2011 Ford F150

Family: F150 · filed with NHTSA as F-150

Summary

In its first three years the 2011 F150 drew 294 complaints — 1.2× the median of its generation (2009–2014). It does not stand out from the other years of this generation.
These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Powertrain, holds 39% of the 2,137 that name a component.
6 recalls filed for this model year.
4 federal defect investigations cover this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints: 2,194
Recalls: 6
Investigations: 4
NCAP overall: 4 of 5 stars
Combined MPG: 12–19
Annual fuel cost: $3,300–$5,200
Median mileage at complaint: 71,000 mi (n = 1,821)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths: 46 / 19 / 35 / 0

What owners report

Powertrain

829 complaints · 39% of complaints that name a component · median 97,142 mi (n = 632)

Owner report Ford issued a recall for the Lead frame. Recall ID 19so7 & 16s19. My truck has experienced the issues associated with this recall. Last night it was more severe. The truck shifted from 5th to 1st gear unexpectedly. I have already tried to remedy this with ford. I made the appointment on their website to have this fixed…

Owner report The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle experienced a slight loss of motive power, and the transmission failed to shift in synchronization with the engine. The check engine warning light and the service vehicle soon warning light illuminated. A diagnostic scanner…

Engine

511 complaints · 24% of complaints that name a component · median 50,000 mi (n = 468)

Owner report The display will show a wrench icon and check engine light. The transmission will suddenly downshift and lose power. The RPMs will either rise or remain the same but unable to accelerate. The wheels will intermittently lock up. This occurs at high speeds on the highway and on back roads at slower speeds. Stopping the t…

Owner report The contact owned a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at 15 MPH and making a left turn, in the middle of the turn, the instrument panel turned off, and the vehicle jerked forward before losing automotive power. The contact was not able to clear the intersection in time and the vehicle crashed into anoth…

Steering

419 complaints · 20% of complaints that name a component · median 76,000 mi (n = 365)

Owner report The power steering goes out randomly. While driving forward , backing up, parking, turning. Very dangerous to drive.

Owner report I was driving when the steering locked up with no warning light on the dash or fault messages. Was driving on a road and taking a turn when I went straight into the woods not allowing control of vehicle

3% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (2009–2014)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 252.

Model year	All complaints	First three years	Note
2009	324	85	fewest complaints
2010	843	176
2011	2,194	294
2012	1,784	399	most complaints
2013	2,992	340
2014	1,539	211

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

19V075000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Filed 2019-02-11 · 1,263,051 vehicles

Defect: 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.

16V248000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Filed 2016-04-27 · 153,581 vehicles

Defect: 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.

12V190000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Filed 2012-05-03 · 10,500 vehicles

Defect: 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 "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." 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 "R" POSITION AND THE VEHICLE’S TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE "R" 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 VEHICLE’S 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.

11V582000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Filed 2011-12-08 · 16,091 vehicles

Defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 F-250, F-350, F-450 AND F-550 HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2011. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THE TRANSMISSION CAN BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL DUE TO BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH PROBLEM.

Risk: THIS WILL ALLOW THE OPERATOR TO INADVERTENTLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURY TO A NEARBY PEDESTRIAN.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH FUNCTION AND REPLACE THE SWITCH IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

11V128000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Filed 2011-02-24 · 8,022 vehicles

Defect: 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.

10V659000 · STRUCTURE:BODY

Filed 2010-12-29 · 14,737 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Federal investigations

Action	Component	Opened	Closed	Recall
RQ17010	POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)	2017-12-25	2019-10-22	19V075000
EA15006	SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC	2015-10-16	2016-04-28
PE15026	SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC	2015-06-22	2015-10-19
PE13018	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	2013-05-22	2014-04-07

RQ17010: Unexpected Transmission Downshift

EA15006: Brake Vacuum Pump Failure

PE15026: Brake Vacuum Pump Failure

PE13018: Reduced power during hard acceleration

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Fuel cost / yr
F150 Pickup 2WD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S6)	Rear-Wheel Drive	16	22	18	$3450
F150 Pickup 2WD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	16	22	18	$3450
F150 Pickup 2WD	6.2L 8cyl	Automatic (S6)	Rear-Wheel Drive	13	18	14	$4450
F150 Pickup 2WD FFV	3.7L 6cyl FFV	Automatic (S6)	Rear-Wheel Drive	17	22	19	$3300
F150 Pickup 2WD FFV	3.7L 6cyl FFV	Automatic 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	17	22	19	$3300
F150 Pickup 2WD FFV	5.0L 8cyl FFV	Automatic (S6)	Rear-Wheel Drive	15	21	17	$3650
F150 Pickup 2WD FFV	5.0L 8cyl FFV	Automatic 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	15	21	17	$3650
F150 Pickup 4WD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S6)	4-Wheel Drive	15	21	17	$3650
F150 Pickup 4WD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic 6-spd	4-Wheel Drive	15	21	17	$3650
F150 Pickup 4WD	6.2L 8cyl	Automatic (S6)	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	12	16	13	$4800
F150 Pickup 4WD FFV	3.7L 6cyl FFV	Automatic 6-spd	4-Wheel Drive	16	21	18	$3450
F150 Pickup 4WD FFV	3.7L 6cyl FFV	Automatic (S6)	4-Wheel Drive	16	21	18	$3450
F150 Pickup 4WD FFV	5.0L 8cyl FFV	Automatic (S6)	4-Wheel Drive	14	19	16	$3900
F150 Pickup 4WD FFV	5.0L 8cyl FFV	Automatic 6-spd	4-Wheel Drive	14	19	16	$3900
F150 Raptor Pickup 4WD	6.2L 8cyl	Automatic (S6)	4-Wheel Drive	11	14	12	$5200

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

Variant	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
2011 Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x4	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆
2011 Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x2	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
2011 Ford F-150 Supercab PU/EC 4x4	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆
2011 Ford F-150 Supercab PU/EC 4x2	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆

Service bulletins

Ford issued 120 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about power train.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

Date	Component	Summary
2026-04-29	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	Harvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program
2026-02-24	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the access…
2025-11-19	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	This is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited number of affected vehicles that are customer-owned. Ford is voluntarily conducting this program to evaluate the software currently installed on one or m…
2024-07-24	WHEELS	This article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to clarify applicable steps by vehicle application. Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhib…
2024-04-24	EQUIPMENT	All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during ini…
2024-03-06	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	Some 2011-2024 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a tick tap and/or typewriter ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change. It is often referred to as typewriter noise because of its similarity to the so…
2023-04-04	STRUCTURE	For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification numbe…
2022-06-21	POWER TRAIN	Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IW…
2021-08-17	POWER TRAIN	This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program.
2021-08-17	POWER TRAIN	This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program.

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this F150, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Ford F150 model page.

Sources

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.