2011 Ford F-350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Ford F-350 carries a Complaint Index of 45 and ranks 12th worst of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 186 complaints, 14 recall campaigns, and a median failure mileage of 56,211, with suspension, wheels & tires as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 45/100
- #12 of 21 F-350 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 186
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 14
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Top 2011 Ford F-350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires69 (37%)
- Steering66 (35%)
- Engine48 (26%)
- Fuel System27 (15%)
- Electrical System16 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (7%)
- Other11 (6%)
- Brakes10 (5%)
- Structure & Body6 (3%)
- Airbags1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front tires have blown out at highway speed, in one case causing tread separation and a crash into a tree.
- A rear dually wheel came loose and separated from the truck, leading to loss of control on a highway.
- Owners report fires starting under the hood, with one incident causing lights, wipers, and the dump bed to activate on their own.
- A fuel system fire developed underneath the cab while driving at highway speed.
- Braking has been described as inconsistent, with the ABS reportedly preventing a full stop even under hard pedal pressure.
- One owner reported the transmission shifting into neutral intermittently during acceleration at very low mileage.
2011 Ford F-350 recalls
14 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V175000Mar 25, 2015Transmission & Powertrain6,322 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 14V507000Aug 18, 2014Other76 vehicles
Equipment
Jerr-Dan Corporation (Jerr-Dan) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Superduty chassis modified by Jerr-Dan 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.
Risk: 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: Jerr-Dan will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Jerr-Dan customer service at 1-800-926-9666.
- NHTSA 14V498000Aug 13, 2014Other3 vehicles
Equipment
PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co., (PJ's) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis modified by PJ's 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.
Risk: 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: PJ's has notified 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 August 28, 2014. Owners may contact PJ's customer service at 1-866-475-8782.
2011 compared with other F-350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Ford F-350 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 F-350 a Complaint Index of 45, ranking 12th worst out of 21 model years for this truck, with a Caution verdict rather than Good or Avoid.
- What problems does the 2011 Ford F-350 have?
- The top problem area is Suspension, Wheels & Tires, making up 37% of complaints, followed by Steering at 35% and Engine at 26%. Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 56,211.
- Does the 2011 Ford F-350 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the 2011 F-350, several involving PTO pressure switch kits on upfitted chassis and a powertrain control module software update for ambulance/fire package trucks.
- Why is the 2011 F-350 rated Caution instead of a lower complaint index rank suggesting better?
- The verdict is capped to Caution because of the 14 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, even though its complaint index of 45 is moderate compared to other years.
- How does the 2011 F-350 compare to other years?
- The 2011 model's complaint index of 45 is lower than Avoid-rated years like 2017 (95), 2019 (100), and 2020 (90), but higher than Good-rated years like 2007 (0) and 2014 (20).