Problems · by component

2011 Ford F-150 engine problems

477 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 Ford F-150 cite engine, 22% of all 2,137 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
477
22% of all complaints
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unintendedly downshifted to first gear, causing the vehicle to lose motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart and reset. The contact stated that the failure had recurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an output shaft speed sensor failure. The contact was informed that the transmission lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. No further information was available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 133,456.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2025Power train, EngineODI 11652148
“The contact owned a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at 15 MPH and making a left turn, in the middle of the turn, the instrument panel turned off, and the vehicle jerked forward before losing automotive power. The contact was not able to clear the intersection in time and the vehicle crashed into another vehicle on the passenger’s side. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled over onto the driver’s side. The contact was thrown halfway through the window while the vehicle was flipping over onto the side of the vehicle, and the contact lay underneath the vehicle. Soldiers arrived at the scene and lifted the vehicle to release the contact out of the driver-side door. The air bags had deployed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The contact was unaware if a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact sustained a crushed pelvis, six fractured ribs, and nerve damage. Medical attention was required for the injuries. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 18, 2025EngineCrash reportedODI 11643389
“Transmission, shifted into 4th gear and would not shift out of 4th, Take the truck and inspect it if need be! Safety of my self and others as truck down shifted to 4th gear while driving speeds of 45mph, shot rpm’s over 6k. Problem has not been reproduced yet as of today 11/23/2024 Component wasn’t inspected by any option listed above but was mentioned in the NDOT accident report attached. No symptoms or warning likes before it appeared. Truck has NO warning lamps on including but not limited to check engine light or abs.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 24, 2024Power train, EngineCrash reportedODI 11627058
“The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to respond as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated, with an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact shifted to neutral to allow the vehicle to come to a stop on the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing chain had fractured, and a part of the timing chain was stuck to the lower engine block. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer for a secondary diagnostic test. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2024EngineODI 11623877
“The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. In addition, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2024EngineODI 11617541
“The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The check engine and another unknown warning light were illuminated. The tachometer and speedometer were inoperable. The contact pulled over, and the transmission remained stuck in first gear. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure persisted. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the engine and determined that the transmission position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2024Power train, Engine, Electrical systemODI 11608976

Showing 6 of 477 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.