Ford Confirms 2027 F-150 V8 Keeps Cylinder Deactivation

Ford has clarified that the 2027 F-150’s 5.0-liter V8 keeps cylinder deactivation. Our earlier report said the feature was going away. That was incorrect, and we have corrected the original story and added an editor’s note.

Following a phone conversation, Daniel Peake, Ford Blue utilities communications manager, provided written confirmation on Tuesday. Automatic start-stop is being eliminated on 5.0-liter trucks, while cylinder deactivation remains. Ford also detailed changes to the V8’s fuel system and sensors.

Ford confirms cylinder deactivation stays

“Cylinder deactivation aka Variable Displacement Engine (VDE) technology remains for 2027,” Peake said in his email.

That answers the question raised by our previous coverage. Ford’s clarification confirms the feature continues on the 2027 5.0-liter Coyote V8. Shoppers should not base an order on our earlier statement that cylinder deactivation was being removed.

We previously reported on cylinder deactivation arriving with the 2021 F-150’s V8. This new clarification confirms its continued use for 2027, despite relaxed fuel economy regulations.

Automatic start-stop goes away on the 5.0-liter

“Auto Start-Stop has been eliminated from 2027 model-year trucks equipped with the 5.0L engine,” Peake said.

The two features do different jobs. Automatic start-stop can shut the engine off when the truck comes to a stop, then restart it. Cylinder deactivation reduces the number of cylinders receiving fuel for combustion under certain operating conditions while the engine continues running.

For buyers who want the V8 without automatic start-stop, that is welcome news.

The Coyote gets fuel-system and sensor updates

“The 2027 5.0L Coyote engine receives minor emissions-related updates, including a new 350-bar direct-injection fuel system and revised engine sensors,” Peake said.

Those are the additional changes Ford identified in its clarification. The email did not quantify a fuel-economy improvement or make a long-term reliability claim. It also did not say that the new fuel system or sensors eliminate VDE.

What we corrected in our earlier story

Our Oct. 1 story incorrectly stated in its headline and text that the 5.0-liter V8 would lose cylinder deactivation for 2027. The corrected headline now focuses on the removal of the start-stop technology, and a dated editor’s note explains the change.

We asked Ford for clarification after questions arose about whether the supposed removal involved software or mechanical changes. Ford’s answer establishes that VDE remains, so the removal premise was wrong.

The takeaway is simple: the 2027 F-150 5.0-liter V8 keeps cylinder deactivation, loses automatic start-stop, and receives the fuel-system and sensor updates Ford described. We regret the error in our earlier coverage.