Is the 2011 Ford F-350 SD a bad year?
186 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 43, 4.3× a quiet F-350 SD year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 4.3× the complaints of a quiet F-350 SD year, spread over 37k–109k 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-350 SD 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 62,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 66 (35%) | 29k–108k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 54 (29%) | 26k–118k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 43 (23%) | 37k–109k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 27 (15%) | 35k–88k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 15 (8%) | 24k–84k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 13 (7%) | 10k–80k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Wheels | 8 (4%) | 30k–96k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Tires | 13 (7%) | 22k–58k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
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 62,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 186 complaints: 6 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 3 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Dec 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Started the truck and was running odd. Decided to start driving to see if the problem would work it self out and started to smell lots of diesel fuel.
Vehicle parked at approximately 10:50 am after being driven, within 15 minutes smoke was noticed coming from under the hood.
The engine in my 2011 Ford F350 super duty diesel shut down with no advance warning in freeway rush hour traffic due to a egt sensor.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 62,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2011 Ford F-350 SD: 15
The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up. If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles may detect an incorrect Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor (EGT) fault indicating that the vehicle is too hot, causing the engine management system to shut down the engine and prevent its immediate restart. Engine shut down and a subsequent cool down period may delay medical treatment or assistance to those needing it, increasing their risk of injury.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners and dealers to inspect the Muncie PTO pressure switch to determine if it is from the range of defective switches and if required, remove the pressure switch assembly and put a plug in the port where the PTO switch had been installed. This switch was never being utilized. The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
Due to an exhaust sensor problem, the vehicles may experience loss of power followed by an engine stall. An unexpected engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, if this were to occur when the ambulance is transporting a patient, there is an increased risk of injury to the patient.
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: 159
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2011 Ford F-350 SD. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Certain 2011-2012 Model Year F-Series Super Duty Vehicles Equipped with a 6.7L Diesel Engine State Inspection and Maintenance Test Failure Due to DTCs P2073…
Some 2011-2022 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine may exhibit a ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change
Certain 2011-2014 Model Year Super Duty Vehicles Equipped with a 6.7L Diesel Engine Exhaust Gas Recirculation Cooler with Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0401 and/or…
Some 2011 2014 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engine may experience an exhaust leak due to broken exhaust manifold studs
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown
Neighbouring years
2010 F-350 SD: 52 complaints, keep it · 2012 F-350 SD: 183 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Ford F-350 SD 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-350 SD 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 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 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-350 SD a bad year?
186 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 43, 4.3× a quiet F-350 SD year. At 62,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 4.3× the complaints of a quiet F-350 SD year, spread over 37k–109k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford F-350 SD?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (66), suspension (54), engine (43), fuel system (27), electrical system (15). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 37k–109k miles.
How many recalls does the 2011 Ford F-350 SD have?
15 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 20E090000), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 15V-175), Equipment (NHTSA 14V-507), Equipment (NHTSA 14V-498) 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.