FORD: VARIOUS MISFIRE SYSTEMS FROM TURBOCHARGE DIRECT INJECTION (GTDI)ENGINES HAVE STORED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) IN POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Ford F-150 fuel system problems
moderate 36 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
36
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 36 fuel system complaints filed for the 2011 Ford F-150, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 36 fuel system complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 15 model years of Ford F-150 in our records for fuel system problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
2011-2014 F-150 HAS RAW FUEL SMELL FROM THE ENGINE OIL/OIL LEVEL OVERFILL.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 F-150 EcoBoost (primarily 3.5L and V6) exhibits a chronic misfire and power-loss pattern triggered by heavy acceleration—especially during passing, merging, or climbs. Symptoms include severe shuddering, complete power loss (slowing from 60 mph to 25 mph), rough idle, and flashing check engine light (limp mode). The problem is worse in rain, humidity, high air temperature, and under load (towing, AC on, uphills); some owners report 10+ incidents over years of ownership. Dealers have replaced coil packs, spark plugs, throttle bodies, fuel pumps, and applied TSB 13-81 (intercooler cover and PCM reflash), yet owners say the fix is temporary or ineffective. One dealership acknowledged the issue as "known" with no permanent solution.
A separate and critical problem surfaces below 1/4 tank: fuel sloshes away from the pickup during braking or turning, engine seizes, power steering fails, and the vehicle loses control. Ford confirmed this is a known defect in all 2011 F-150s and offers no correction—only the workaround of maintaining 1/4- to 1/2-tank minimum. Owners also report throttle-control failures (unresponsive or wide-open acceleration), engine shutdowns that require extended computer reboots, and fuel odor in the cab. A fuel line rubbing through the undercarriage was documented at 112k miles. Multiple owners cite passing attempts that nearly caused collisions when power vanished mid-maneuver.
Same Ford F-150 fuel system reports on nearby years: 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Misfire and Power Loss During Heavy Acceleration / Passing
Engine loses power, misfires, and shudders severely when driver attempts to accelerate hard to pass traffic or merge on highway. Symptoms often occur under load (uphill, high air temperature, AC on, towing). Check engine light typically flashes. Vehicle enters limp mode and resumes normal operation after reducing throttle demand or turning engine off/on. Owners report this happens repeatedly across multiple conditions and is worse in wet/humid conditions.
When: Mostly during acceleration to pass or merge; can occur between 40–75 mph, especially under engine load (uphill, towing, high temps, AC on). Some owners first notice at 68k–112k miles; others within first year. Incidents reported from 2012 through 2014.
Symptoms owners cite: Severe engine shuddering and vibration when accelerating; Sudden power loss (vehicle slows 25 mph or more); Engine misfire and rough running; Check engine light flashing (limp mode); Loss of throttle response; need to feather accelerator to maintain control; Rough idle; Symptoms worse in damp, humid, or rainy conditions and at high ambient temperatures
Codes mentioned: P2112 (throttle body), Misfire codes on cylinders 1, 2, 4, Flashing check engine light (limp mode indicator)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealers have replaced coil packs, spark plugs, throttle body and motor assembly, reflashed PCM, replaced high-pressure fuel pump, installed intercooler cover, and performed TSB 13-81 repairs. Despite repairs, problem often recurs within weeks or months. One owner reported dealer recommended keeping fuel tank at least 1/4 to 1/2 full as workaround.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 13-81) and intercooler cover upgrade. Owner in narrative #14 notes dealership staff confirmed it is a known issue with no permanent fix. Narrative #9 states TSB issued but not communicated to owners and warranty not applied. Narrative #8 mentions TSB issued but failed to provide permanent solution. Narrative #1 references Ford rep visit and multiple fixes that did not resolve problem.
Fuel Sloshing in Tank Causing Engine Stall and Loss of Power Steering
When fuel level drops below approximately 1/4 tank, fuel sloshes away from fuel pickup during acceleration, braking, or cornering maneuvers. Engine seizes, power steering shuts off, and vehicle loses control. Occurs on nose-down grades and during hard braking/turning. Ford acknowledged this as a known safety concern with no correction available.
When: At fuel levels below 1/4 tank (approximately 5.3 gallons or less in a 26-gallon tank). Multiple incidents reported at 600, 1600, 2100, 2500, 2800, and 3000 miles. Early and ongoing throughout ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine seizes when fuel sloshes away from pickup; Loss of power steering; Loss of vehicle control; Occurs during braking to turn, nose-down grades, and hard acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: No correction available. Ford service manager advised owner to always maintain fuel level above 1/4 tank (preferably 1/2 tank) as safety workaround. Fuel level indicator unreliable below 1/4 tank.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford acknowledged this as a known safety concern affecting all 2011 F-150s and advised owners to keep fuel tank above 1/4 tank. No TSB or recall issued.
