Ford F-150 problems
2,137 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the brakes was repaired or replaced.
- 8 fire-related complaints and 4 crash-related complaints on the electrical system
- Brakes: 143 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 39,888–88,000 mi
- Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Power Assist Fault warning is displayed and the power steering stops working while driving causing a dangerous situation. Stopping the truck and turning off the ignition and restarting it clears it. This condition is becoming more frequent and harder to clear. The last…
While driving about 40 m per hour the steering wheel lock, couldn't turn left or right very dangerous and risky , almost hit a barrier, 3 years ago had to replace rack and pinion, replaced with original , now dec 2020 the mechanic told me is the rack and pinion again, I see too…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the gear shifter became stuck when the vehicle was in reverse. When the vehicle was turned off and restarted, it operated normally. Also, while driving at low speeds, the transmission slipped. The vehicle was taken…
Electronic brake vacum pump is loud when starting the truck, breaks are hard at start and fail when in reverse. Can hear the pump get loud at stops. This occurs every single time the struck is started and at idle. Them pump is loud for aprox 30 seconds to 1 minute on each…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2011 Ford F-150 reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 2,137 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Ford F-150 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2011 Ford F-150?
On the NHTSA data, the 2011 Ford F-150 is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the brakes was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 8 fire-related complaints and 4 crash-related complaints on the electrical system; Brakes: 143 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 39,888–88,000 mi; Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Ford F-150?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 755 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 102,089 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 102,089 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford F-150 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Ford F-150?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 2,137 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.