2011 Ford F-450 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Ford F-450 has a complaint index of 45, ranking 12th out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict capped by 10 recall campaigns. Engine problems make up 53% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 72,560 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 45/100
- #12 of 21 F-450 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 15
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2011 Ford F-450 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine8 (53%)
- Fuel System3 (20%)
- Steering3 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (13%)
- Brakes1 (7%)
- Electrical System1 (7%)
- Other1 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report engines stalling or losing power at highway speeds, sometimes with a warning light before the vehicle fails to restart.
- Some describe an engine fire starting while the vehicle was parked and all warning lights were off.
- One owner reported an engine failure caused by a glow plug falling into a cylinder, breaking a connecting rod and starting a brief fire.
- Fuel system complaints describe contaminated fuel and a fuel injector hold-down clamp breaking, spraying fuel in the engine compartment while driving.
- Steering complaints describe a 'death wobble' or uncontrollable shaking of the steering wheel at highway speed and during acceleration.
- One owner reported losing turn signal, brake, and emergency lights on a towed trailer, while truck lights worked normally.
2011 Ford F-450 recalls
10 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 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.
- NHTSA 14V360000Jun 23, 2014Other10 vehicles
Equipment
Palfleet Truck Equipment Company, LLC (Palfleet) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 super duty vehicles modified by Palfleet 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: Palfleet will notify 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 July 29, 2014. Owners may contact Palfleet customer service at 1- 502-376-2458.
2011 compared with other F-450 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Ford F-450 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 F-450 a complaint index of 45, ranking 12th out of 21 model years for this model. Its verdict is Caution, driven mainly by 10 recall campaigns rather than a high complaint count.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford F-450?
- Engine issues account for 53% of complaints, followed by fuel system and steering issues at 20% each. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints was 72,560 miles.
- Does the 2011 Ford F-450 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2011 F-450, including a transmission control module software update and an exhaust gas temperature sensor replacement on ambulance-package trucks with the 6.7L diesel engine.
- How does the 2011 F-450 compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 45, the 2011 F-450 ranks worse than years like 2015 and 2016, which earned Best verdicts with complaint indexes of 15 and 10, but better than 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024, which are rated Avoid.
- Why is the 2011 F-450 rated Caution instead of based on complaints alone?
- The verdict is capped to Caution because of 10 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, even though its complaint index of 45 alone would not necessarily place it in that category.