RoadVitals

2011 Ford E-150

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Dec 10, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
13
Latest Nov 4, 2015
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Ford E-150, most frequently naming the steering, powertrain (other) and engine categories. 13 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 26 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering517.2%
  • Powertrain (other)413.8%
  • Engine413.8%
  • Electrical310.3%
  • Brakes310.3%
  • Fuel system310.3%
  • Suspension26.9%
  • Transmission13.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

13 campaigns cover this model year

View all 13

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
15V729000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Nov 4, 2015
667 units potentially affected
The defect: MobilityWorks (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vans modified by MobilityWorks to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
The risk: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
The remedy: MobilityWorks will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact MobilityWorks customer service at 1-800-769-8267, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. Note: These vehicles and wheelchair lifts were subject to a similar recall in 2014. All vehicles that received that recall remedy are still affected by this recall as well.
Mobility Works (WMK Inc.)Manufacturer number 15E-068View on NHTSA.gov
14V706000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Nov 5, 2014
34 units potentially affected
The defect: Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
The risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
The remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
Cummings Mobility Conversion & SupplyManufacturer number 14E-041View on NHTSA.gov
14V641000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Oct 10, 2014
834 units potentially affected
The defect: Mobility Works (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E150, E250, and E350 vans modified by Mobility Works to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
The risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
The remedy: Mobility Works will notify owners, and Ricon will supply supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2014. Owners may contact Mobility Works customer service at 1-800-769-8267 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.
Mobility Works (WMK Inc.)View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 23
Engine
Filed Dec 10, 2020

WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED IN THE MORNINGS YOU CAN HEAR A KNOCKING SOUND WHICH SEEMS TO SUBSIDE AS THE ENGINE IS WARMING. I'VE BEEN WATCHING THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE ABOUT THE CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES THIS WILL EVENTUALLY OCCUR IF THE CAUSE IS NOT DISCOVERED AND REPAIRED. PLEASE REFER TO YOUTUBE VIDEOS FORDTECHMAKEULOCO SEE THE 2004-2015 TITLED FORD F-150/E-150 LOWER BALLJOINT REPLACEMENT AND HOW A FAILED $4.00 PART TURNED INTO A $7,000 MOTOR REPAIR. OIL PUMPS ALSO. HAPPENS IN THE DRIVEWAY IDLING . FORD DEALER WANTED $125. TO DIAGNOSE THIS MORNING THURSDAY 12/10/2020.

NHTSA ID
11382912
Incident
Sep 6, 2019
Mileage
56 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 10, 2020

PREMATURE LOWER BALLJOINT FAILURE. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. WHILE DRIVING FORWARD OR REVERSE AND TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT OR WHEN BRAKING YOU WOULD HEAR POPPING AND TIRE RUBBING SOMETHING UNDERNEATH. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 55,000 MILES DISPLAYED ON THE ODOMETER. THIS OCCURRED AT WHEN VAN WAS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID
11382903
Incident
May 18, 2019
Mileage
55 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 27, 2019

VACUUM PUMP MAKING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP AND TURNING. MY MECHANIC SAID THERE IS RECALL ON 2011-2012 FORD F-150 AND I CALLED DEALER FROM WHICH I PURCHASED AND WAS TOLD NO RECALL ON MY TRUCK. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH BRAKES AND SHOULD BE COVERED IN EXTENDED WARRANTY

NHTSA ID
11222863
Incident
May 1, 2019
Mileage
160,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 29, 2019

ODOMETER READ 136,707 ON 5-12-17 / 2-19-19 READ 136,708 DEALER WOULD NOT EXPLAIN

NHTSA ID
11204625
Incident
Apr 29, 2019
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 15, 2019

TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTS INTO 1ST AND JUMPS A LITTLE WHEN IN MOTION. USUALLY HAPPENS AT SPEEDS UNDER 20 MPH

NHTSA ID
11180262
Incident
Feb 15, 2019
Mileage
100,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 24, 2017

I STARTED GETTING A CHECK FUEL INLET WARNING OCCASIONALLY AND THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE WAS FAULTY AND WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AT THE COST OF $341. AS IT WERE MY 2010 FORD FUSION HAS THE VERY SAME PART BEING REPLACE AS PART OF A SAFETY RECALL. I NOTED THIS TO BOTH MY FORD DEALER AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT I AM STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. MY QUESTION IS WHY IT'S A SAFETY RECALL IN ONE INSTANCE BUT AN OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY IN ANOTHER.

NHTSA ID
11010235
Incident
Jul 24, 2017
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 20, 2017
Crash reported

AT ANY SPEED IT WILL SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. SPEEDOMETER WILL FLUCTUATE BETWEEN 0-65MPH. REAR WHEELS LOCK UP, AND YOU WILL LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. A COUPLE HOURS AGO, ON THE FREEWAY IT SHIRTED TO 1ST GEAR, LOCKED UP THE REAR END, AND THE CAR BEHIND ME CRASHED INTO CENTER DIVIDER TRYING TO AVOID ME. THIS LOCK UP HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES ON FREEWAY AND MANY TIMES ON STANDARD ROADWAY. I TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED A RE-FLASH OF THE COMPUTER, AND THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THAT WAS ON SATURDAY 2/18, AND IT JUST DID IT AGAIN MONDAY 2/20. I ENDED UP FACING THE WRONG WAY ON THE RAINY FREEWAY. IT IS NOW AT THE FORD DEALER AGAIN. THEY SAY IT COULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BUT ARE NOT SURE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!!! SOMEONE WILL LOOSE THEIR LIFE!!

