2011 Ford E-150 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Ford E-150, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering517.2%
- Powertrain (other)413.8%
- Engine413.8%
- Electrical310.3%
- Brakes310.3%
- Fuel system310.3%
- Suspension26.9%
- Transmission13.4%
- Driver assistance13.4%
- Other / unspecified13.4%
- Tires & wheels13.4%
- Body & structure13.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD E-150. WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE AT 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD E-150. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE AND DECREASED IN SPEED WHILE TURNING. THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION ELECTRONIC ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 217,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTS INTO 1ST AND JUMPS A LITTLE WHEN IN MOTION. USUALLY HAPPENS AT SPEEDS UNDER 20 MPH
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!!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
2011 E-150 ECONOLINE. CONSUMER SEEKING ARBITRATION FOR VEHICLE. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK. THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD LOCK UP, THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS LEAKING FLUID, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
ODOMETER READ 136,707 ON 5-12-17 / 2-19-19 READ 136,708 DEALER WOULD NOT EXPLAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD E-150. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE AND DECREASED IN SPEED WHILE TURNING. THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION ELECTRONIC ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 217,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
I HAVE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER BOTH ON CITY STREETS AND INTERSTATES. NEARLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY ON THE MASS PIKE IN BOSTON. IF THE VEHICLE IS PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THAT SEEMS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE FOR A WHILE. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THIS VEHICLE, A 2011 E-150 FORD VAN WAGON. STEERING BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE STARTING AT 50 MPH AND BECOMES PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS SPEED INCREASES TO 75 MPH. THE 2 PRIOR INCIDENCES REFERENCED ABOVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 50-75 MPH. ANY SLIGHT ADJUSTMENTS BY DRIVER, ESPECIALLY AT 70 MPH, CREATES SWAY CONDUCIVE TO ROLLOVER. IT SEEMS AS IF THE "POWER ASSIST" INTERFERES WITH DRIVER'S CONTROL OF STEERING WHEEL. AT HIGHER SPEEDS, OVER-STEER IS CREATED AND WHEN THE DRIVER MAKES A CORRECTION, A SWAYING EFFECT IS CREATED. AS SPEED INCREASES, THE POWER ASSIST FUNCTION IS SUPPOSED TO DIMINISH, GIVING DRIVER FULL CONTROL. TECHNICIANS AT DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED ABOVE SYMPTOMS AND STATED AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM BECAUSE ALIGNMENT WAS ACCORDING TO SPECS. THEREAFTER WHAT IS DESCRIBED OCCURRED EVERY TIME IN THE RANGE BETWEEN 55-75 MPH. STEERING AND HANDLING IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SWAY BAR IS UNDERSIZED WHICH TENDS TO SHIFT TO THE RIGHT CAUSING METAL TO METAL CONTACT. SWAY BARS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO SHIFT, THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO REMAIN IN PLACE. UPDATED 08/05/11 THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SHOCK ABSORBER BUSHING WAS CRACKED. UPDATED 08/24/11 THE SUSPENSION IS INADEQUATE AND THE BODY TOP ON TOP OF THE WHEEL FRAME MOVES WHEREAS THE BODY TRACKS. WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE SUSPENSION CAN NOT HANDLE THE WIND RESISTANCE OF ANY CROSS WIND AT ALL. THE BODY OF THE VAN SHIFTS. UPDATED 09/08/11.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO A BODY ROLL ISSUE. UPDATED 09/13/11.*JB UPDATED 09/20/11.*JB UPDATED 09/27/11.*JB UPDATED 10/03/11. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED A RE-CERTIFIED ASE MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE WITH HIM AND THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT THE METAL TO METAL CONTACT BETWEEN THE SWAY BAR AND THE FRAME BRACKET WAS THE RESULT OF THE SWAY BAR SHIFTING FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE LAST SHIFT MOVEMENT WAS SO STRONG, THAT THE BAR REMAINED SKEWED, JAMMED AND LOCKED UP. THE TOP OF EACH LINK WAS SEVERELY ANGLED TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. UPDATED 11/17/11
