2011 Ford F-150 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2011 Ford F-150 has a complaint index of 85, ranking 4th worst of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners most often reported transmission and powertrain problems (825 complaints, 38% share), with failures typically surfacing around 71,000 miles, plus six recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 F-150 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2,189
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 46
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 18
- Injuries
- 35
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 35 / 0
Top 2011 Ford F-150 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Transmission fluid leaks from the overflow under towing load and can ignite on the hot exhaust system.
- Engine intake manifold sensors and throttle body have melted after a stall accompanied by a rattling or marble-like noise.
- Engine compartments have caught fire while the truck sat parked with no warning.
- Airbags failed to deploy in frontal and off-road impact crashes, leaving occupants without protection.
- Rear window defroster glass has melted while in use, requiring glass and defroster replacement.
- Brakes have failed to stop the truck in normal highway-speed traffic, resulting in collisions.
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 4th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 85 and an Avoid verdict, driven mainly by transmission and powertrain reports.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 F-150?
- Transmission and powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 825 complaints (38% of all reports), with a median failure mileage of 97,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 F-150 have transmission recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recall 19V075000 for unexpected downshifts into first gear and recall 16V248000 for automatic transmission software, both covering the 2011 model year.
- How does the 2011 F-150 compare to other years?
- The 2011 F-150 has a complaint index of 85, worse than earlier years like 2008 (10) and 2009 (15), but slightly better than 2012 (75) and well below 2013's 100, the worst year recorded.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2011 F-150?
- EPA rates the 2011 F-150 at 17 mpg combined (15 city / 21 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.