Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IWE). To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure to remove and cap the vacuum supply line or to reprogram the transfer case control module (TCCM) and replace any worn vacuum and/or IWE components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Ford F-150 powertrain problems
moderate 755 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
755
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
5crashes
2fires
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 755 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 Ford F-150, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
Powertrain accounts for 35% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 755 powertrain 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped with A 6R80 Transmission Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage In some of the affected vehicles, an output shaft speed (OSS) sensor failure may result in an illuminated malfunction indicator light (MIL) and/or wrench light in the instrument cluster with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0720, P0722, P0731 and/or P1500 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01: Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped With A 6R80 Transmission - Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage
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 has a serious and recurring transmission defect. Owners report sudden, unintended downshifts from highway speeds (55–70 mph) into first gear without warning, causing abrupt deceleration, wheel lock-up, and loss of control. A wrench light appears on the dashboard, the speedometer and odometer blank out, and the vehicle enters limp mode. This has happened to owners at critical moments—merging into traffic, passing on the interstate—creating collision hazards.
The transmission also exhibits hard or delayed shifting, refuses to shift out of certain gears, and skips gears unpredictably. Gear indicator lights disappear from the dash, leaving drivers uncertain which gear they're actually in—a serious safety gap. The transmission range sensor (TRS) is the culprit in many cases, tied to a molded lead frame component that fails intermittently.
Ford issued recall 19S07 (PCM software update) starting in 2019, but owners report this "fix" does not work and sometimes causes new failures. The real solution is replacing the molded lead frame—a $1,000–$1,500 repair—which Ford covers under extended warranty (program 19N01) only up to 150,000 miles or 10 years. Owners hit the age or mileage limit and are denied coverage, even though the defect was present all along.
The 3.5L EcoBoost engine compounds the problem. It loses all power during acceleration on wet roads or in cold weather, bucks and shudders, or enters limp mode. Spark plugs, coil packs, and intercooler issues are common; dealers acknowledge the problem exists but state no fix is available.
Many owners had the vehicle in a recall appointment and the dealer failed to perform the recall work, or did the PCM update but never addressed the lead frame. Costs to fix range from $700 to $7,000, and owners are left footing the bill if they exceed the warranty window—a window that may have already closed when the problem surfaced.
Same Ford F-150 powertrain reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Unexpected downshift to first gear at highway speeds
Transmission suddenly downshifts from higher gears (5th, 6th) to first gear without driver input, causing abrupt deceleration and potential loss of vehicle control. Rear tires may lock up or slide. Often accompanied by wrench light and loss of gauges.
When: Intermittent, occurs at highway speeds (55-70 mph) and occasionally at lower speeds; some owners report after recall repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden downshift to first gear; Abrupt deceleration; Rear tires lock or slide; Wrench light on dashboard; Speedometer and odometer display dashes or go blank; Vehicle enters limp mode
Codes mentioned: P0720, P0722, P0705
Repairs/costs cited: PCM software update (recall 19S07) attempted but ineffective; molded lead frame replacement ($1,000–$1,526 reported by owners) is stated root cause but may not be covered under warranty if mileage exceeds 150,000 or 10 years elapsed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19S07 (software update to PCM); Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01 (molded lead frame replacement up to 150,000 miles or 10 years); some owners excluded due to manufacturing date/plant or mileage limits
Hard or delayed shifts and erratic transmission behavior
Transmission exhibits hard shifting between gears, delayed engagement, or unpredictable gear changes. May involve skipping gears or refusing to shift out of a gear. Occurs during acceleration, deceleration, and gear selection.
When: Intermittent; reported at low speeds (parking lots, start/stop), during passing/merging, and on cold starts
Symptoms owners cite: Hard or harsh shifting; Delayed gear engagement; Transmission stays in one gear and won't shift; Skipping gears (e.g., 1st to 5th, 6th to 2nd); Wrench light or check engine light; Loud clunking or jarring noise
Codes mentioned: P0763, P0764, P0979
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission service, software update, solenoid replacement, and transmission rebuild or replacement reported ($7,000+ in some cases); some dealers report transmission internal damage from excessive downshifting
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: PCM reprogramming attempted; extended warranty coverage denied if mileage exceeds limits; Field Service Action 15N05 has 10-year/150,000-mile cap
Transmission range sensor malfunction and gear indicator failures
Gear selector indicator light disappears from dash or fails to illuminate when shifter is moved, leaving driver uncertain of actual gear position. Transmission range sensor (TRS) circuit failure prevents proper gear sensing and engagement.
When: Intermittent; occurs with shift lever movement, may persist until vehicle is restarted
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter indicator light disappears from dash; Reverse or drive lights fail to illuminate; Transmission does not respond to shift command; Wrench light on dashboard; Delayed or sudden gear engagement after pause
Codes mentioned: P0705
Repairs/costs cited: Molded lead frame replacement ($470–$1,000+); some owners report the part is on national backorder with long lead times
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty program 16N02 (molded lead frame) up to 150,000 miles or 10 years; denial if mileage or age exceeded at time of repair request
Transmission stalling or loss of power during acceleration and merging
Vehicle loses power, stalls, or refuses to accelerate when attempting to merge, pass, or accelerate from a stop. Engine may rev high (5K–7K RPM) with no forward motion or throttle response. Often associated with EcoBoost engine issues.
