The Lemon Index
Ford's 5.4 L and 5.8 L supercharged V8, DOHC in the F-150 SVT Lightning, GT (2005-06) and Mustang, model years 2000–2014. YouTube likes the 2014 best.
A safer bet: YouTube owner tone 55/100, #31 of 165 engines with a YouTube study (in the top third); no engine-related recall on record, 3 known issues listed below.
Everyday cars with this engine Tap a year for that car's full report.
- Ford Mustang Ford Shelby GT50020072008200920102011201220132014
- Ford F-Series Ford F-150 SVT Lightning2000
Model years from EPA version lists. Only years we have a car page for.
Reliability by year
Not enough complaints to chart. Owners filed 18 complaints with the government that we can tie to this engine's cars, 2000–2014, about any part of the car. Performance versions are mostly filed under their base model (a Shelby GT500 is filed as a Mustang), so we only count complaints whose model name or the owner's own words tie them to this engine, and lead with YouTube, recalls and the automaker's repair notes.
Why the car page shows more: the GT500 page counts 2,978 complaints and 13 recall campaigns for 2007–2014, everything NHTSA files as "Mustang", other engines included. This page counts only the 18 complaints and 0 recalls we can tie to the Ford Modular 5.4 / 5.8 supercharged by model name or the owner's own words.
YouTube videos are most positive about the 2014 (60) and least about the 2000 (44); neighboring years share many of the same videos, so small gaps mean little.
How we count: owner complaints only where the car's name and year leave no doubt; YouTube tone from videos that name this engine or its cars. How we count
Owner complaints (NHTSA) are filed by model and year, not engine. We count one for this engine only when the model name and year had no other engine (e.g. "488 GTB", "GT-R"), or when the owner's own words name a version that had only this engine that year (Z06, ZR1, Hellcat, GT500 ...). They cover the whole car (wheels, air bags, electrics ...), not only the engine, and none of them is a failure rate. We chart them only for engines with 30 or more, over 3 or more years. YouTube tone = how positive the videos are, 0–100, from titles and transcripts (praise vs trouble words, the title counts 3 times), weighted by views; a year needs at least 3 videos' worth. A video counts for this engine when its title names the engine or a car that only had this engine in the years it names; a video whose title names no model year counts toward every year of that car, so neighboring years share most of their videos.
All the numbers, year by year
| Year | Cars | Owner complaints | YouTube says | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | F-150 SVT Lightning | 0 | 44 (17 videos) | 0 |
| 2005 | GT (2005-06) | 0 | 59 (18 videos) | 0 |
| 2007 | Mustang | 4 | 59 (14 videos) | 0 |
| 2008 | Mustang | 2 | 57 (14 videos) | 0 |
| 2009 | Mustang | 2 | not enough videos yet | 0 |
| 2010 | Mustang | 2 | not enough videos yet | 0 |
| 2011 | Mustang | 7 | not enough videos yet | 0 |
| 2012 | Mustang | 0 | 55 (9 videos) | 0 |
| 2013 | Mustang | 1 | 49 (13 videos) | 0 |
| 2014 | Mustang | 0 | 60 (15 videos) | 0 |
Recalls on cars with this engine
No NHTSA recalls we can tie to this engine's cars.
Engine problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 1 repair note about the engine on these cars, including:
- Factory installed spark plugs meets gap specification; if changing or installing new spark plugs, or use…
NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins), matched by model name and year like the complaints, engine-related ones only. A repair note is not a recall: ask a seller whether it was done.
Known issues on record
- No known engine pattern (Outlet). CarGurus' buying guide lists no common engine or supercharger failure on these cars. It points to the clutch, gearbox and wheel hop instead.
- Clutch drag (2007–2009) (Maker bulletin). Heat from stop-and-go driving can warp the flywheel so the twin-disc clutch does not fully release. Shifts get hard and the car can creep in gear. Fix: Ford TSB 10-3-8 gives the diagnosis and clutch and flywheel repair. 14 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (S197 GT500).
- Clutch and gearbox wear (2010–2012) (Outlet). CarGurus says the original clutch and transmission parts wore out early on 2010–2014 cars and can cause hard shifts. 20 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (S197 GT500).
- Clutch and gearbox wear (Outlet). CarGurus says the original clutch and transmission parts wore out early on 2010–2014 cars and can cause hard shifts.
Sources: CarGurus: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 buying guide (Jan 2025), Ford TSB 10-3-8: 2007–2009 Shelby GT500 clutch drag (via Phoenix Friction). The same list as on the GT500 page.
Every US version with this engine
| Car and versions | Years |
|---|---|
| Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Lightning Pickup 2WD · Ford F-Series, every year | 2000 |
| Ford GT (2005-06) GT | 2005 |
| Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang · Ford Mustang, every year | 2007–14 |
Engine codes: 5.4 supercharged, 5.8 supercharged ("Trinity"). Hand-built at Ford's Romeo, Michigan plant. Power: 380–662 hp, factory figures. Versions and years: EPA (fueleconomy.gov). Sources: Ford Modular engine.
Quick answers
What cars have the Ford Modular 5.4 / 5.8 supercharged engine?
In the US: the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning, Ford GT (2005-06), Ford Mustang, model years 2000–2014. See the version table for each one.
Is the Ford Modular 5.4 / 5.8 supercharged reliable?
Mostly yes. YouTube owner tone 55/100, #31 of 165 engines with a YouTube study (in the top third); no engine-related recall on record, 3 known issues listed below. Not enough owner complaints to judge it per car: the government files most performance versions under their base model. Have any used car inspected.
How much horsepower does the Ford Modular 5.4 / 5.8 supercharged make?
380–662 hp in factory figures, depending on the car.