2011 Ford F-150 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 829about this part
- Share
- 38%of 2,194 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 829 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Ford F-150, 38% of the 2,194 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle's slams into 1st while driving. There is a recall on this issue, but dealership says Ford has stopped their initial fix. Apparently their fix is not working. Not able to get timeline on when Ford will come up with a solution for this. Does not seem safe to drive, but I need a vehicle. I can't get it repaired so now I'm in limbo with no vehicle. Feel helpless.”
NHTSA complaint #11415319, filed 2021-05, 108,000 miles“Wile driving,the vehical will down shift with a loud bang. On a highway the trans will go betwine 5&6 gear. Now the it went from 6 to 1 gear , sending the vehical ,all over the road. The people at Ford dealers think it's funney. I do not think so they know I need a new trans, I did not hit know one. Thr vehical is home.”
NHTSA complaint #11377785, filed 2020-12, 206,454 miles“My 2011 Ford F-150 pick-up is shifting very hard from 1st gear to 2nd gear. The hard shift causes my pick-up to lurch forward abruptly. It also shifts hard some of the time when it shifts from 2nd to 3rd gear. I took my pick-up to our local Ford dealer, and they recommended a transmission update for $100.00 not covered by the extended warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11083557, filed 2018-04, 75,000 miles“The transmission will not shift into gear from first gear. The RPM gauge goes up but transmission won't change gears. I have to disconnect the battery to get it going again and I am not getting a check engine light or code. I will also down shift while driving on the highway or get stuck in one gear depending on what gear I am on. It has done it several times already the last time was on february 05, 2021.”
NHTSA complaint #11394916, filed 2021-02, 96,267 miles“As I drive my F-150 as a daily driver and everyday it is the same problem. But as it snowed the other day I proceeded to the grocery store on a state highway and I was traveling at about 35mph with a 50 MPH posted speed limit and as it downshifted unexpectedly I lost control and the vehicle spun around and ended up facing the wrong way on the road. Thankfully there was no other vehicles involved”
NHTSA complaint #11174829, filed 2019-02, 125,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V075000Feb 11, 2019Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly…Covers: Ford F-150 2011–2013
- 16V248000Apr 27, 2016Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The…Covers: Ford F-150 2011–2012, Mustang 2012, Expedition 2012 +1 more
- 11V582000Dec 8, 2011Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 f-150 vehicles manufactured from september 9, 2011, through september 22, 2011, and model year 2012 f-250, f-350…Covers: Ford F-150 2011, F-250 2012, F-450 2012 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 10214754Jun 21, 2022Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may…
- 10201087Aug 17, 2021This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle…
- 10201086Aug 17, 2021This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle…
- 10183669Nov 12, 2020Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped with A 6R80 Transmission Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage In…
- 10162411Jun 25, 2019Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01: Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped With A 6R80 Transmission - Transmission…
- 10160931May 10, 2019On 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…
- 10159510Apr 4, 2019Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped With A 6R80 Transmission - Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage
- 10127405Nov 2, 2017Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement. This may be due to the parameter reset…
- 10099463Mar 14, 20172009-2017 vehicles equipped with a 6r80, 6r100, 6r140 automatic transmission have an updated main control valve body overhaul procedure. Refer to workshop manual (wsm), section…
- 10092370Aug 16, 2016Some 2004-2014 f-150 and 2006-2008 mark lt vehicles equipped with four-wheel drive (4wd) may exhibit noisy or engaged front hubs when operating in two-wheel drive (2wd) mode…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 | 24% |
| 2024 | 58 | 30% |
| 2023 | 159 | 38% |
| 2022 | 162 | 27% |
| 2021 | 322 | 31% |
| 2020 | 360 | 49% |
| 2019 | 741 | 55% |
| 2018 | 1,019 | 44% |
| 2017 | 557 | 38% |
| 2016 | 615 | 29% |
| 2015 | 434 | 25% |
| 2014 | 426 | 28% |
| 2013 | 1,346 | 45% |
| 2012 | 682 | 38% |
| 2011 | 829 | 38% |
| 2010 | 121 | 14% |
| 2009 | 33 | 10% |
| 2008 | 50 | 14% |
| 2007 | 57 | 12% |
| 2006 | 46 | 8% |
| 2005 | 112 | 10% |
| 2004 | 232 | 11% |
| 2003 | 62 | 15% |
| 2002 | 53 | 6% |
| 2001 | 74 | 6% |
| 2000 | 47 | 4% |
| 1999 | 75 | 7% |
| 1998 | 83 | 6% |
| 1997 | 151 | 5% |
| 1996 | 26 | 8% |
| 1995 | 75 | 12% |
| 1994 | 56 | 8% |
| 1993 | 40 | 7% |
| 1992 | 28 | 6% |
| 1991 | 13 | 4% |
| 1990 | 13 | 5% |
| 1989 | 9 | 4% |
| 1988 | 8 | 6% |
| 1987 | 2 | 2% |
| 1986 | 2 | 3% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2011 Ford F-150
482 complaintsSteering
419 complaintsElectrical system
235 complaintsVehicle speed control
213 complaintsBrakes
184 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
147 complaintsFuel system
117 complaintsOther or unknown
116 complaintsElectronic stability control
44 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsBody and structure
33 complaintsExterior lighting
30 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology