroke in 2 years and 30,000+ miles >> Check out this video below:

6.4 Powerstroke Years To Avoid (FAQs) 

Conclusion

To recap, 6.4 Powerstroke Years To Avoid include.

• The 2008 rendition has the worst performance (Worst Ever)
• 2009 version was error-prone and
• The 2010 variant was too expensive

Related Articles:

• How Much Does It Cost To Replace 6.4 Powerstroke Engine?
• 6.4 Powerstroke EBP Sensor Symptoms – (With 4 Easy Fixes!)

Iyul Nasruddin

Nasruddin is a passionate car enthusiast with a love for troubleshooting and diagnosing all sorts of vehicle problems. With years of experience in OBD diagnostics, Nasruddin, has become an expert in identifying and solving complex automotive issues.