Ford 5.0 Engine: The Coyote Returns

Danielle S
Mar 4, 2021

5.0 V8 in Ford F-150 - Vehicle History

When you’re looking for a used car or truck with plenty of power, a vehicle equipped with Ford’s popular 5.0 engine may be a good fit. Offering plenty of displacement in a relatively small package, this engine is ready to deliver.

What are the specs of a Ford 5.0 engine?

The Ford 5.0 “Coyote” engine is a naturally aspirated 5.0L modular V8 engine with a 3.63-inch bore and 3.65-inch cylinder stroke. Depending on model and year, its output ranges from 360 to 400.

Read on to learn more about the history of Ford’s 5.0 engine, as well as the models you can find it on.

We’ll also cover some answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the Ford 5.0 engine.

History of the Ford 5.0 Engine

Ford’s 5.0L “Coyote” engine made its debut for the 2011 model year and was initially featured on the Ford Mustang GT. Over time, the 5.0 engine was also outfitted on the Ford F-150.

This engine was designed to replace Ford’s existing 4.6L and 5.4L V8 and strived to compete with other new engines on the market from automakers like Chevrolet and Chrysler.

When the Ford 5.0L engine made its debut, it offered the same power output as many of its competitors but with a smaller displacement, making it an instant success.

Since its 2011 debut, the Ford 5.0 engine has seen some minor changes, including an increase to its bore size and the addition of a high-pressure direct-injection system for the 2018 model year.

Some specifications on the Ford 5.0 engine also vary based on whether the engine is equipped on a Ford Mustang or F-150. On F-150 models, for example, there is a lower compression ratio and different cylinder heads.

Which Models Have a Ford 5.0 Engine?

The Ford 5.0 engine was originally developed for use in the Ford Mustang GT in 2011. Today, this engine is still available on the Ford Mustang GT and has also been extended as an offering on the Ford Mustang BULLITT and Mach 1.

A variation of the Ford 5.0 engine is also available on F-150 models beginning with the 2011 model year. On the F-150, this engine comes standard on FX2/FX4, XLT with four-wheel drive, XL, Lariat, King Ranch®, and Platinum trims.

From 2011 through 2016, a supercharged version of Ford’s 5.0 engine was also offered on the Ford Falcon.

People Also Ask

What is the Horsepower Output of the Ford 5.0 Engine?

Exact horsepower output can vary based on the specific model and year. On most models, output ranges between 360 and 400 horsepower. On 2011 through 2016 Falcon models with the supercharged variant, output increases to 503 horsepower.

Why is the Ford 5.0 Engine Called a Coyote?

It is believed that the “Coyote” name for the Ford 5.0 engine was derived from the first four-valve V8 engine that Ford made for a race car called “The Coyote” in the 1960s.

Reportedly, a Ford engineer suggested the resurrection of the “Coyote” name when the new 5.0L V8 began its development—and the rest is history!

What are the Most Common Problems With the Ford 5.0 Engine?

Some of the most commonly reported problems for the Ford 5.0 engine include oil leakage from the head gasket, ignition coil failure, defective gas recirculation valves, and bad spark plugs.

What Kind of Oil Does the Ford 5.0 Engine Require?

Oil recommendations can vary by model and year, so it’s always best to check the owner’s manual for exact requirements. On most Ford F-150 models with the 5.0L engine, a synthetic 5W20 oil is recommended.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Does the Ford 5.0 Engine Get?

Fuel economy for Ford’s 5.0 engine depend on the model, year, driving conditions, and other factors. The 2018 Mustang with 5.0L engine, for example, gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg combined.

Meanwhile, the 2018 F-150 with 5.0L engine and four-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined when equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Check the Vehicle History Report Before You Buy!

