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Ford E-150Model year report

2011 Ford E-150 Problems

Complaints
23filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
37,500miles, 20 complaints with mileage
Recalls
11campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 5.4L 8-cyl · flex-fuel RWD · 12 city / 16 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Ford E-150 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2011 Ford E-150. The part named most often is steering, with 5 complaints (22% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (5) and engine (4). 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 55% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 37,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns and 26 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 12 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Steering: “The service advance track warning light has come on several times since my purchase of this used vehicle 3 months ago. I took to the Ford dealership for diagnosis this morning and was informed that the electronic steering gear box needed replacement at a cost of $1500. It was additionally explained that steering could fail due to this condition. At this time I have not experienced any steering issues however I am deeply concerned about the safety of this vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10787958, filed 2015-11, 38,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10955638, filed 2017-02, 82,000 miles

Engine: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10553220, filed 2013-11, 86,691 miles

Brakes: “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 complaint #11222863, filed 2019-06, 160,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

55% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 17,000 and 86,691 miles.

25%0–1010%10–2520%25–505%50–7520%75–10010%100–15010%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (20 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 37,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

20112012201320142015420164201720192020
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Ford E-150. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
E-150 Van · VAN RWDnot rated———3 · 27.9% risk

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 Ford E-150 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
E150 Van FFV RWD4.6L 8-cyl · flex-fuel4-speed automatic131715$4,450
E150 Van FFV RWD5.4L 8-cyl · flex-fuel4-speed automatic121614$4,800
E150 Wagon FFV RWD4.6L 8-cyl · flex-fuel4-speed automatic131614$4,800
E150 Wagon FFV RWD5.4L 8-cyl · flex-fuel4-speed automatic121613$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 11 recalls for the 2011 Ford E-150 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 26 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 26 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford E-150

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201686,5001———Not enough data
2015818,0001———Not enough data
2014616,7386—14—Not enough data
20131982,8006—14—Stable
20121260,0008—14—Not enough data
20112337,50011—14—Falling
20101042,5007———Not enough data
2009783,00012———Not enough data
20081166,32517———Not enough data
20071249,00018———Not enough data
20061744,37314—15—Stable
20051652,8792—15—Rising
20043365,0005—15Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20032116,3545—14—Stable
20022886,0003—14Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20013773,0004—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200050104,6026—15Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19998396,0006—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19986089,1465—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1997102103,0006—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199659120,0003—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19957195,0003—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1994121129,5007—14Not compared (before 2008)Rising
199371135,0004—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199264100,0004—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19911575,0001—13—Stable
199017126,0003—13—Falling
19893194,0002—13Not compared (before 2008)Rising
198814—0—13—Not enough data
19871770,0000—14—Stable
19869—0—14—Not enough data

All Ford E-150 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Ford E-150 have?

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2011 Ford E-150 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Ford E-150 is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 5 complaints (22% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 5.

Has the 2011 Ford E-150 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Ford E-150 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Ford E-150 (E150 Van FFV, 5.4L 8-cyl · flex-fuel) at 14 mpg combined, 12 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Ford E-150 reported?

Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 37,500 miles and the middle half falls between 17,000 and 86,691 miles; 55% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.