5.0 Coyote: years, specs & known problems

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 3, 2026

The 5.0 Coyote is Ford’s naturally aspirated DOHC 32-valve V8, used in the Mustang GT since 2011 and the F-150 since 2011. Output has climbed from 412 hp to 500 hp in the 2024 Dark Horse. The one thing to know: Ford issued a 2018–2020 F-150 bulletin for excessive oil consumption.

Ford introduced the Coyote for the 2011 model year as the replacement for the 4.6L three-valve V8. It is an aluminum, dual-overhead-cam, four-valve-per-cylinder V8 with independent variable timing on both intake and exhaust cams, and it has been revised four times: a 2015 update, a 2018 redesign with larger bore and dual port-plus-direct injection, and a 2024 update for the S650 Mustang with dual throttle bodies.

In the Mustang the Coyote is tuned for high-rpm power; in the F-150 it is tuned for low-end torque and heavier duty. Special versions include the 2012–2013 Boss 302 “Road Runner,” the 2019–2020 Bullitt, the 2021–2023 Mach 1 and the 2024+ Dark Horse.

5.0 Coyote at a glance

Ford 5.0L Coyote DOHC 32-valve V8: model years, fuel and peak Ford-published output by engine
Engine	Model years	Fuel	Peak hp	Peak torque (lb-ft)	Documented problems	Recalls
Gen 1 Coyote (2011–2014)	2011–2014	Gasoline	444	390	0	3
Gen 2 Coyote (2015–2017)	2015–2017	Gasoline	435	400	0	0
Gen 3 Coyote (2018–2023)	2018–2023	Gasoline	480	420	1	1
Gen 4 Coyote (2024+)	2024–present	Gasoline	500	418	0	0

CarWhere lists 1 documented problem and 4 NHTSA recalls for the 5.0 Coyote, each with a source.

Gen 1 Coyote (2011–2014)

The original Coyote: port fuel injection, twin independent variable cam timing and a 7,000 rpm redline in Mustang form. The F-150 version ran lower compression and cast-iron exhaust manifolds.

Gen 1 Coyote (2011–2014) specifications

Gen 1 Coyote (2011–2014): design facts (2011–2014)
Specification	Value
Configuration	90° V8, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder[1]
Displacement	4,951 cc (302 cu in)[3]
Bore × stroke	92.2 × 92.7 mm[3]
Variable cam timing	Twin independent (Ti-VCT), cam-torque actuated[1]
Fuel system	Port fuel injection[3]
Built	Essex Engine Plant, Windsor, Ontario[3]

Gen 1 Coyote (2011–2014) horsepower and torque by year

Gen 1 Coyote (2011–2014): Ford-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model years	Application	Horsepower (hp)	Torque (lb-ft)	Source
2011–2012	Mustang GT	412	390	[1]
2012–2013	Mustang Boss 302	444	380	[2]
2013–2014	Mustang GT	420	390	[3]
2011–2014	F-150	360	380	[3]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which Fords have the Gen 1 Coyote (2011–2014)?

Ford models and model years offered with the Gen 1 Coyote (2011–2014)
Model	Model years	Notes
Mustang GT	2011–2014
Mustang Boss 302	2012–2013	“Road Runner” version with revised heads and intake
F-150	2011–2014

Gen 1 Coyote (2011–2014) recalls

NHTSA safety recalls related to the Gen 1 Coyote (2011–2014) (campaign numbers link to NHTSA)
NHTSA campaign	Reported	Vehicles	Summary
16V-248	2016-04	2011–2012 F-150, 2012 Expedition/Navigator, 2012 Mustang	Automatic transmission could unexpectedly downshift to first gear regardless of vehicle speed.
19V-075	2019-02	2011–2013 F-150 (6-speed automatic)	Transmission could unexpectedly downshift into first gear; remedy was a PCM software update.
19V-433	2019-06	2013 F-150 with 5.0L or 6.2L	Trucks reflashed under 19V-075 received software without the needed update and were reprogrammed again.

