Is the 2011 Ford F-150 a bad year?
2,191 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 829, 15× a quiet F-150 year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 15× the complaints of a quiet F-150 year, spread over 60k–142k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2011 F-150 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 98,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 829 (38%) | 60k–142k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 419 (19%) | 46k–110k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical system | 235 (11%) | 47k–120k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 44 (2%) | 57k–103k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 30 (1%) | 58k–134k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Wheels | 13 (1%) | 48k–116k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 508 (23%) | 25k–85k miles · mostly behind | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 213 (10%) | 33k–96k miles · mostly behind | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 183 (8%) | 40k–94k miles · mostly behind | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 147 (7%) | 38k–84k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 117 (5%) | 20k–74k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 33 (2%) | 47k–84k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 15 (1%) | 10k–39k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 14 (1%) | 35k–96k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 98,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 2,191 complaints: 46 mention a crash · 19 mention a fire · 25 report an injury · 50 say the car was towed.
45 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
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.
#1: driving down the interstate, attempting to pass a semi; vehicle lost power as I tried to accelerate and we had to coast to a stop.
Unexpected transmission downshift on january 31, 2018. While driving on I 70 heading towards kansas city, mo from independence, mo, my F-150 unexpectedly shifted into first gear while I was driving at 65 mph.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 98,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2011 Ford F-150: 6
The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed. Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed. 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.
These vehicles may have a transmission range sensor (Trs) that was calibrated out of specification for reverse gear. 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…
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. 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.
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. If an electrical short develops, an overheating condition may occur which could result in a vehicle fire.
During a six-day production period, the supplier of the body control module manufactured modules that may have the potential for an internal short. If an electrical short develops, an overheating condition may occur which can result in an unattended vehicle fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 112
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2011 Ford F-150. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
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
Some vehicles may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area
Some 2011-2021 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change
Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped with A 6R80 Transmission Transmission Molded Leadframe…
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Unexpected Transmission Downshift
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Reduced power during hard acceleration
Neighbouring years
2010 F-150: 841 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2012 F-150: 1,782 complaints, consider selling.
Every Ford F-150 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All F-150 years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2011 Ford F-150 a bad year?
2,191 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 829, 15× a quiet F-150 year. At 98,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 15× the complaints of a quiet F-150 year, spread over 60k–142k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford F-150?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (829), steering (419), electrical system (235), stability control (44), exterior lighting (30). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 60k–142k miles.
How many recalls does the 2011 Ford F-150 have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 19V-075), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-248), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 12V-190), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 11V-582) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.