VehicleVerdict

2011 Ford F-350 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 63 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median F-350 Sd year — the 2011 model ranks #13 of 34 F-350 Sd years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (15), steering (14), and suspension (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

63

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other F-350 Sd years?

F-350 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted269 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 5 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 3 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 169 complaints2000: 188 complaints2001: 188 complaints2002: 145 complaints2003: 164 complaints2004: 159 complaints2005: 269 complaints2006: 192 complaints2007: 35 complaints2008: 146 complaints2009: 25 complaints2010: 79 complaints2011: 63 complaints2012: 50 complaints2013: 12 complaints2014: 12 complaints2015: 26 complaints2016: 26 complaints2017: 118 complaints2018: 6 complaints2019: 13 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 6 complaints2022: 158 complaints2023: 54 complaints2024: 61 complaints2025: 20 complaints2026: 12 complaints
F-350 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-350 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Ford F-350 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1524%
Steering1422%
Suspension813%
Tires & Wheels711%
Fuel System610%
Transmission46%
Brakes35%
Other23%
Electrical System23%
Body & Structure12%
Lighting12%

Does the 2011 Ford F-350 Sd have recalls?

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

20E090000OtherDecember 9, 2020 · 102 units

Defect

Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up.

Consequence

If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon customer service at 1-951-689-4266.

15V175000TransmissionMarch 25, 2015 · 6,322 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks manufactured February 22, 2010, to January 30, 2015, and equipped with ambulance or fire engine preparation packages. The affected vehicles may detect an incorrect Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor (EGT) fault indicating that the vehicle is too hot, causing the engine management system to shut down the engine and prevent its immediate restart.

Consequence

Engine shut down and a subsequent cool down period may delay medical treatment or assistance to those needing it, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S09.

14V360000OtherJune 23, 2014 · 10 units

Defect

Palfleet Truck Equipment Company, LLC (Palfleet) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 super duty vehicles modified by Palfleet and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.

Consequence

The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy

Palfleet will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on July 29, 2014. Owners may contact Palfleet customer service at 1- 502-376-2458.

14V328000OtherJune 13, 2014 · 21 units

Defect

Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners and dealers to inspect the Muncie PTO pressure switch to determine if it is from the range of defective switches and if required, remove the pressure switch assembly and put a plug in the port where the PTO switch had been installed. This switch was never being utilized. This will be done free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-July 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.

Consequence

The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy

Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.

14V327000OtherJune 12, 2014 · 10 units

Defect

Stahl is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles modified by Stahl and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.

Consequence

The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy

Stahl will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. Owners may contact Stahl customer service at 1-800-277-8245, or Muncie at 1-800-367-7867.

14V379000OtherJune 10, 2014 · 16 units

Defect

Utility Truck Equipment Company, LLC (Utility Truck) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 UTLI41A, 2011 UTLN41, and 2012 UTLN46 aerial trucks manufactured December 2010 to September 2013 equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies installed on 2010-2013 Ford F-350, F-450 and F-550 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.

Consequence

The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy

Utility Truck will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began in June 2014. Owners may contact Utility Truck customer service at 1-254-857-8813.

14V382000OtherJune 10, 2014 · 4 units

Defect

Somerset Welding & Steel, doing business as J&J Truck equipment (J&J), is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis with 6.8L gasoline engines modified by J&J to be equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.

Consequence

The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy

Somerset will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began August 2014. Owner's may contact Somerset customer service at 1-800-777-2671.

14V307000OtherJune 4, 2014 · 19 units

Defect

Tactical Vehicle Outfitters (Tactical) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ford F-350 and F-550 vehicles modified by Tactical and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.

Consequence

The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy

Tactical will notify owners, and dealers will install a new PTO pressure switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Tactical customer service at 1-405-603-6700.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A BAD DEF PUMP, HEATER AND SENSOR. THESE ARE FOR EMISSION CONTROL AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THESE PARTS ARE NOT A WARRANTIED ITEM. SEEMS THAT THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 30, 2015

“TRUCK GOES INTO A DEATH WOBBLE WHEN DRIVING 60MPH OR FASTER. USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU GO OVER A BRIDGE, CATTLE GUARD OR BUMP IN THE ROAD. CAUSE THE CEHICLE TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND YOU HAVE TO COME TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP. I HAVE HAD FORD WORK ON IT AND NOTHING HAS CURED THE PROBLEM. THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 12, 2016

“TRUCK GOES INTO A DEATH WOBBLE WHEN DRIVING 60MPH OR FASTER. USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU GO OVER A BRIDGE, CATTLE GUARD OR BUMP IN THE ROAD. CAUSE THE CEHICLE TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND YOU HAVE TO COME TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP. I HAVE HAD FORD WORK ON IT AND NOTHING HAS CURED THE PROBLEM. THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 12, 2016

“CATASTROPHIC TREAD SEPARATION (TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE) OF LEFT REAR TIRE ON PICKUP. NEARLY LOST CONTROL, BUT MAINTAINED CONTROL AND GOT TO SIDE OF ROAD. ESTIMATED $8,500 DAMAGES TO TRUCK. NO INJURIES AND NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. NO ROAD HAZARD HIT. TIRES ROTATED AS REQUIRED. IN FOR DEALER SERVICE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 29, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CHECK VALVE IN THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSE A BLOCKAGE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 1, 2016

2011 Ford F-350 Sd — common questions

Is the 2011 Ford F-350 Sd reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 63 complaints put the 2011 model at #13 of 34 F-350 Sd years. It is one of the F-350 Sd years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 F-350 Sd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (15 complaints), steering (14 complaints), suspension (8 complaints).

Does the 2011 Ford F-350 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Ford F-350 Sd. 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-350 Sd under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-350 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 Sd years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2001, 2000, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2022, 2008, 2002, 2017, 2010, 2011, 2024, 2023, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2018, 2020. The cleanest record among F-350 Sd years belongs to 1996.

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.