Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2011 Ford F-150: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker F-150 years.
6,411 owner complaints, most about power train. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2011 F-150?The 2011 Ford F-150 has 6411 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and engine. Owners most often flag fuel system issues from e85 use (fuel line damage, buildup requiring tank drop and cleaning): reported by one owner of a 2011 5.0 v8 flex-fuel truck.
Safety record for the 2011 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2011 Ford F-150 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other F-150 years only. How we score it
Is 2011 a good year for the F-150?
Across the 30 F-150 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 324 (2009) to 8,388 (2013). With 6,411 complaints, the 2011 F-150 sits above the model's median of 2,537.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2011 F-150
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 19V075000Ford 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.
power train:automatic transmission
Campaign 16V248000Ford 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.
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 12V190000FORD 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.
power train:automatic transmission
Campaign 11V582000FORD 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.
Show 2 more recalls
electrical system:software
Campaign 11V128000FORD 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.
structure:body
Campaign 10V659000FORD 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.
What owners say across generations
Owners express strong overall satisfaction, particularly with the Lightning EV model, which is praised as the best vehicle many have owned. The spacious rear seat is highlighted as excellent for families with three car seats.
- IsolatedFuel system issues from E85 use (fuel line damage, buildup requiring tank drop and cleaning)
Reported by one owner of a 2011 5.0 V8 Flex-Fuel truck.
Owner insights cover all generations of the F-150. See the full F-150 owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used F-150 listings typically run $16,400–$34,944.
Other F-150 model years
Compare every F-150 year side by side to see how 2011 ranks against the rest.
Compare the F-150 against its rivals
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