Gen 2 Coyote (2015–2017)

Launched with the S550 Mustang, Gen 2 brought revised cylinder heads, valvetrain and cams borrowed in part from the Boss 302 program, lifting the Mustang GT to 435 hp.

Gen 2 Coyote (2015–2017) specifications

Gen 2 Coyote (2015–2017): design facts (2015–2017)
Specification	Value
Configuration	90° V8, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder[3]
Changes vs Gen 1	Revised heads and valvetrain, Boss 302-derived connecting rods, higher-lift cams[3]
Fuel system	Port fuel injection[3]

Gen 2 Coyote (2015–2017) horsepower and torque by year

Gen 2 Coyote (2015–2017): Ford-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model years	Application	Horsepower (hp)	Torque (lb-ft)	Source
2015–2017	Mustang GT	435	400	[4]
2015–2017	F-150	385	387	[5]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which Fords have the Gen 2 Coyote (2015–2017)?

Ford models and model years offered with the Gen 2 Coyote (2015–2017)
Model	Model years	Notes
Mustang GT (S550)	2015–2017
F-150	2015–2017

Gen 3 Coyote (2018–2023)

A substantial redesign: bore grew to 93 mm (about 5.04 L), compression rose to 12.0:1, and Ford added dual fuel injection — high-pressure direct injection plus low-pressure port injection. Mustang redline rose to 7,500 rpm.

Gen 3 Coyote (2018–2023) specifications

Gen 3 Coyote (2018–2023): design facts (2018–2023)
Specification	Value
Displacement	5,035 cc (307 cu in)[3]
Bore	93.0 mm (up from 92.2 mm)[7]
Compression	12.0:1[3]
Fuel system	Dual injection: direct + port fuel injection[4]
Cylinder bores	Plasma-sprayed bore coating replaced cast-iron liners[3]
Redline (Mustang)	7,500 rpm[7]

Gen 3 Coyote (2018–2023) horsepower and torque by year

Gen 3 Coyote (2018–2023): Ford-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model years	Application	Horsepower (hp)	Torque (lb-ft)	Source
2018–2023	Mustang GT	460	420	[4]
2019–2020	Mustang Bullitt	480	420	[3]
2021–2023	Mustang Mach 1	480	420	[3]
2018–2020	F-1502020 rating as stated in Ford’s 2021 comparison	395	400	[6]
2021–2023	F-150	400	410	[6]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which Fords have the Gen 3 Coyote (2018–2023)?

Ford models and model years offered with the Gen 3 Coyote (2018–2023)
Model	Model years	Notes
Mustang GT	2018–2023
Mustang Bullitt	2019–2020
Mustang Mach 1	2021–2023
F-150	2018–2023	Paired with the 10R80 10-speed automatic

Gen 3 Coyote (2018–2023) problems and what to check

Excessive oil consumption (2018–2020 F-150 5.0L) (2018–2020)

Moderate

Ford bulletin 19-2365 covers 2018–2020 F-150 trucks with the 5.0L that use more than one quart of oil in 3,000 miles with no visible leak. Ford attributed it to high intake-manifold vacuum during deceleration fuel shut-off pulling oil past the valve guides, rings and PCV system. The fix is a PCM recalibration, and trucks built on or before Oct. 4, 2019 also get a new dipstick with a wider two-quart operating range.[8]

Symptoms

Oil level drops between changes with no drips or external leaks
Low-oil warning or noticeably low dipstick reading before the scheduled change

Check before buying

Ask whether TSB 19-2365 (or earlier 19-2058/19-2133/19-2338) was performed — service records will show a PCM reflash
Pull the dipstick and compare oil level and color with the date of the last change
Look for blue smoke on deceleration or oil residue in the intake tract

Gen 3 Coyote (2018–2023) recalls

NHTSA safety recalls related to the Gen 3 Coyote (2018–2023) (campaign numbers link to NHTSA)
NHTSA campaign	Reported	Vehicles	Summary
22V-382	2022-05	2019–2020 Mustang with 5.0L and manual transmission	PCM could send a faulted signal that disables the rearview camera, reverse lamps and driver-assist features.

