VehicleVerdict

2011 Ford F-150 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 2,962 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.5 times the median F-150 year — the 2011 model ranks #3 of 56 F-150 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 60 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 819 reports (28% of the total).

2,962

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

4

Investigations

73

Crash-involved

27

Fires reported

60

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other F-150 years?

See all F-150 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Ford F-150 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission81928%
Engine51317%
Steering42114%
Electrical System2809%
Speed Control2107%
Brakes1856%
Visibility & Wipers1525%
Fuel System1184%
Other1154%
Body & Structure331%
Tires & Wheels321%
Lighting301%
Airbags151%
Suspension140%
Seats90%
Seat Belts80%
Driver Assistance70%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2011 Ford F-150 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V075000TransmissionFebruary 11, 2019 · 1,263,051 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.

Consequence

Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S07.

16V248000TransmissionApril 27, 2016 · 153,581 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.

Consequence

An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.

12V190000LightingMay 3, 2012 · 10,500 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 “LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.” THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.

Consequence

IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE “R” POSITION AND THE VEHICLE’S TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE “R” MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP ON THE REAR OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, OR MUSTANG VEHICLES MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. THESE CONDITIONS INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK DUE TO THE VEHICLE’S NOT SIGNALING IT IS IN REVERSE.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TRS AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

11V582000TransmissionDecember 8, 2011 · 16,091 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 F-250, F-350, F-450 AND F-550 HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2011. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 114, “THEFT PROTECTION.” THE TRANSMISSION CAN BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL DUE TO BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH PROBLEM.

Consequence

THIS WILL ALLOW THE OPERATOR TO INADVERTENTLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURY TO A NEARBY PEDESTRIAN.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH FUNCTION AND REPLACE THE SWITCH IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

11V128000Electrical SystemFebruary 24, 2011 · 8,022 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 FORD F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, EDGE, AND LINCOLN MKX TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 25, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 20, 2010. THESE VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED USING INTEGRATED DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (IDS) THAT HAD A CUSTOM SOFTWARE ROUTINE TO READ THE SUSPECT BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) SERIAL NUMBER. BASED ON THE SERIAL NUMBER THE BCM WAS EITHER NOT AFFECTED OR REPLACED. THE CUSTOM SOFTWARE ROUTINE WAS NOT READING THE CORRECT SET OF CHARACTERS, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY A BCM THAT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AFFECTED BCMS MAY HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INTERNAL SHORT.

Consequence

IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DEVELOPS, AN OVERHEATING CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

10V659000Body & StructureDecember 29, 2010 · 14,737 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, EDGE AND LINCOLN MKX VEHICLES. DURING A SIX-DAY PRODUCTION PERIOD, THE SUPPLIER OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE MANUFACTURED MODULES THAT MAY HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INTERNAL SHORT.

Consequence

IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DEVELOPS, AN OVERHEATING CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALER WILL REPLACE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I am having a lead frame issue. At various speeds, the vehicle will just down shift, locking the tires and causing a hazard for other drivers which could be a very dangerous situation. I was impacted from the rear due to this occurrence. It causes extreme jerkiness when doing this which is also…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 8, 2026 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 62 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND DECREASE SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 26, 2013 · crash

STEERING BECAME LOCKED AND COULD NOT AVOID HITTING THE MERGING CURB. THIS RESULTED IN BLOWING BOTH TIRES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CHIPPING BOTH RIMS BEYOND REPAIR. WHILE NO ONE WAS INJURED THIS TIME I AM DEFINITELY SURPRISED A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 27, 2014 · crash

I am having a lead frame issue. At various speeds, the vehicle will just down shift, locking the tires and causing a hazard for other drivers which could be a very dangerous situation. I was impacted from the rear due to this occurrence. It causes extreme jerkiness when doing this which is also…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 8, 2026 · crash

2011 FORD F-150. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE EXITING A CAR WASH. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND WOULD NOT STOP, EVEN WITH HIM STANDING ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ONLY AFTER HITTING A PARKED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 22, 2014 · crash

2011 Ford F-150 — common questions

Is the 2011 Ford F-150 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 2,962 complaints put the 2011 model at #3 of 56 F-150 years. It is one of the F-150 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 F-150 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (819 complaints), engine (513 complaints), steering (421 complaints).

Does the 2011 Ford F-150 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Ford F-150. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 Ford F-150 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-150 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-150 years to avoid are 2013, 1997, 2011, 2018, 2016, 2012, 2004, 2015, 2014, 2017, 2019, 1998, 2001, 2005, 1999, 2000, 2021, 2010, 2002, 1994, 2020. The cleanest record among F-150 years belongs to 1976.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.