The Lemon Index
Ford's 5.2 L naturally aspirated V8, DOHC in the Shelby GT350, model years 2016–2020. YouTube likes the 2016 best.
Middle of the pack: YouTube owner tone 49/100, #81 of 165 engines with a YouTube study (in the middle third); no engine-related recall on record, 6 known issues listed below.
Everyday cars with this engine Tap a year for that car's full report.
Model years from EPA version lists. Only years we have a car page for.
Reliability by year
Not enough complaints to chart. Owners filed 10 complaints with the government that we can tie to this engine's cars, 2016–2020, 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 GT350 page counts 1,111 complaints and 20 recall campaigns for 2016–2020, everything NHTSA files as "Mustang", other engines included. This page counts only the 10 complaints and 0 recalls we can tie to the Ford 5.2 Voodoo by model name or the owner's own words.
YouTube videos are most positive about the 2016 (51) and least about the 2018 (48); 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Shelby GT350 | 5 | 51 (118 videos) | 0 |
| 2017 | Shelby GT350 | 2 | 50 (122 videos) | 0 |
| 2018 | Shelby GT350 | 0 | 48 (117 videos) | 0 |
| 2019 | Shelby GT350 | 3 | 50 (120 videos) | 0 |
| 2020 | Shelby GT350 | 0 | 48 (121 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 6 repair notes about the engine on these cars, including:
- Certain 2020 Model Year Mustang GT500/GT350 Equipped with a 5.2L Engine Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner In…
- Some 2018 Mustang GT350 vehicles may exhibit what appears to be an oil leak originating from the engine oil…
- Some 2016-2017 mustang gt350 equipped with the 5.2l engine may exhibit a rattle or rapping type sound during…
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
- Oil use and engine failures (Owner-reported). Owners describe heavy oil use (one reports over 1 quart per 1,000 miles) and sudden engine failures in NHTSA complaints, including a 2019 engine that locked up at 450 miles. We found no Ford recall or bulletin for it. 43 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (S550 GT350).
- Oil leaks at the filter and cooler (Maker bulletin). Ford bulletins cover leaks from damaged oil cooler tube O-rings (2015–2018) and from the oil pressure sensor near the filter (2017 cars built Jan–Sep 2017). Ford also sent 2015–2017 owners a free oil filter wrench, and some owners report filters coming loose. Fix: Replace the cooler tube O-rings (SSM 47364) or follow TSB 18-2159. 13 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (S550 GT350).
- Cold-start rattle (Maker bulletin). On 2016–2017 cars a rattle at light throttle when cold comes from piston motion in the bore. Ford says it fades when warm and is not a durability concern. 8 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (S550 GT350).
- Hesitation or surge (Maker bulletin). Ford bulletins describe hesitation or surging with no fault codes on 2015–2020 GT350 and GT350R, sometimes with cruise control not working. Fix: Ford TSB 22-2140, the latest version, gives the service procedure. 17 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (S550 GT350).
- Timing chain tensioner (2020) (Maker bulletin). On some 2020 GT350 and GT500 5.2L engines the secondary timing chain tensioner may not have been activated at assembly. That can cause timing loss, misfires and engine damage. Fix: Dealers inspect the tensioner free under Ford program 21B26. 1 owner complaint to NHTSA mention it (S550 GT350).
- Limp mode from overheating (2016, disputed) (Lawsuit). A class action said 2016 Base and Technology cars, sold without transmission and differential coolers, overheat and go into limp mode. A Florida jury found for Ford in March 2024, and the two sides then agreed to settle. Fix: The coolers are standard on every GT350 from 2017. 40 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (S550 GT350).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints, 2016 Ford Mustang (GT350 reports incl. ODI 11191811, 11191798), NHTSA owner complaints, 2019 Ford Mustang (GT350 reports incl. ODI 11253760, 11624679), Ford SSM 47364: 2015–2018 GT350 oil leak at oil filter adapter / cooler O-rings (CarComplaints summary), Ford TSB 18-2159: 2017 GT350 oil leak in the oil filter area, oil pressure sensor (CarComplaints summary), Ford program 17B04: 2015–2017 Shelby GT350/GT350R complimentary oil filter wrench (CarComplaints summary), Ford SSM 46173: 2016–2017 GT350 5.2L rattle during cold operation (CarComplaints summary), Ford TSB 22-2140: 2015–2020 GT350/GT350R hesitation or surge, no DTCs (CarComplaints summary), Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21B26: 2020 GT350/GT500 5.2L secondary timing chain tensioner (filed with NHTSA), CarComplaints, Mar 22 2017: Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 lawsuit says cars overheat, CarComplaints, Jul 23 2021: class action certified for GT350 owners in nine states, CarComplaints, May 5 2024: Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 lawsuit settlement reached, Top Gear, Apr 7 2016: 2017 Mustang GT350 gets the Track Pack as standard. The same list as on the GT350 page.
Every US version with this engine
| Car and versions | Years |
|---|---|
| Ford Shelby GT350 Shelby GT350 Mustang · Ford Mustang, every year | 2016–20 |
Engine code: Voodoo 5.2. Hand-built on the Niche Line at Ford's Romeo Engine Plant. Power: 526 hp, factory figures. Versions and years: EPA (fueleconomy.gov). Sources: Ford Modular engine.
Quick answers
What cars have the Ford 5.2 Voodoo engine?
In the US: the Ford Shelby GT350, model years 2016–2020. See the version table for each one.
Is the Ford 5.2 Voodoo reliable?
Mostly, with known issues to check. YouTube owner tone 49/100, #81 of 165 engines with a YouTube study (in the middle third); no engine-related recall on record, 6 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 5.2 Voodoo make?
526 hp in factory figures, depending on the car.