Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford LTD or the Ford LTD?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Ford LTD is cheaper to maintain — about $6,807 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 428ci V8 and the 5.0L V8?

Across 31 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Ford LTD or Ford LTD?

The Ford LTD has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Ford LTD has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1971 Ford LTD vs 1989 Ford LTD — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

1971

1989

Engine

428ci V8

5.0L V8

Drivetrain

RWD

Transmission

automatic

Fuel

gas

Cost of Ownership

5-Year Maintenance

$13,709

0.23 $/mi

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$6,902

0.12 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEFord LTD — Saves you $6,807 over 5 years (50% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

Body-to-Frame Rust and Shock Tower Rot

— hrs$3,575 / 5yr

— hrs

Oil & filter change

0.5 hrs$1,380 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$1,020 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.4 hrs$580 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.4 hrs$560 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr

Differential fluid

1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr

C6 Transmission Front Pump Seal and Modulator

— hrs$845 / 5yr

— hrs

Brake fluid flush

1.0 hrs$330 / 5yr

0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr

Timing Chain and Gear Wear (All V8s)

— hrs$585 / 5yr

— hrs

Wiper blades

0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

12V battery

0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr

Spark plugs

1.0 hrs$230 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$260 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

3.6 hrs$189 / 5yr

5.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

Steering Box Wear and Pitman Arm Play

— hrs$439 / 5yr

— hrs

Fuel filter

0.6 hrs$240 / 5yr

0.4 hrs$180 / 5yr

Water pump

3.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

2.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

Coolant flush

1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

0.8 hrs$170 / 5yr

FE Engine Intake Manifold and Valley Pan Leaks (390, 428)

— hrs$350 / 5yr

— hrs

Fuel System Varnish and Tank Contamination

— hrs$350 / 5yr

— hrs

Oil pan gasket

4.2 hrs$170 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.4 hrs$180 / 5yr

0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

Alternator

1.8 hrs$143 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

— hrs

0.4 hrs$255 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.7 hrs$140 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$110 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

1.8 hrs$132 / 5yr

1.5 hrs$114 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr

Brake Master Cylinder and Drum/Disc Combo Issues

— hrs$210 / 5yr

— hrs

Starter motor

1.8 hrs$94 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$76 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.0 hrs$67 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$77 / 5yr

Ignition coil

— hrs

1.0 hrs$92 / 5yr

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.

Fluid Capacities

Ford LTD

brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant20.00 qt · Ford ESE-M97B18-C

engine_oil6.00 qt · API SE

power_steering2.50 qt · Ford M2C33-F

rear_diff5.50 qt · API GL-5

transmission_auto11.00 qt · Ford M2C33-F

washer2.00 qt · Windshield washer fluid

Ford LTD

brake0.75 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant14.00 qt · Ford ESE-M97B18-C

engine_oil5.00 qt · API SF/SG

power_steering1.50 qt · Mercon

rear_diff3.50 qt · API GL-5

transmission_auto12.00 qt · Mercon

washer2.00 qt · Windshield washer fluid

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

1989 Ford LTD

5.0L V8

Ford LTD is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$6,807 over 5 years)

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.