VehicleVerdict

2011 Ford F-450 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2011 Ford F-450 Sd — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 8 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other F-450 Sd years?

F-450 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted105 complaints1991: 19 complaints1992: 3 complaints1993: 5 complaints1994: 3 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 5 complaints1997: 9 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 76 complaints2000: 59 complaints2001: 28 complaints2002: 15 complaints2003: 18 complaints2004: 43 complaints2005: 47 complaints2006: 44 complaints2007: 19 complaints2008: 105 complaints2009: 5 complaints2010: 4 complaints2011: 11 complaints2012: 5 complaints2013: 2 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 2 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 1 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 5 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 26 complaints2022: 37 complaints2023: 9 complaints2024: 14 complaints2025: 2 complaints2026: 1 complaints
F-450 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-450 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Ford F-450 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine545%
Fuel System218%
Brakes19%
Speed Control19%
Steering19%
Transmission19%

Does the 2011 Ford F-450 Sd have recalls?

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

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.

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.

“VEHICLE FIRE. THE VEHICLE AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE OFF WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. UPDATED 03/21/12 *BF UPDATED 04/30/12*BF UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF UPDATED 05/12/2012 *JS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 1, 2012 · fire

“6.7 DIESEL FUEL INJECTOR HOLD DOWN CLAMP BROKE AND FUEL INJECTOR BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD SPRAYING FUEL ALL OVER ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS SERVICED BY AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERS PER SCHEDULE. VEHICLE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. HAS 98,000 MILES ON IT, BUT IS A FEW MONTHS OVER THE 5 YEAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 16, 2016

“TRUCK WAS PULLING MY 16K 5TH WHEEL CAMPER OVER THE PASSES BETWEEN MONTANA AND IDAHO IN TOW HAUL MODE UP AND DOWN. THESE ARE ONLY 4,200 FOOT PASSES BUT STEEP. USUALLY IN 6TH GEAR BUT SOMETIMES 4TH GOING 50-55; OIL TEMPS SHOW AS 220 TO 239 THEN THE BIG FAN KICKS IN TO COOL IT. ON ONE OF THE SMALLER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 29, 2014

“WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIWAY,SOMETIMES YOU WILL LOSE POWER. YOU WILL FEEL A JERK. THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING BUT NO POWER TO THE WHEELS. PRETTY SCARY WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE. YOU TRY TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. YOU HAVE NO MEANS OF MOVEMENT. YOU CAN NOW…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 17, 2018

“WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIWAY,SOMETIMES YOU WILL LOSE POWER. YOU WILL FEEL A JERK. THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING BUT NO POWER TO THE WHEELS. PRETTY SCARY WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE. YOU TRY TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. YOU HAVE NO MEANS OF MOVEMENT. YOU CAN NOW…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 17, 2018

2011 Ford F-450 Sd — common questions

Is the 2011 Ford F-450 Sd reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 8 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2011 F-450 Sd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (5 complaints), fuel system (2 complaints), steering (1 complaints).

Does the 2011 Ford F-450 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Ford F-450 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-450 Sd under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Ford F-450 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-450 Sd years to avoid are 2008, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2004, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2018. The cleanest record among F-450 Sd years belongs to 2026.

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.