2011 Ford F-150 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 147about this part
- Share
- 7%of 2,194 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,120miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 147 complaints about the visibility of the 2011 Ford F-150, 7% of the 2,194 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,120 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I turned on the truck with the remote starter. This is apparently tied into the auto defroster on the back window. As soon as I got in the car and started to drive the back window blew out for no reason. I did a search on the web and apparently this is an extremely common problem. The noise was so loud I actually thought someone shot out my window!!”
NHTSA complaint #10820855, filed 2016-01, 69,900 miles“I was driving when I looked in the rearview mirror and saw smoke coming from the back window. Before I could pull off the side of the road the rear window shattered. The casing around the window had began melting and was dripping down the outside of the cab. Rear defroster was on and nothing impacted the window”
NHTSA complaint #11139322, filed 2018-10, 36,000 miles“Rear glass window on 2011 f150 with power slider- driver side back quarter glass shattered, while driving. Rear defroster was on. I have researched this issue and have seen many complaints reported online. I am glad my children weren't in the back seat at the time this happened and it stayed in the frame and did not blow out/into the rear vehicle passenger area”
NHTSA complaint #10911130, filed 2016-10, 60,000 miles“Rear glass shattered due to rear defrost shorting out. Started truck after some freezing rain and turned on the rear defrost. Started to go down the road and about 10 mins later on the highway I hear what sounded like a shot gun blast. The glass had shattered but was still in place. I taped it up. I do not have the money to replace this. This is a design flaw that could cause a serious accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11109772, filed 2018-07, 145,689 miles“I have a 2011 Ford f150 fx4 with the power rear sliding window with defroster. The LED light does not work to power the defroster and the rear window is also not defrosting. After searching on the internet if this does not get repaired the rear window has shattered. The dealer advised me there was no recall and replacement cost would be $1350.”
NHTSA complaint #10695538, filed 2015-03, 48,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10172884Jan 31, 2020This SKU is a Power Window Regulator and Motor Assembly. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the software. The software may be too…
- 10164508Aug 9, 2019Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in…
- 10057834Jul 1, 2015Ford: 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…
- 10053423Jun 1, 2013Ford: a power sliding rear window, on some vehicles, may experience a possible inoperative rear window defrost. Models 2010-2013 f-150.
- 10052801May 13, 2013Ford: on some vehicles, the rear sliding glass center panel has a water leakage at the side panel. Model 2010-2013 f-150.
- 10041217Jan 1, 2011Ford: 2011 f150. May experience inoperative one touch power window operation. It may occur after a service adjustment or a battery voltage condition.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 6% |
| 2024 | 6 | 3% |
| 2023 | 28 | 7% |
| 2022 | 46 | 8% |
| 2021 | 131 | 13% |
| 2020 | 63 | 9% |
| 2019 | 36 | 3% |
| 2018 | 84 | 4% |
| 2017 | 53 | 4% |
| 2016 | 144 | 7% |
| 2015 | 97 | 6% |
| 2014 | 142 | 9% |
| 2013 | 190 | 6% |
| 2012 | 129 | 7% |
| 2011 | 147 | 7% |
| 2010 | 193 | 23% |
| 2009 | 5 | 2% |
| 2008 | 12 | 3% |
| 2007 | 5 | 1% |
| 2006 | 19 | 3% |
| 2005 | 268 | 24% |
| 2004 | 863 | 43% |
| 2003 | 20 | 5% |
| 2002 | 30 | 4% |
| 2001 | 25 | 2% |
| 2000 | 27 | 3% |
| 1999 | 83 | 8% |
| 1998 | 66 | 5% |
| 1997 | 148 | 5% |
| 1996 | 4 | 1% |
| 1995 | 8 | 1% |
| 1994 | 15 | 2% |
| 1993 | 8 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 0% |
| 1991 | 2 | 1% |
| 1990 | 3 | 1% |
| 1989 | 4 | 2% |
| 1988 | 8 | 6% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1983 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2011 Ford F-150
829 complaintsEngine
482 complaintsSteering
419 complaintsElectrical system
235 complaintsVehicle speed control
213 complaintsBrakes
184 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 28, 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