YearToAvoid

2011 Ford F-250 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2011 Ford F-250 has a complaint index of 80 and ranks 5th worst out of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Owners logged 370 complaints led by suspension/wheels/tires (49%) and steering (40%), with a median failure mileage of 57,584.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
80/100
#5 of 21 F-250 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
370
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
12
reported in complaints
Fires
5
Injuries
6
Top issue
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best

Top 2011 Ford F-250 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Suspension, Wheels & Tires180 (49%)
  2. Steering149 (40%)
  3. Engine68 (18%)
  4. Fuel System35 (9%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain23 (6%)
  6. Brakes21 (6%)
  7. Other20 (5%)
  8. Electrical System19 (5%)
  9. Structure & Body14 (4%)
  10. Airbags4 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some owners describe a 'death wobble' where the front end violently shakes and bounces after hitting a bump, sometimes requiring repeated steering stabilizer and ball joint replacement.
  • Several complaints describe engine compartment fires starting near the master cylinder or wiring harness, in one case while the truck was simply parked.
  • Owners report random stalling at low mileage, in one case followed by damage from debris after another vehicle struck the stalled truck.
  • Some describe the transmission hesitating or slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear, including one case where the truck lost power while pulling onto a busy road and was hit by another vehicle.
  • One owner reported the vehicle shifted into drive from reverse but continued moving backward, causing a crash into a mailbox.
  • Brake failures are described where the pedal traveled to the floor with no stopping power, leading to a crash into a bridge abutment.
2011 Ford F-250 complaints: complaints filed per quarter202010 Q32012 Q32014 Q32016 Q32018 Q32020 Q32022 Q32024 Q4
370 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q3 to 2025 Q4; peak 2015 Q1 (20).

2011 Ford F-250 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 11V128000Feb 24, 2011Electrical System8,022 vehicles

    Electrical system:software

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 10V659000Dec 29, 2010Structure & Body14,737 vehicles

    Structure:body

    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.

    Risk: 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.

2011 compared with other F-250 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Good10770—
2010Good301050—
2011Avoid803702—
2012Caution653231—
2013Best01160—

All Ford F-250 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Ford F-250 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 F-250 ranks 5th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 80 and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other F-250 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford F-250?
NHTSA data shows suspension, wheels & tires complaints make up 49% of reports and steering complaints make up 40%, with engine issues at 18%.
Does the 2011 Ford F-250 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2011 F-250, both tied to the body control module in the electrical system and structure & body categories.
At what mileage do 2011 F-250 problems usually appear?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 57,584 miles for the 2011 F-250.
Which Ford F-250 years are worse than 2011?
Among the years with data, 2019 (complaint index 100), 2017 (95), and 2018 (90) all rank worse than the 2011 model's index of 80.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.