2011 Ford F-150 recalls and problems

6 recalls and 2,193 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Ford F-150.

6
recalls
2,193
owner complaints
46
complaints mentioning a crash
19
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2011 Ford F-150 recalls

Power train: automatic transmission, control module (tcm/PCM/tecm) · Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 19V075000 · reported February 11, 2019 · Ford Motor Company · 1,263,051 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
The risk
Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S07.

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 16V248000 · reported April 27, 2016 · Ford Motor Company · 153,581 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
The 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 of a crash.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.

Exterior lighting: back up lights · Power train: automatic transmission, control module (tcm/PCM/tecm)

NHTSA campaign 12V190000 · reported May 3, 2012 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 10,500 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 ford f-150, 2012 expedition and lincoln navigator, and 2012-2013 mustang vehicles, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard nos. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" and 108 “lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.” these vehicles may have a transmission range sensor (trs) that was calibrated out of specification for reverse gear.
The 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 vehicle’s transmission does go in reverse, the “r” may not illuminate on the dashboard of the f-150, expedition, or navigator models and/or the backup lamp on the rear of the f-150, expedition, navigator, or mustang vehicles may not illuminate. These conditions increase the risk of a crash or a pedestrian being struck due to the vehicle’s not signaling it is in reverse.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the trs as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on june 11, 2012. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 11V582000 · reported December 8, 2011 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 16,091 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 f-150 vehicles manufactured from september 9, 2011, through september 22, 2011, and model year 2012 f-250, f-350, f-450 and f-550 heavy duty vehicles manufactured from september 12, 2011, through september 22, 2011. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 114, “theft protection.” the transmission can be shifted out of the park position without pressing the brake pedal due to brake shift interlock switch problem.
The 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 a nearby pedestrian.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake shift interlock switch function and replace the switch if necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on december 22, 2011. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Electrical system: software

NHTSA campaign 11V128000 · reported February 24, 2011 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 8,022 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 ford f-150, f-250, f-350, f-450, f-550, edge, and lincoln mkx trucks manufactured from october 25, 2010, through november 20, 2010. 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. The custom software routine was not reading the correct set of characters, and was not able to identify a BCM that required replacement affected bcms may have the potential for an internal short.
The risk
If an electrical short develops, an overheating condition may occur which could result in a vehicle fire.
The fix
Dealer will inspect the body control module and if necessary replace it free of charge. The safety recall began on march 7, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Structure: body

NHTSA campaign 10V659000 · reported December 29, 2010 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 14,737 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 f-150, f-250, f-350, f-450, f-550, edge and lincoln mkx vehicles. During a six-day production period, the supplier of the body control module manufactured modules that may have the potential for an internal short.
The risk
If an electrical short develops, an overheating condition may occur which can result in an unattended vehicle fire.
The fix
Dealer will replace the body control module if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on january 11, 2011. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 19, 2026 · Power train · 225,000 miles

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. A diagnostic…

Oct 16, 2026 · Power train · 165,000 miles

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the transmission erroneously downshifted, causing the vehicle to abruptly reduce speed. The contact indicated during the incident that the transmission shifter switched from Drive (D) to the first gear independently. The…

Oct 2, 2026 · Power train

My truck will just abruptly downshift no matter how fast im going and it's quite concerning

Sep 25, 2026 · Electrical system · fire reported

I was parking the vehicle and turned off the engine when the speakers gave out a loud noise. I turned the truck on to see if it would continue but there was no music and smoke began coming out around the radio. I moved the truck away from building and retrieved the fire extinguisher from the back seat. I noticed the…

Sep 20, 2026 · Power train · crash reported

I bought this truck used about one year ago. Since then I have not had much time to use it. In the last three months I have had some time to drive it. Three times in those months this issue has occurred. Luckily they all occurred on my property and no damage happened except to the truck. First time it happened an…

F-150 model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2008 13693912
2009 2324288
2010 18432335
2011 62,1934619
2012 41,7844014
2013 32,9927835
2014 81,5383916

Across all years, the 2013 F-150 has the most complaints (2,992). All Ford F-150 years →

Questions

Does the 2011 Ford F-150 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2011 Ford F-150, the most recent reported on February 11, 2019 (Power train: automatic transmission, control module (tcm/PCM/tecm), Power train: automatic transmission). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford F-150?
Owners have filed 2,193 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (828 complaints), followed by engine (482).
How many 2011 Ford F-150 complaints mention a crash or fire?
46 of 2,193 complaints report a crash and 19 a fire; 35 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 19, 2026.