repaired · 2020 Q2
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
2011 Ford F-150Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 2,195 owner complaints about the 2011 Ford F-150, most often about the power train. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-075 the manufacturer reports only 60% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 2, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 Ford F-150 has problems
2,195 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
830Power train13 crash/fire/injury
482Engine12 crash/fire/injury
419Steering10 crash/fire/injury
235Electrical system20 crash/fire/injury
213Vehicle speed control13 crash/fire/injury
162Service brakes
91Visibility/wiper
75Fuel/propulsion system
56Visibility
29720 other systems25 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 830 | 13 |
| Engine | 482 | 12 |
| Steering | 419 | 10 |
| Electrical system | 235 | 20 |
| Vehicle speed control | 213 | 13 |
| Service brakes | 162 | 17 |
| Visibility/wiper | 91 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 75 | 0 |
| Visibility | 56 | 3 |
| 20 other systems | 297 | 25 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2011 Ford F-150 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. 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…
no report yet
Exterior lighting: back up lights
Risk. 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…
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. 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…
Show 2 more recalls
no report yet
Electrical system: software
Risk. IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DEVELOPS, AN OVERHEATING CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
no report yet
Structure: body
Risk. IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DEVELOPS, AN OVERHEATING CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE FIRE.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
97kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 631 power train complaints. 52% were reported before 100,000 miles.
92under 30k miles326under 100k miles305100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Steering
37 owners mentioned a cost$1,750median
Middle half: $1,500 – $2,000
Power train
29 owners mentioned a cost$1,000median
Middle half: $800 – $2,000
Engine
22 owners mentioned a cost$2,000median
Middle half: $463 – $4,175
Service brakes
21 owners mentioned a cost$597median
Middle half: $500 – $700
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2011 vs. every other F-150 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the F-150 median. How we score
01034232510152861911392242753044705866766263242,7581,3811,0441,0761,2368214232,0291,1125854883693248432,1951,7842,9941,5411,7532,0981,4692,3351,3507461,052608420197111140
'73'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2011 Ford F-150, and the recalls they led to.
- Brake Vacuum Pump FailureNo recall
- Reduced power during hard accelerationNo recall
- Brake Vacuum Pump FailureNo recall
- Unexpected Transmission DownshiftLed to recall 19V-075
In owners' words
What F-150 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to a lower gear. The failure was a recurring failure. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train); but the failure occurred. The dealer…
Ford issued a recall for the Lead frame. Recall ID 19so7 & 16s19. My truck has experienced the issues associated with this recall. Last night it was more severe. The truck shifted from 5th to 1st gear unexpectedly. I have already tried to remedy this with ford. I made the appointment on their…
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle experienced a slight loss of motive power, and the transmission failed to shift in synchronization with the engine. The check engine warning light and the service vehicle soon warning light illuminated.…
Own a 2011 F-150?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.