Gen 4 Coyote (2024+)

The fourth-generation Coyote debuted in the S650 Mustang with a dual-intake, dual-throttle-body design. The Dark Horse version adds strengthened internals and is rated at 500 hp.

Gen 4 Coyote (2024+) specifications

Gen 4 Coyote (2024+): design facts (2024–present)
Specification	Value
Induction	Dual air intakes and dual throttle bodies[9]
Dark Horse internals	Forged connecting rods and a rebalanced crankshaft[3]

Gen 4 Coyote (2024+) horsepower and torque by year

Gen 4 Coyote (2024+): Ford-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model years	Application	Horsepower (hp)	Torque (lb-ft)	Source
2024+	Mustang GT	480	415	[9]
2024+	Mustang GT with active exhaust	486	418	[9]
2024+	Mustang Dark Horse	500	418	[9]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which Fords have the Gen 4 Coyote (2024+)?

Ford models and model years offered with the Gen 4 Coyote (2024+)
Model	Model years	Notes
Mustang GT (S650)	2024–present
Mustang Dark Horse	2024–present
F-150	2024–present	F-150 5.0 continues with the 2021-era rating

5.0 Coyote issues by model

The same engine shows up on these Ford known-issues pages, with model-specific details.

Ford F-150: Excessive oil consumption on the 5.0L V8 (2018–2020)

Related Ford research

Confirm a truck or car really has the 5.0 Coyote.

Engine, transmission and axle options are recorded against the VIN. The CarWhere build sheet decodes a Ford VIN into its factory record — powertrain, equipment groups and options as built. $9.99, instant.

Ford build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What years did the 5.0 Coyote have problems?

The best-documented issue is oil consumption on 2018–2020 F-150 trucks with the 5.0L, which Ford addressed in bulletin 19-2365 with a PCM recalibration. Earlier 2011–2013 F-150s were recalled for an unexpected transmission downshift, a software fix rather than an engine fault.

How much horsepower does a 5.0 Coyote have?

It depends on year and vehicle. The Mustang GT went from 412 hp (2011) to 435 hp (2015), 460 hp (2018) and 480 hp (2024), with the Dark Horse at 500 hp. The F-150 version ranges from 360 hp (2011) to 400 hp (2021 on).

What is the difference between Gen 2 and Gen 3 Coyote?

Gen 3 (2018 on) has a larger 93 mm bore, 12.0:1 compression, a higher redline and dual fuel injection that combines direct and port injectors. Gen 2 (2015–2017) used port injection only and a smaller bore.

Is the 5.0 Coyote reliable?

The Coyote has a strong record overall, and its recalls have mostly involved transmission software or related systems rather than the engine itself. On 2018–2020 F-150s, check that Ford’s oil-consumption bulletin was applied.

Does the F-150 5.0 have direct injection?

Yes, since the 2018 model year. The Gen 3 and later F-150 5.0 uses both direct and port fuel injection; 2011–2017 trucks used port injection only.

Sources

Ratings are Ford-published figures as cited; descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs appear only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

Official: 2011 Mustang GT Debuts With 412-hp, 5.0-Liter V8 — AutoGuide
2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Dyno Tested — Edmunds
Ford Coyote engine — Wikipedia (secondary reference)
The 2018 Ford Mustang GT Will Make 460 HP — Ford Authority
Ford releases power ratings for new F-150 engines — Equipment World
2021 Ford F-150 Horsepower and Torque Numbers Revealed — Ford Authority
2018 Ford Mustang GT review: Coyote V8 — Autoblog
TSB 19-2365: 5.0L – Excessive Oil Consumption (2018–2020 F-150) — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA)
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Makes 500 HP, GT Has Up To 486 — Motor1

More Ford tools

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Ford Motor Company. Ford, Power Stroke, EcoBoost, Coyote and the model names are trademarks of their owner.