There is no "characteristic" VVT (VCT) rattle on startup from a 6.2; if a camshaft phaser has failed, which is rare, it needs to be replaced. VCT rattle on start has never been classified as a characteristic. If you hammer the throttle from a stop, especially with a trailer or payload, it's possible for the pinion to deflect enough to result in a driveline vibration. That is not uncommon for any vehicle with rear leaf springs.
There is a TSB for the sunroof noise, which is extremely simple and involves applying krytox grease to the seal. As far as the transmission, a TSB was released for 2017 models within a certain build date range that updates the software to resolve shifting concerns.
Ford Tech,
Your contributions are very highly valued and as I've said in other threads I only wish you or your twin worked in Central Florida. Maybe I'd feel differently if someone as diligent as you was in charge of our vehicles.
We've owned the 2012 Harley F150 6.2 since new ($50K sticker back then) and although intermittent it still does it regularly since about 20,000 miles. Oil is motorcraft and filter is FL820S so that's not it. We've tried every viscosity the brand has to no avail and now we just use the 5/20 all of the time. We live in Florida so cold isn't the problem as it never gets below 37 degrees here. The truck spent WEEKS at the dealer and they said the intermittent noise was acceptable and it was "characteristic" of the vehicle. Their words not mine. At least 50 potential customers have heard the noise when the truck starts. Some even ask if it's ok and we tell them Ford says it's normal.
The 2012 Super Crew rear springs were a problem from day one. Even under light accel from a light the thing would shudder. Took my 80 year old neighbor and his wife to dinner once so I was driving as calm as possible and she asked if the truck was ok because it was shaking. I was driving like an old lady and it still did it. Again, WEEKS at the dealer for new springs, new u-joints, new drive shaft and they even tried a Raptor trans mount because it was supposedly stiffer to no avail. It shuddered 100% of the time, trailer or not. Like you, I knew it was axle wrap even under the lightest load and acceleration conditions. To prove the point with the Ford engineer that was looking at the truck I demonstrated the condition then clamped the bottom part of the springs with C-Clamps and the problem stopped instantly. They admitted they did not have a fix for that condition. I solved the problem on my own with a set of Stiffler traction bars years ago. Never shuddered again.
Also need to add that the 2012 has already had rust perforation up by the CHMSL. Apparently water can collect behind it if it was not assembled properly. We've owned the truck since new and it's never needed to be taken apart yet Ford blamed that on us.
The 2012 at literally 101 miles out of warranty had the fuel pump fuse melt and caused a no-start. The problem is so common that they have a Kit to relocate the fuse in the box.
The 2017 Raptor spent 3 weeks at the dealer in November-December for the creaking sunroof (right rear) to no avail. The Lube TSB you mention has been done multiple times and the track was replaced. Same Creak was in the truck when I picked it up. I never left the parking lot and had the service manager come out and sit in the right rear seat. We moved 5 feet forward and back and he heard it repeatedly clear as a bell. Two weeks later they said they don't know what to do and said they would need to disassemble the interior to try and find it. With zero confidence we decided that we did not want them taking our truck apart as we're afraid it would come back with more squeaks and rattles. I'll figure that one out myself someday when I have time.
The 2017 Raptor did have the TSB performed back in November of 2020 after the harsh shifting developed out of nowhere at 52K miles. It's now doing it again less than 1000 miles later. Wait list for the "Trans Guy" at my dealer is a month so we get to spend another month with this $75K truck slam shifting itself. Who knows how long it will be tied up at the dealer again this time.
My wife finally agrees that these will be our last Fords.
FWIW, I don't drive these trucks as I prefer driving my cars and I drive them like they are stolen regularly. One is a 2014 Camaro 2SS LS3/Manual with 50K on it. Only time it was ever in for repair was for a headlight replacement because an LED in the halo stopped working. The other is a 2013 CTS-V wagon with 57K and the only thing it has ever gotten was the supercharger pulley replaced because it rattled. Both cars were each in and out of the dealer on the same day.
If anything should be spending time at the dealer it's my cars that I flog regularly not the "Ford Tough" trucks driven daily by my wife and daughter. It's a running joke in our house that I beat on the cars and they just come back for more.
I'll pass on discussing the Expedition that was bought back under Lemon Law for water leaks or the Mustang that couldn't keep 3rd gear in one piece and they bought that one back too.
