2011 Ford F-450

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this RQ to investigate allegations that the scope and remedy of safety recall 13V-535 were inadequate. Recall 13V-535 was limited to a relatively small population of Ambulance Package vehicles and ODI received complaints of pickup trucks and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles being affected by the same defect. Ford manufactured approximately 555,985 subject vehicles between February 22, 2010 and January 30, 2015 that may be affected by defective EGT sensors and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration. The subject vehicles are equipped with four (4) EGT sensors to monitor engine operating conditions. An EGT sensor fault may produce false exhaust over-temperature signals. If these signals are produced, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) implements a Failure Management Effects Mode (FMEM) and the driver receives a Stop Safely Now (SSN) system warning on the instrument cluster message center. The FMEM triggers a 70% reduction in available engine power over a period of no more than 45 seconds, during which it may not be possible to accelerate or maintain vehicle speed. The PCM then commands the engine to shut down when vehicle speed reaches approximately 1 mph. There is no immediate restart capability. Depending on the PCM software calibration, ignition key position and ambient temperature conditions, the engine may not restart until the end of a 10-60 minute cool down period.Ford and its component supplier(s) made numerous changes to the PCM software calibration and the design, material and manufacture of the EGT sensors over the period of subject vehicle production. This continuous product improvement affected vehicle performance regarding the alleged defect. Ford acknowledges the defect condition in the subject vehicles but argues that an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety is limited to Ambulance Package and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles where commanded shutdown could impact emergency response and patient care. Ford also argues that the defect trend is in decline. Ford also initiated a new safety recall (15V-175) to address the 13V-535 remedy concerns in the Ambulance Package vehicles and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles. The 15V-175 remedy reprograms the PCM with a new software calibration that stops a single EGT sensor fault to cause the vehicle to enter the FMEM shutdown mode.Ford also initiated an EPA emissions recall (14E03) for all subject vehicles that reprograms the PCM with the software calibration employed in safety recall 15V-175. Finally, Ford initiated a Customer Satisfaction Program (15M01) providing extended warranty coverage of 8 years or 80,000 miles for the the EGT sensors on certain MY2011-2012 subject vehicles.Due to the EPA emissions recall, that had a 66.6% completion rate in Ford's December 2015 progress report to the EPA, the defect trend is in decline. ODI is not aware of any crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleged defect.ODI believes the alleged defect poses a safety risk but notes that the EPA emissions recall is addressing the safety problem.Compelling issuance of a duplicate recall would not represent a wise use of agency resources.Accordingly, this Recall Query is closed.This action is not a finding that no defect exists and NHTSA will take further action if such action is warranted.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-450. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel started to shake abnormally. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while accelerating at high speeds, or while driving in inclement weather, the steering wheel started to shake uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to three different dealers where the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a different dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that unknown steering parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised each time to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

NHTSA ID

11499192

Incident

May 28, 2022

Mileage

54,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-450. WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE DEATH WOBBLE AND THE STEERING BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE STEERING PARTS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATEWAY FORD (1055 W. ANDREW JOHNSON HIGHWAY, GREENEVILLE, TN 37745, 423-639-5151) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11174744

Incident

Jul 1, 2018

Mileage

134,000 mi

BLOWN MOTOR. BAD LIFTERS AND VALVES. EXHAUST TEMPERATURE SENSOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NO WARRANTY, I HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE ENGINE AT MY COST OF $15,000

NHTSA ID

11081176

Incident

Nov 20, 2017

Mileage

55,000 mi

THIS VEHICLE IS SHUTTLE BUS, TRANSPORT PASSENGERS FROM CHICAGO O'HARE AIRPORT TO FOUR POINTS HOTELS AND BACK 24/7. THIS VEHICLE IS OWNED BY FOUR POINTS HOTEL AT SCHILLER PARK, IL AND I WORK AS DRIVER. ON NOVEMBER 20 2016 JUST AFTER 9 PM I WAS DRIVING THE BUS SOUTH BOUND ON MANNHEIM RD AND WHEN BREAKING TO STOP AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AT LAWRENCE AVE THE LEFT REAR END HIT THE GROUND AND THE BUS DRAGGED UNTIL REACH COMPLETE STOP. THE REAR OUTER TIER COME OFF ALONG THE (WAS FOUND QUARTER MILE NORTH) SMALL FIRE STARTED , EVACUATED PASSENGERS. ALL BOLTS SNAPPED OFF THE REAR LEFT WHEEL AND THE OUTER TIRE CAME OFF. THE BUS WAS TOUGHED TO M&M AUTOMOTIVE INC. (708 456 6629) M&M MAINTAIN THE HOTELS BUS. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE THE BUS STILL AT THE HOTEL AND CAN BE USED? BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN USED FOR WHILE

NHTSA ID

11032574

Incident

Nov 20, 2016

Mileage

479,996 mi

I HAVE RUNNING LIGHTS BUT NO TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE, OR FOUR WAY/EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON MY FIFTH WHEEL WHEN TOWING. THIS IS AT ANY TIME HOOKED UP TO THE TRUCK. OTHERWISE ON THE TRUCK ITSELF ALL LIGHTS WORK PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID

10995445

Incident

May 21, 2017

Mileage

87,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE ENGINE BLEW UP. FORD REPORTED THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY GLOW PLUG WHICH FELL INTO THE CYLINDER CAUSING THE CONNECTING ROD TO BREAK AND EXIT THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. FIRE ENSUED BUT WAS SHORT LIVED.

NHTSA ID

10972100

Incident

Apr 1, 2017

Mileage

68,120 mi

DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 75 M.P.H. (SPEED LIMIT 75) THE MOTOR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART., LUCKILY MADE IT TO SHOULDER AFTER DODGING TRAFFIC. AFTER TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP, FOUND OUT IT WAS MALFUNCTIONING EGT EXHAUST SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10677094

Incident

Jan 8, 2015

Mileage

79,072 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-450. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL WAS CONTAMINATED AND THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,600.

NHTSA ID

10658514

Incident

Oct 4, 2014

Mileage

77,600 mi

Some 2011-2012 F-250/F-350 and 2011-2015 F-450/F-550 vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine built on or before 9-Dec-2014 may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P2043, P205C and/or P205D. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

FORD: 2011-2014 F-SUPER DUTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6.7L DIESEL ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE A RUNNING ROUGH OR MISFIRE DURING EXHAUST REGENERATION PROCESS *CN

FORD: NO SERVICE ACTION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS CONDITION. PLEASE USE AT YOUR DISCRETION. VARIOUS 2010-2015 VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A TURBULENCE NOISE, SIMILAR TO AN HELICOPTER NOISE, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE REAR DOOR WINDOW(S) OR SUNROOF ARE OPEN. *TA

FORD: CERTAIN 2011-2015 FORD F-SUPER DUTY WITH 6.7 DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION BUZZ NOISE FROM THE DIESEL FUEL CONDITIONING MODULE (DFCM) AND/OR MAY 10/1/1 PRESSURE FUEL LINES W/O DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE POOSA. *TA

FORD: AFTER COLD START IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE A GROWLING, HISSING, METALLIC KIND OF NOISE. MODEL 2011-2015 F-SUPER DUTY. *PE

FORD: STARTING TRUCK IN COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES THAT IS BELOW 20F/-7C, CAUSES DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) TO BE STORED IN POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) IS ON. MODEL 2011-2014 F SUPER DUTY. *PE