2011 Ford F-150 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
87/100
#3 most-complained of 16 F-150 years
The 2011 Ford F-150 ranks 3rd worst out of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 87 and 2,189 complaints logged. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 38% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 97,000 miles, backed by 6 recalls.
- Complaints
- 2,189
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 46 / 18
- Injuries / deaths
- 35 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 21 hwy
Top 2011 Ford F-150 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain825 (38%)
- Engine637 (29%)
- Steering419 (19%)
- Electrical System252 (12%)
- Brakes228 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers129 (6%)
- Fuel System117 (5%)
- Other115 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires45 (2%)
- Structure & Body43 (2%)
What owners report
- Transmission fluid leaks out of the overflow under towing load and drips onto the exhaust, in some cases starting a fire.
- Engine hesitates, stumbles, or dies at low speed, sometimes melting intake manifold sensors and part of the throttle body.
- Engine bay fires have occurred while the truck was parked, with flames spreading from under the hood.
- Airbags failed to deploy in frontal or rear-end crashes at highway speed, leaving occupants without protection.
- Rear window defroster has caused the glass to melt while in use.
- Brakes failed to stop the vehicle in normal traffic flow, resulting in a collision.
2011 Ford F-150 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V075000Feb 11, 2019Transmission & Powertrain1,263,051 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 16V248000Apr 27, 2016Transmission & Powertrain153,581 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 12V190000May 3, 2012Electrical System10,500 vehicles
Exterior lighting:back up lights
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 âlamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.â these vehicles may have a transmission range sensor (trs) that was calibrated out of specification for reverse gear.
Risk: If this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse ârâ position and the vehicleâs transmission does go in reverse, the ârâ 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 vehicleâs 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.
2011 Ford F-150 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 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 F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Ford F-150 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 F-150 ranks 3rd worst among 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 87, so it is rated Avoid relative to other F-150 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Ford F-150?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 38% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 97,000 miles, making it the top problem area for this year.
- Does the 2011 Ford F-150 have transmission recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two transmission-related recalls, including one for unexpected downshifts into first gear and another involving powertrain control module reprogramming.
- How many recalls does the 2011 Ford F-150 have?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2011 F-150, covering transmission, electrical system, and structure/body components.
- How does the 2011 F-150 compare to other years?
- The 2011 F-150 has a Complaint Index of 87, worse than the 2010 model's 13 and the 2020 model's 20, but slightly better than the 2013 model's 100.