NHTSA ID
10955638
Incident
Feb 20, 2017
Mileage
82,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 11, 2017

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE FIRST BRAKING ACTION DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AS EFFECTIVE AS SAY THE SECOND APPLICATION AS FAR AS BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP, WHEN IN MOTION. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER WHETHER IT'S ON THE STREET OR HIGHWAY OR TURNING. MARCH OF 2016 I HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP AND DIDN'T THINK I WOULD AVOID THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. HOWEVER A SEMI TRACTOR WITH TRAILER REAR ENDED ME CAUSING ABOUT $5,000.00 DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR OF THE E-150. BEFORE TAKING THE VEHICLE ON VACATION I REPORTED THE BRAKING ISSUE WITH THE ANDY MOHR FORD IN PLAINFIELD IN., THEY SAID THE BRAKES NEEDED BLED WITH A MACHINE AND THAT IF THAT DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE THEY WOULD BLEED THEM MANUALLY. I DIDN'T TAKE IT BACK BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE A CLUE AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE. I PAID FOR THE MACHINE BLEED, JUST AROUND $100.00. I KNEW FROM MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AS A MECHANIC, THAT BLEEDING THE SYSTEM WOULDN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOLID AND NOT SOFT OR MUSHY. ANYWAY, I ASKED AND RECEIVED A REFUND AND STILL THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THEY DID REPLACE THE LEFT REAR AXLE SEAL THAT I DISCOVERED WHILE PERFORMING MAINTENANCE BEFORE TAKING A TRIP TO FLORIDA. THE LEAKING AXLE SEAL HAD NO AFFECT WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPING AS THERE WAS NO LUBRICANT DRIPPING OR SLINGING ONTO THE ROTOR OR BRAKE CALIPER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERNS. THEY WOULD BLEED THE BRAKES MANUALLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10944226
Incident
Nov 15, 2015
Mileage
17,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM 54601

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k

SSM 52476

EQUIPMENT

All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer Key Code access is granted through the Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES); dealership management can authorize users. The authorized user must go to FMCDealer.com > Parts and Service > Parts Product Line Information > Keys/Entry Devices > Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Follow the instructions on the screen to obtain the master code for the accessory keypad.

SSM 48130

VISIBILITY; VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent. Hydrofluoric acid can attack the glass and cause visual distortion and/or discoloration on the outer surface which cannot be removed by further cleaning. If this type of distortion is found, inspect the area of the glass that is covered by the cowl and/or molding. The portion of glass that is covered by the cowl or molding will not be affected by the acid. Hydrofluoric acid damage is not a defect in material or workmanship and is not a warrantable condition.

SSM 47976

POWER TRAIN

On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was not applied from the factory. Also verify that the engine/transmission alignment dowel pins are present as well as the engine crankshaft dowel pin, if equipped, when installing the transmission. Failure to adequately lubricate the converter hub greatly increases the likelihood of the flexplate cracking in the future. Missing dowels may cause a misalignment issue also resulting in a premature failure. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01.

SSM 47201

EQUIPMENT

Replacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket SYNC/Navigation kit or modifying original SYNC/Navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicle. Only approved Genuine Ford accessories or originally installed systems are supported and certified to function correctly with other vehicle systems. If you suspect a system has been modified, the following resources can be used to verify original equipment: Monroney Label (Window Sticker), Professional Technician Society (PTS) OASIS tab  select SYNC or HVBOM. For Genuine Ford accessories use: PTS Workshop Tab  select Dealer Installed Accessory or Accessory Installation.

SSM 47009

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

The Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE). The master code for the Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can be retrieved from FMCDealer - Parts and Service - Parts Product Line Information - Keys/Entry Devices - Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Access to this site is granted through Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES) and Dealer Principal, General Manager or Parts and Service Director can authorize users. Once authorized the retrieval process for master code can be obtained. The master code for the Accessory Keyless Entry Keypad cannot be retrieved from the body control module(BCM) with a diagnostic tool.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford E-150 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023010—
2022000—
2021100—
2020000—
2019000—
2018000—
2016810—
2015810—
2014660—
2013196046.3
2012128052.9
2011Viewing2313045.9
2010109054.4
20097140—
20081118049.0
20071219041.6
20061716046.5
2005164050.1
2004337153.8
2003216159.5
2002283155.1
2001374150.7
2000506153.5
1999836158.0
1998605155.7
19971026155.3
1996593161.3
1995713259.2
19941217260.5
1993714158.3
1992644364.9
1991151454.2
1990173455.5
1989312361.7
1988140248.7
1987170152.7
1986904—
1985304—
1984324—
1983111—
1982321—
1981111—
1980031—
1979051—
1978041—
1976210—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.