Whether you’re looking at a Ford Mustang or a Ford F-150, a model equipped with Ford’s 5.0 engine delivers the power you need without sacrificing fuel economy in the process. Before you make your next purchase, be sure to check its Vehicle History report; it takes just a few clicks to get all the information you need about any car from reputable sources like the NHTSA  and more.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Dakota T on August 4, 2021
2013 ford mustang gt - Remember, it is about smiles per gallon, not miles per gallon!
My current vehicle is a 2013 ford mustang gt. It is beautiful - inside and out. The mustang is really easy to add aftermarket features to make it 'your own.' the vehicle has ran smoothly for its entire life so far and has around 60,000 miles currently. As long as you regularly change your oils and filters as recommended and perform regular upkeep on brakes and other aspects as necessary, the car will run perfectly. The front seats are extremely comfortable but the back seats are squishy and hard for adult passengers to sit in. The trunk is spacious and the back seats can fold forward to provide additional space. The only downside about this car is it is not well insulated and you hear a lot of outside noise, not just engine noise. Luckily, the sound of the engine makes up for it!
accountCircle Jordan P on August 8, 2021
2011 5.0 Mustang Reliability.
I love my mustang. Always have. However I feel like it is not always reliable. It feels like it's one thing after another with that car. It has 135,000 miles on it despite only being 8 years old. The motor had to be replaced because it was the first year of the new engine in the mustang and there were mistakes in it. Something with the timing belt I believe. The AC system had to be totally redone. There's a few smaller things. It feels like to me it's just a matter of time before the next big and expensive repair needs to be done on it. I do love it though. It's fun to drive, it accelerates quick. The seats are comfortable including the back seats. I also don't like the gas mileage, but that's what you get when you have a muscle car.
accountCircle Dusyy N on June 26, 2021
Overall the 2011 Mustang is great. It handles great with plenty of power and great mpg.
Performance is great, interior is comfortable and convenient. No issues at all with it. I race my car at the local drag strip. Plenty of modifications available for the car. It's handled everything I have thrown at it. A blast to drive especially with the 5.0 coyote. One of my favorite toys to cruise around. Mine is black in color wish I would have gotten the gray metallic color being the black is hard to keep clean. But when it is clean it looks amazing and I get so many looks. The roush axle backs and long tube headers really turn some heads it sounds great. For as much power as the car makes I can still get relatively great fuel economy if I can keep my foot out of the gas I manage to get 28-29 mpg.
accountCircle Laurie L on June 8, 2021
2013 Ford Mustang GT Premium
I love my mustang! It's a v8, manual transmission which makes it fun to drive. I've had no issues with the vehicle. I keep it in storage for the winter months...it's never seen snow, salt or sand. The ride is quite enjoyable and I prefer to take long trips with it. The bells and whistles are all factory installed. Even after purchase I was finding surprises, like the pony lights that display on the ground (from the side mirrors) so you can see where you are walking when it's dark. The drivers side visor he programmable buttons that can control my garage door openers and the house alarm. Money well spend on a vehicle I wanted for a long time. No regrets.
accountCircle Sierra B on August 11, 2021
The new 2013 5.0 mustang is where its at.
I have not had any problems with my 2013 v 8 ford mustang. I love the power that the car has. It's the same five-0 like the one from back in the day. It is perfect. The seats are extremely comfortable. It's very modern in my opinion. The seats even heat up! Something I have never had but I love. One thing I do not like about it, is that its small. If you have a family, it really does not work. There is hardly any room in the back seats especially if tall people are in the main seats.
accountCircle Chris B on July 7, 2021
Looks, performance and functionality, this 2012 Mustang GT has it all!
The 5.0 motor puts out a ton of power and the body style of the car is sleek and powerful. Fuel mileage is great for a v8 typically hovering around 18-24 mpg depending on how often I light up the tires. Interior styling is functional with the Microsoft sync function that allows you to make phone calls, play music from your phone and do most anything you'd want with the radio with a push of a button on the steering wheel. If you are looking for a fast, reliable car.
accountCircle Natalie F on August 5, 2021
2012 Mustang 5.0 - American made muscle car with lots power and speed, who could want more.
I absolutely love my mustang gt 5.0. I get great gas mileage, drives awesome, top performance, and it is never gave me any problems to need to fix. Sound system shaker system it out of this world along with navigation system that keeps everything at my fingertips. Looks great driving, handles even better. I would tell everyone to buy a mustang. It's a piece of American history an American made muscle car.
accountCircle Andrew on June 8, 2023
The Coyote Is Great
This Is about my 2012 F150, with a Coyote that I've had for years, not about a Mustang, but it is fast! I've had it for years, but it still blows the doors off Chevy counter parts, and when I'm on back roads, it averages 22 MPG at 65 MPH. Couldn't ask for more. As for problems, they have been few and far between. I did have to replace a couple of coils - that's it.
accountCircle Mario G on September 20, 2021
2012 Mustang GT, the good and the bad!
It runs great and the gas mileage is not bad considering it is a sports car. I modified it about 5 years ago and I had to switch to premium gas for it. I modified the cold air intake, axle back, and chipped it as well. I just recently is having A/C problems, my A/C Compressor and clutch went out and now I have to come up with $350 plus labor.
accountCircle Melina S on October 4, 2021
2012 Mustang gt - worth your money!
