2011 Ford F-550 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Ford F-550 has 15 complaints and 17 recall campaigns, giving a complaint index of 25 but a Caution verdict because of the recall count. It ranks 16th worst among 21 model years, with Engine problems making up 53% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 F-550 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 15
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 17
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2011 Ford F-550 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine8 (53%)
- Fuel System4 (27%)
- Other2 (13%)
- Structure & Body2 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (13%)
- Brakes1 (7%)
- Steering1 (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
- Engine stalls at low speed and can restart only after multiple attempts, sometimes tied to fuel contamination.
- Fuel system contamination leads to stalling and a low power warning, requiring fuel line or fuel system replacement.
- Fuel tank interior lining reportedly sheds material into the fuel tank, damaging the engine and requiring tank replacement.
- Engine shuts off and refuses to restart immediately, only starting again after sitting for a couple hours.
- Rear sway bar hardware works loose from the chassis frame at low mileage.
- Truck shakes uncontrollably at highway speeds despite replacing the front end, driveshaft, tires, and wheels.
2011 Ford F-550 recalls
17 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 15V112000Feb 25, 2015Other117 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Farber Specialty Vehicles (Farber) is recalling various specialty vehicles modified by Farber and equipped with model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Remedy: Farber will notify owners to take their vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Farber customer service at 1-800-331-3188, or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Farber's number for this recall is 14E-041.
- NHTSA 15V052000Jan 30, 2015Engine1 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
All Wheel Drive Equipment Mfg., Inc. (All Wheel) is recalling one model year 2011 Ford F-550 truck with a 6.8L gasoline engine manufactured May 14, 2010, to May 28, 2010. The affected vehicle is equipped with a PTO Assembly Pressure Switch, part number FR67, used with power take off (PTO) assemblies for Ford F-550 chassis. The PTO switch may leak oil onto the thermal blanket.
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: All Wheel has notified the owner and will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. Owners may contact All Wheel customer service at 1-800-311-4778.
2011 compared with other F-550 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Ford F-550 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 15 complaints and a complaint index of 25 for the 2011 F-550, which is moderate compared to other years. It still carries a Caution verdict because it has 17 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2011 Ford F-550?
- Engine complaints make up 53% of all complaints for this year, with a median failure mileage of 23,277.5 miles. Fuel System issues are next at 27% of complaints.
- Does the 2011 Ford F-550 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for the 2011 F-550, many involving PTO assembly pressure switches on trucks modified by outside equipment upfitters.
- How does the 2011 model compare to other F-550 years?
- The 2011 F-550 ranks 16th worst out of 21 model years with data. Years like 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 carry an Avoid verdict with higher complaint indexes of 90, 85, 95, and 100.
- Was anyone hurt in 2011 Ford F-550 complaints?
- NHTSA records 1 crash and 0 fires, injuries, or deaths tied to 2011 F-550 complaints.