VehicleVerdict

2011 Ford F-150 transmission problems

The 2011 Ford F-150 has 819 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 28% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

819

Transmission complaints

28%

Share of year

6

Crash-involved

3

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

F-150 transmission complaints by model year1,330 complaints1978: 2 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 2 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 10 complaints1989: 9 complaints1990: 15 complaints1991: 14 complaints1992: 30 complaints1993: 50 complaints1994: 64 complaints1995: 81 complaints1996: 29 complaints1997: 156 complaints1998: 88 complaints1999: 84 complaints2000: 47 complaints2001: 79 complaints2002: 53 complaints2003: 63 complaints2004: 245 complaints2005: 114 complaints2006: 48 complaints2007: 59 complaints2008: 51 complaints2009: 33 complaints2010: 123 complaints2011: 819 complaints2012: 673 complaints2013: 1,330 complaints2014: 408 complaints2015: 345 complaints2016: 522 complaints2017: 494 complaints2018: 940 complaints2019: 677 complaints2020: 310 complaints2021: 283 complaints2022: 150 complaints2023: 146 complaints2024: 51 complaints2025: 23 complaints
F-150 transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2011 Ford F-150 have?

NHTSA has 819 complaints about the 2011 Ford F-150 transmission — 28% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2011 Ford F-150 transmission?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the transmission: 11V582000, 16V248000, 19V075000.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.