The mustang gt is like no other vehicle. The performance is one and only and the comfort is one that cannot be found with any other muscle car in the market. You really get your money's worth when you compare the price for product. You will not find another vehicle of that caliber in that price range and that is what makes mustangs superior.
accountCircle Dawson S on July 20, 2021
2013 Mustang GT will not roll back if you are on a hill for the first 10 or so seconds.
I do not have a single bad thing to say about my mustang other than the gas mileage but that is to be expected w a performance focused v8. I am 6’5 and have plenty of room in the driver's seat the interior is beautiful and very comfortable and it turns heads like crazy. Overall I think it is a wonderful vehicle and I use it as a daily.
accountCircle Katie C on May 10, 2021
2012 Ford mustang gt 5.0
The 2012 Ford mustang is a reliable vehicle that gets good gas mileage both in the city and on the highway. We have a manual transmission, and have owned the vehicle for 2+ years now without any issues. The 2012 mustang is great throughout the spring, summer, and fall, but is not well equipped to handle winter weather conditions.
accountCircle Charles G on July 5, 2021
My 2013 mustang is red in color that has the big v8 engine packing a serious punch.
The 2013 mustang gt is a thrilling muscle car that reminds me of the muscle cars of the past. It makes me feel as if I am a kid riding in my dad's muscle car when I was younger. The sound is my favorite aspect of my car. I cannot get enough of how well ford has produced this vehicle's engine. It's exhilarating to say the least.
accountCircle Chance M on June 22, 2021
2014 ford mustang gt review.
Performance is great! You can really feel that the car enjoys and wants to be driven hard. It is very comfortable and even lowered it rides smooth. The cruise control works great. Gas mileage for the car is good for the weight and size of the motor. Overall a great car and will be buying another later in the future.
accountCircle Lynda L on May 1, 2021
2011 Mustang 5. 0 —nothing else will do!
I love this car. It has the 5. 0 coyote motor in it and it really moves! I have the 6 speed manual transmission and it really gives you the sports car experience. Leather seats and awesome stereo system. Has USB ports which are helpful in charging the phone. Also has sync which keeps phone calls hands free.
accountCircle John C on September 12, 2021
Mustang GT for a single guy.
I love my v8 engine. The power helps me get onto the highway at the speed of traffic. I also like the GPS and electronics package. I also like the leather interior. The power of the v8 does use a lot of gas, however. It has heated seats, but I wish it had air conditioned seats for those hot summers.
accountCircle Alex A on July 13, 2021
2013 ford gt mustang review.
I bought the car back in 2015 and have had very few problem using it as my daily driver. It has almost 90k miles on it and I have had very small repairs made to it. Not much problems at all and can say it is reliable. It is also very fast and fun to drive in. Would recommend a 2013 mustang anytime.
accountCircle A D on August 18, 2021
Love the 2011 California special comes with a different front air dam and fog lights.
I ordered my car in 2010.. 2011 mustang gt/cs California special with the panoramic roof. The cs package came with special badging and brakes. The audio system was a shaker 1000 with the subwoofers mounted in a box in the trunk. The factory ride is great and handles well on the track.
accountCircle Raymond H on June 29, 2021
2011 Mustang - Fun car to drive! Head-turner! You will love this car.
Excellent performance, reliability and comfort. Literally no car breakdowns in the 8 years that I have owned it. Rides well. Was rated 8.8/10 by us news and world report. Gas mileage is great also. Mpg: up to 19 city / 31 highway 5.0 l v8. I am extremely happy with the car.
accountCircle Alex E on September 13, 2021
2012 Ford mustang gt is reliable.
Leather interior has held up nicely over the years, and overall performance is solid. Only interior problems are minor domestic issues, such as passenger door paneling peeling off. Body and paint have held up very well, not having any problems after about 5 years.
accountCircle Tim A on March 27, 2021
2014 Ford mustang gt base model - fantastic value.
Great performance, plenty of power, fairly low maintenance, good comfort however can be tight for people over six feet, good looking, great handling but good tires expensive. Only real issue is that my manual transmission slips into reverse far too easily.
accountCircle Ashlee W on August 3, 2021
The sports car 2011 mustang fanatic.
I have always been a lover for sports cars! My convertible 2011 mustang gt was a used car, has a few wear and tear here and there, the amount of money I spend on gas is fair, but also depends on how far you're going, nonetheless overall runs really good!
accountCircle Delayna P on September 8, 2021
It is a 2013 mustang gt 5.0 with a very good performance and very low maintenance.
I really love this car because it goes fast and it is a gt 5.0 and very good performance. Not to much on maintenance. It has a very good stereo system and it tells you when you need a oil change or a low tire. It is just very good car overall to drive.
accountCircle Lynda K on June 12, 2021
2011 Mustang GT can fly.
I have a 2011 v8 gt mustang coupe 2dr. I love the way my vehicle hugs the road and handle the curves. I love the speed I can get up to in it without pushing hard at all on the gas pedal. I love the factory radio and the little space for passengers.
accountCircle Lisa W on June 14, 2021
2011 Mustang GT is fast as looks and sounds cool. It has a V8 engine and gets 24 - 26 mpg
Love it! It has style, speed and comfort! Not designed to carry a lot, but what you do carry you look cool doing it.
accountCircle Jen P on June 17, 2021
2013 Mustang GT candy red metallic
6 speed manual transmission. Fun to drive, no problems, only issue ever was a recall on an airbag. Love it!
avatar Danielle S
Danielle S. is a writer with more than 10 years of experience covering the automotive industry. She lives in Indiana ("The Crossroads of America") but enjoys road-tripping around the country whenever she gets the chance.
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