2011 Ford F-150 problems: complaints and recalls
The 2011 Ford F-150 has 2,137 complaints and 6 recalls on file as of 2026-10-16. This page shows which systems the complaints name, how many report a crash or fire, and every recall with what it says.
Complaint figures come from NHTSA's complaints database, downloaded on 2026-10-16.
At a glance
| Measure | 2011 F-150 |
|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 2,137 |
| Filed within three years of the model year | 482 |
| Complaints reporting a crash | 41 |
| Complaints reporting a fire | 18 |
| Complaints reporting an injury | 22 |
| Deaths reported in complaints | 0 |
| Recalls | 6 |
It ranks 2nd of the 12 model years on this site by total complaints and 6th by complaints filed in the first three years. Older trucks have had longer to collect complaints, which is why the first-three-years count is shown next to the total.
Which systems the complaints name
Power train leads with 786 complaints (37% of the total), followed by engine (477) and steering (413). A complaint can name more than one system, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 786 | 37% |
| Engine | 477 | 22% |
| Steering | 413 | 19% |
| Electrical system | 224 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 203 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 181 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 108 | 5% |
| Visibility/wiper | 91 | 4% |
"Unknown or other" means the complaint was not filed under a specific system.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2011 Ford F-150.
| Reported | Campaign | Component | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-02-11 | 19V075000 | 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. Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2016-04-27 | 16V248000 | 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. 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. |
| 2012-05-03 | 12V190000 | 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. 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 VEHICLES 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. |
| 2011-12-08 | 11V582000 | 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. 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. |
| 2011-02-24 | 11V128000 | 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. IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DEVELOPS, AN OVERHEATING CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. |
| 2010-12-29 | 10V659000 | Structure: body | FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, EDGE AND LINCOLN MKX VEHICLES. IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DEVELOPS, AN OVERHEATING CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE FIRE. |
Some recalls cover only certain engines, cab styles or build dates, so match each one to the truck in front of you before you count it against the truck.
Before you buy a 2011 F-150
- Run the truck's VIN through the federal recall lookup. A recall is only closed when the repair is done on that truck, so ask the seller for the paperwork.
- Read the recalls above against the engine and options on the truck you are looking at.
- Treat complaints as a list of what to ask about and test-drive for, not as a failure rate. See the method page for what the numbers can and cannot tell you.
- Compare the neighbours: 2010 and 2012, or see all 12 years side by side.
Sources
- F-150 REGULAR CAB, F-150 SUPERCAB, F-150 SUPER CREW: complaint records for 2011 (JSON). The set shown above is these combined, each complaint counted once.
- F-150 recall records for 2011 (JSON).