Throttle Control Failure / Unintended Acceleration
Accelerator does not respond when depressed, or conversely, vehicle accelerates uncontrollably at wide-open throttle despite brake pedal applied. One owner reported truck crashed into house after uncontrolled acceleration; braking had no effect. Another owner experienced complete loss of throttle response while on highway at 45–75 mph, coasting to shoulder multiple times.
When: At various speeds (45–75 mph). One incident during initial driveway operation. Others during highway driving. Occurred multiple times for same owner.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden lack of throttle response; accelerator unresponsive; Uncontrolled wide-open throttle despite brake application; Rough idle when throttle unresponsive; Vehicle must be turned off to reset system; can take minutes to hours to reboot
Codes mentioned: P2112 (throttle body)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer in narrative #7 performed throttle body and motor assembly replacement after reading P2112 code. Event data recorder confirmed service brake applied while acceleration continued, suggesting electronic rather than mechanical pedal issue. OEM floor mats ruled out as cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #3 owner's diagnostic specialist noted event data showed simultaneous brake application and acceleration, inconsistent with driver input. Dealership unable to duplicate problem or offer solution. Ford customer care directed towing to dealer but no resolution provided.
Engine Shutdown Under Load / Sudden Stall During Acceleration
Engine shuts down, sputters, or starves for fuel abruptly during acceleration, particularly when passing or merging. Vehicle loses all power. Owner must turn engine off, wait several minutes to hours for computer to reboot, then restart. High-pressure fuel pump replacement did not resolve issue.
When: During acceleration on highway and local roads; can occur without warning after hours of normal operation. One owner experienced stall at 600 miles; subsequent incidents at 1600, 2100, 2500, 2800, 3000 miles and beyond. Recurs despite repairs.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine sputtering and shutdown; Complete loss of engine power; Feels like running out of fuel; Check engine light on; System requires extended reboot time (minutes to over an hour) before restart
Codes mentioned: High-pressure fuel pump failure code (one instance)
Repairs/costs cited: High-pressure fuel pump replaced; problem recurred three days later identically. Dealer advised turning engine off, removing key, waiting several minutes, then restarting as temporary fix. One owner had to wait over an hour for computer reboot in remote location.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer replaced high-pressure fuel pump but issue recurred. Ford denied similar complaints to owner, claiming no widespread issue despite numerous NHTSA complaints. No TSB or recall identified in narrative.
Spark Plug Fouling / Premature Wear
Spark plugs wear prematurely or foul, causing misfire, power loss, and check engine light. Owners report replacements at low mileage (around 68k miles reported in one case). Replacement temporarily solves problem but symptoms return within months.
When: 68,382 miles on one truck; problem recurred by June–August after February replacement. Another owner replaced spark plugs; symptoms returned within months.
Symptoms owners cite: Misfire on one or more cylinders; Severe engine vibration under load (uphill, high temp, AC on); Power loss and reduced throttle response; Check engine light flashing
Codes mentioned: Misfire code on cylinder 1 (narrative #4)
Repairs/costs cited: All six spark plugs replaced at Yucca Valley Ford at 68,382 miles. Truck ran fine until approximately June 2014, when symptoms returned. Suggests underlying cause not addressed by plug replacement alone.
Fuel Line Rubbing / Puncture Damage
Fuel line rubs against undercarriage and develops puncture hole, causing fuel odor in cab. Owner reported independent mechanic identified rubbing fuel line as source.
When: At approximately 112,000 miles (when problem was identified).
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal fuel odor in cab; No warning lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel line rubbing and puncture hole identified by independent mechanic. Vehicle not repaired by owner. Manufacturer provided case number when contacted but no details given.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer provided case number; no further action documented.
Persistent Fuel Odor in Cab
Constant gasoline smell inside cab of truck, noticed from early ownership. Smell present with heat off and vents closed. No warning lights. Owner inquired about possible recall.
When: First noticed December 2011 during road trip; ongoing issue noted. Another owner reports similar issue as ongoing throughout ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Strong gasoline odor in cab at all times; Odor present even with heat off and vents closed; No warning lights illuminated
Synthesized from 36 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Returning home from a weekend camping trip with my family and pulling a travel trailer via I-81 in va, I depressed the accelerator approaching a long hill, and abruptly lost all engine and drive power, the engine shuddered violently, the transmission downshifted to lower gear and the check engine light flashed a few times. We had absolutely no power and I thought the engine was going to shut…
Had fuel system trouble with your 2011 Ford F-150?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the fuel system problem on the 2011 Ford F-150?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 36 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 32 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 20,000 and 53,179 miles, with the median around 39,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 53,179. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Ford/F-150.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.