2011 Ford E-150 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
75/100
#3 most-complained of 9 E-150 years
NHTSA lists 23 complaints and 11 recalls for the 2011 Ford E-150, giving it a complaint index of 75, the third-worst of 9 model years tracked. That places it in the Avoid category relative to other E-150 years, with steering and transmission problems leading the reported issues.
- Complaints
- 23
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14
- 12.5 city / 16 hwy
Top 2011 Ford E-150 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering5 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (22%)
- Engine4 (17%)
- Brakes3 (13%)
- Electrical System3 (13%)
- Fuel System3 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (13%)
- Other1 (4%)
- Structure & Body1 (4%)
What owners report
- Transmission shifts unexpectedly into 1st gear at highway speed, causing the rear wheels to lock up and the driver to lose control.
- Vehicles shudder, hesitate, or lose power when climbing an incline, sometimes with the engine and wrench warning lights coming on before the failure recurs after repair.
- Brake pedal locks up and stops responding, especially when the vehicle is cold or backing up, leaving no stopping power.
- Rear tires show sidewall separation at highway speed, with a second tire failing shortly after the first was replaced.
- Engine develops an oil leak with the rear main seal replaced twice, along with a leaking steering gear box and transmission lock-up on the same vehicle.
- Sudden loss of power occurs on city streets and interstates, with the issue temporarily resolving after the vehicle is pulled over and restarted.
2011 Ford E-150 recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V729000Nov 4, 2015Other667 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
MobilityWorks (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vans modified by MobilityWorks to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
Risk: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
Remedy: MobilityWorks will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact MobilityWorks customer service at 1-800-769-8267, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. Note: These vehicles and wheelchair lifts were subject to a similar recall in 2014. All vehicles that received that recall remedy are still affected by this recall as well.
- NHTSA 14V706000Nov 5, 2014Other34 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
- NHTSA 14V641000Oct 10, 2014Other834 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Mobility Works (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E150, E250, and E350 vans modified by Mobility Works to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Remedy: Mobility Works will notify owners, and Ricon will supply supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2014. Owners may contact Mobility Works customer service at 1-800-769-8267 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.
2011 Ford E-150 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 12.5 MPG
- Highway
- 16 MPG
- Combined
- 14 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other E-150 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Ford E-150 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2011 E-150 ranks third-worst among 9 model years for owner complaints, with a complaint index of 75 and 11 recalls, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford E-150?
- Owners most often reported steering and transmission/powertrain issues, each accounting for 22% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 17%.
- Does the 2011 Ford E-150 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2011 E-150, covering fuel system components, wheelchair lift equipment, and other systems, though none are marked do-not-drive.
- What year Ford E-150 should I avoid?
- Among the years with data, 2010 has the highest complaint index at 100, followed by 2013 at 88 and 2011 at 75, all rated Avoid; 2014 has the lowest index at 13 and is rated Best.
- At what mileage do 2011 Ford E-150 problems usually appear?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: steering problems were reported around 38,000 miles, transmission issues near 34,870 miles, and brake failures around 88,000 miles.