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
2011 E-150 ECONOLINE. CONSUMER SEEKING ARBITRATION FOR VEHICLE. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK. THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD LOCK UP, THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS LEAKING FLUID, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A F150 2011 3.5L ECO BOOST MOTOR THAT FAILED TO ACCELERATE AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS AT A REST STOP. I WAS NEAR CHICAGO ON INTERSTATE 80/90 I TRIED TO PULL OUT USING THE ACCELERATION RAMP TRAFFIC WAS EXTREMELY HEAVY SO NEEDED TO USE THE ECO BOOST POWER WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO SHUTTER AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT KEEP FLASHING ON THEN OFF. I HAD MY WIFE WITH ME AND WE HAD TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE THE MOTOR LOST POWER. I COULD NOT GET ONTO THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC. THERE WAS A LOT OF SEMI-TRUCK ON THE ROAD THAT DAY AND THIS ALMOST ENDED UP IN A COLLISION. I HAD BEEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN FOR ABOUT 1.5 HOURS BEFORE PULLING INTO THE SERVICE AREA. I CALL MY LOCAL FORD DEALER THEY SAID THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF REPORTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I ASK IF FORD HAS A RECALL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY SAID FORD HAS NO RECALLS. I CALL FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AFTER THAT AND THEY SAID THEY WILL OPEN A CASE STUDY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT AS OF NOW THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I EVEN TOLD THEM THIS WAS A HIGH LIABILITY PROBLEM AND WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE TO GET KILLED BEFORE FORD FIXES THE PROBLEM. I CAN'T BELIEVE WITH ALL THE PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING AND THIS IS A 2011 TUCK THEY CAN'T RESOLVE THE PROBLEM SENSE WE ARE GETTING READY TO GO INTO 2014.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE A VAN THAT HAS MICHELIN TIRES (225/75 R16). THE VEHICLE HAD 37000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST INCIDENT AND THE TIRE BEGAN TO SHOW SEPARATION ON 6/2/2013 AT 3 PM. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AT A CERTIFIED TIRE BUSINESS. THE OPPOSITE REAR TIRE BEGAN TO SEPARATE ON THE SUBSEQUENT TRIP AS WE TRAVELED TO HOUSTON ON 6/6/2013. WE WERE TRAVELING AROUND 60 MILES PER HOUR AND AGAIN THE TIRE SHOWED SIGNS OF SEPARATION. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE A VAN THAT HAS MICHELIN TIRES (225/75 R16). THE VEHICLE HAD 37000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST INCIDENT AND THE TIRE BEGAN TO SHOW SEPARATION ON 6/2/2013 AT 3 PM. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AT A CERTIFIED TIRE BUSINESS. THE OPPOSITE REAR TIRE BEGAN TO SEPARATE ON THE SUBSEQUENT TRIP AS WE TRAVELED TO HOUSTON ON 6/6/2013. WE WERE TRAVELING AROUND 60 MILES PER HOUR AND AGAIN THE TIRE SHOWED SIGNS OF SEPARATION. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
FORD DOOR LATCH RECALLS - OUR FORD F150 ECO BOOST (YEAR 2011) HAS A DOOR LATCH PAWL SPRING THAT IS DEFECTED. ONE OF MY KIDS RECENTLY WAS INJURED WHEN THE SPRING BROKE ON THEM WHEN TRYING TO SHUT THE DOOR CLOSE ON THE GAS STATION (VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY BUT TURNED ON) WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING PASSENGER FRONT DOOR WAS OPEN, SHE WAS HAVING TROUBLE OPENING THE DOOR TO HAVE IT SHUT, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SPRING BROKE CAUSING DOOR HANDLE TO CRACK AND BREAK ON HER. SHE WAS CUT BY THE DOOR HANDLE UPON THE IMPACT OF THE SPRING RELEASING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .