FORD F-150 · model year

2011 FORD F-150

2938 NHTSA complaints, 70 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011FORDF-150 carries 2938 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 70 crashes, 27 fires, 57 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 F-150 is power train with 792 filings, followed by engine (479) and steering (416). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2011 F-150, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

2938
Complaints
70
Crashes
27
Fires
57
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

2938 filings

Crashes Reported

70 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN792
ENGINE479
STEERING416
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM215
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL204
SERVICE BRAKES161
UNKNOWN OR OTHER110
VISIBILITY/WIPER91
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM73
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)44
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE42
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING28
EXTERIOR LIGHTING28
STRUCTURE:BODY27
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR22

Recalls (6)

10V65900029/12/2010

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.

16V24800027/04/2016

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

11V12800024/02/2011

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

19V07500011/02/2019

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

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.

11V58200008/12/2011

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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 RE

12V19000003/05/2012

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

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 BRA

Recent Complaints

20260209POWER TRAIN

Trans mission input shaft speed sensor. Transmission is downshifting and going into limp mode while driving.

20260206POWER TRAIN

I faced an unexpected transmission downshift that came without warning or driver input. Transmission 6R80. The same problem that is being investigated for the 2015 - 2017 Ford F-150. The truck only had 105,904 miles. I was almost hit in the rear when this happened. This happened in November 2025

20260131POWER TRAIN

The truck will randomly downshift from 4th or 5th gear to 1st gear. I was driving around 64 miles per hour and the truck downshifted into first gear. It made me swerve out of my lane on the highway and sounded terrible on the engine. It’s very dangerous and is going to cause a wreck or ruin the engine. Ford had an extended warranty for up to 150,000 miles on the molded leadframe and my truck has 156,000. Ford refused to fix this issue and I feel as if they should replace the faulty part.

20260101EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BostonMA2266United States1/1/2026"Are LED manufacturers trying to destroy my country, or pushing the slightly less nefarious agenda of stimulating auto-wreck insurance companies and Lens Crafters? It's unbelievable how so many people keep wanting to go back down an old, broken road."

20251223ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Orchid Isle Ford in Hilo has replaced the electronic power steering rack and pinion already once but now it’s gone bad again.I don’t understand why because I hardly drive my truck and it has only 40 something thousands miles on it

20251223STEERING

Orchid Isle Ford in Hilo has replaced the electronic power steering rack and pinion already once but now it’s gone bad again.I don’t understand why because I hardly drive my truck and it has only 40 something thousands miles on it

20251213STEERING

Driving about 10 mph when steering lockup Shop replaced rack opinion

20251206SERVICE BRAKES

Steering became stiff and difficult, brakes fell off the vehicle. No breaks. Heard/felt a pop and steering became loose. No steering, steering wheel was not turning the tires. Operated as a toy steering wheel without any temsion/control. I was stopped at a stop sign when the incident happened going 0mph.

20251206STEERING

Steering became stiff and difficult, brakes fell off the vehicle. No breaks. Heard/felt a pop and steering became loose. No steering, steering wheel was not turning the tires. Operated as a toy steering wheel without any temsion/control. I was stopped at a stop sign when the incident happened going 0mph.

20251205ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The first indication of problems came when I tried to put the truck in gear and I noticed that the reverse light didn't come on and it wouldn't engage into the gear then as I was traveling down a three-lane highway in the middle lane the car started jerking and like it didn't want to go and then I got to a red light and the truck would not move so I was stuck in the central lane but after engaging the gear several times I managed to get the vehicle into a gas station parking lot where I call the dealership after finding out that I had the trouble code that was referred in the recall and the vehicle was towed to Duval I mean it was told to Hogan forward on Atlantic boulevard .where it's now under inspection.

20251205POWER TRAIN

The first indication of problems came when I tried to put the truck in gear and I noticed that the reverse light didn't come on and it wouldn't engage into the gear then as I was traveling down a three-lane highway in the middle lane the car started jerking and like it didn't want to go and then I got to a red light and the truck would not move so I was stuck in the central lane but after engaging the gear several times I managed to get the vehicle into a gas station parking lot where I call the dealership after finding out that I had the trouble code that was referred in the recall and the vehicle was towed to Duval I mean it was told to Hogan forward on Atlantic boulevard .where it's now under inspection.

20251205UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The first indication of problems came when I tried to put the truck in gear and I noticed that the reverse light didn't come on and it wouldn't engage into the gear then as I was traveling down a three-lane highway in the middle lane the car started jerking and like it didn't want to go and then I got to a red light and the truck would not move so I was stuck in the central lane but after engaging the gear several times I managed to get the vehicle into a gas station parking lot where I call the dealership after finding out that I had the trouble code that was referred in the recall and the vehicle was towed to Duval I mean it was told to Hogan forward on Atlantic boulevard .where it's now under inspection.

20251203SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to decelerate and come to a complete stop while the brake pedal was depressed. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that excessive force was needed, or the brake pedal needed to be pumped several times to start operating as needed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where the brake master cylinder was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was also taken to several other local dealers, where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

20251125POWER TRAIN

P072200-68, CMDTC, Output Shaft Sensor Circuit No Signal. There has reportedly been multiple recalls for the 2011 Ford F-150's 6-speed automatic transmission related to an issue with the molded lead frame that can cause an unexpected downshift into first gear.

20251117POWER TRAIN

TRUCK HAS INTERMITTENT OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPLTY DOWNSHIFT AND LOCK REAR END UP. FORD IS AWARE ACVORDING TO FORD TSB 13-6-8. MOLDED LEAD FRAME NEEDS REPLACED. I GAVE OBD CODES P0720 AND P0722 INDICATING THIS FOR WANTS 2000.00 DOLLARS TO FIX A KNOWN REPAIR. CALLED FMC IN DEARBORN...PRETTY MUCH TOLD ME ITS MY PROBLEM.

20251107BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rearview camera was glitching and had displayed a blank image. The message “Camera Unavailable” was displayed. Neither an independent mechanic nor a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to a recall that did not include the year, make and model of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 21,704.

Mileage: 21,704

20251107ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Was starting to accelerate out of a toll booth a vehicle and was about 60mph when suddenly the engine shut off. Electrical worked. Got mechanical symbol and then oil pressure low warning. It started to down shift and slow rapidly in traffic. Managed to get to side of road but almost got hit. Got it towed to dealer and the fuel pump fuse had melted. Shutting off the fuel pump.

20251107FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Was starting to accelerate out of a toll booth a vehicle and was about 60mph when suddenly the engine shut off. Electrical worked. Got mechanical symbol and then oil pressure low warning. It started to down shift and slow rapidly in traffic. Managed to get to side of road but almost got hit. Got it towed to dealer and the fuel pump fuse had melted. Shutting off the fuel pump.

20251105POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after the dealer had reprogrammed the PCM under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train), the vehicle started to experience failures. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle downshifted to first gear unintendedly. The powertrain warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact resumed driving; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake lights, the hazard lights, the turn signal lights, and the infotainment system and the A/C system became inoperable after the recall repair. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure might be related to the electrical system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20251105ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after the dealer had reprogrammed the PCM under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train), the vehicle started to experience failures. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle downshifted to first gear unintendedly. The powertrain warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact resumed driving; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake lights, the hazard lights, the turn signal lights, and the infotainment system and the A/C system became inoperable after the recall repair. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure might be related to the electrical system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

Compare 2011FORDF-150 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 FORD F-150 have?
The 2011 FORD F-150 has 2938 NHTSA complaints, 70 crashes, 27 fires, 57 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 FORD F-150?
Yes, the 2011 FORD F-150 has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is STRUCTURE:BODY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 FORD F-150?
The most-complained component for the 2011 FORD F-150 is POWER TRAIN with 792 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and STEERING.
Is the 2011 FORD F-150 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.