When: During acceleration events: highway merging, passing, launching from stop, turning across traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power during acceleration; Engine stall or hesitation; High RPM with no acceleration; Vehicle shakes or shudders; Wheels spin or vehicle bucking; Check engine light
Codes mentioned: P0722, Camshaft sensor codes
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plug replacement, coil pack replacement, intercooler shield installation, and transmission control module updates reported; some repairs do not resolve issue; costs $700+ reported by owners with extended warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some repairs covered under extended warranty; no formal recall for EcoBoost loss-of-power issue; dealers acknowledge problem exists but state no manufacturer fix available
Park/neutral position control and inadvertent vehicle movement
Vehicle rolls or moves when parked in park position with engine off, or fails to stay in park when key is removed. Transmission may not properly lock in park. Vehicle may roll down driveway or downhill without driver input.
When: When parked on slope with key removed or in accessory position; vehicle left unattended
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls while in park and engine off; Transmission does not engage park lock; Audible clicking or grinding noise while rolling; No warning lights or error codes present
Repairs/costs cited: Manufacturer investigation inconclusive; no repairs performed; owners report vehicle rolled down driveway and across street, stopped only by tree; dealer claimed no mechanical defect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Investigation by FOMOCO and specialist conducted; manufacturer claimed no mechanical defaults found and refused to take responsibility
Post-recall software update causing new transmission issues
After PCM software update (recall 19S07 or 19S19), vehicle develops new or worsened transmission problems: hard shifting, limp mode, lead frame failures, or continued downshift issues. Software fix does not resolve root cause and may trigger additional failures.
When: Immediately after or within days/weeks of recall PCM reprogramming service
Symptoms owners cite: Hard shifting from first to second gear; Vehicle enters limp mode without apparent cause; Transmission lead frame failure after software update; Continued unintended downshifts despite update; Wrench light and limp mode operation
Codes mentioned: P0722
Repairs/costs cited: Molded lead frame replacement ($1,000–$1,526) required; dealers acknowledge software update alone insufficient and that lead frame is actual defect; some vehicles show corrupt flash requiring re-flash
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19S07 PCM software update; Field Service Action 19N01 (molded lead frame replacement) issued later; owners report warranty denial due to mileage cap (150,000 miles) or vehicle age (10 years) exceeded at time of service
EcoBoost engine power loss and limp mode during wet or cold conditions
3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo engine loses power, stalls, or enters limp mode under acceleration in wet, cold, or varying temperatures. Symptoms include condensation in intercooler causing misfire, or overheating issues. Vehicle may buck, shudder, or refuse to accelerate.
When: During acceleration in wet weather (light rain, 45–75°F), cold starts, or after prolonged idling
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of all engine power during acceleration; Engine stall, bucking, shuddering; Vehicle operates on fewer cylinders (limp mode); Turbo lag or delayed response; Check engine light or no warning lights
Codes mentioned: P0300
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plug replacement (overheated/cracked), coil pack replacement, intercooler shield installation ($700+ reported); repairs do not always resolve issue; Ford service technicians state no fixes available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No formal recall issued; dealers acknowledge problem is known to Ford but state no available fix; extended warranty may cover some repairs
Synthesized from 755 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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 to an independent mechanic where the transmission range sensor and transmission fluid were added, including a new…
The most recent incident resulted in transmission having a harsh downshift to first gear causing vehicle to jerk and engine revs up. This has happened several times in the past including a few days before taking it in for the recall repair in 2019. ( recall 19v -075). This problem, according to Ford, is due to intermittent failure of the output speed sensor ( part of the molded leadframe in the…
Transmission is getting stuck in 1st gear. The speedometer is not working when this happens. The vehicle is not showing any mechanical problem lights on the dash. The truck s a supercab lariat limited 6 speed 4x4, AWD. It is not showing up on the recall list vehicle has almost 90,000 miles
When accelerating the vehicle transmission slips into a lower gear, downshifting improperly causing a bump in the ride and a danger in clean acceleration. This issue occurred multiple times and is a contributing power train issue.
I got a recall letter. Recall #19s07. I took my truck to Ford dealership, they reprogrammed the module for the powertrain on 6/19. My extended warranty ran out 11/30/19. On 12/21/19 I was driving on the highway and I had my cruise set at 67 MPH. All of a sudden my gauges stopped working and had a tool show up on dash. Then my tires started sliding and it downshifted. I almost hit another car. I…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2011 Ford F-150?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 755 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 583 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 60,600 and 141,000 miles, with the median around 98,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,600; a quarter make it past 141,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.