2011 Ford E-150 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
37,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 23 complaints (21.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 21.7% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 21.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 17.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
Steering: 5; Engine: 4; Power Train: 4; Service Brakes: 3; Electrical System: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Suspension: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 4; 2016: 4; 2017: 3; 2019: 3; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10734154 · 2015-07-15 (July 15, 2015)
THE BRAKE FOOT CONTROL LOCKS UP AND VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ROLL. YOU CAN NOT STOP. IT'S WORSE WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD. IN THE BEGINNING IT WAS JUST WHEN BACKING UP AFTER VEHICLE WAS JUST STARTED, NOW IT'S ALSO DOING THE SAME THING WHEN GOING FORWARD. YOU HAVE NO STOPPING POWER AS BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT DO ANYTHING AND YOU JUST CONTINUE ROLLING.....UPDATED 10/15/15 *BF UPDATED 11/22/2017*CN
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10734154 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10824961 · 2016-02-08 (February 8, 2016)
BRAKES FAIL WHEN FIRST STARTING COLD. I HAVE TO SLAM HARD AND PUMP TO GET THEM TO WORK. MAKES A LOAD GROANING NOISE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. GOES AWAY AFTER FIRST MINUTE. I ASKED DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT. NHTSA INVESTIGATION PE15026 SAYS OTHERWISE - THIS IS NOT A NEW OR ISOLATED ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10824961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10409490 · 2011-06-22 (June 22, 2011)
THIS VEHICLE, A 2011 E-150 FORD VAN WAGON. STEERING BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE STARTING AT 50 MPH AND BECOMES PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS SPEED INCREASES TO 75 MPH. THE 2 PRIOR INCIDENCES REFERENCED ABOVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 50-75 MPH. ANY SLIGHT ADJUSTMENTS BY DRIVER, ESPECIALLY AT 70 MPH, CREATES SWAY CONDUCIVE TO ROLLOVER. IT SEEMS AS IF THE "POWER ASSIST" INTERFERES WITH DRIVER'S CONTROL OF STEERING WHEEL. AT HIGHER SPEEDS, OVER-STEER IS CREATED AND WHEN THE DRIVER MAKES A CORRECTION, A SWAYING EFFECT IS CREATED. AS SPEED INCREASES, THE POWER ASSIST F…
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10409490 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10663893 · 2015-02-23 (February 23, 2015)
2011 E-150 ECONOLINE. CONSUMER SEEKING ARBITRATION FOR VEHICLE. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK. THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD LOCK UP, THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS LEAKING FLUID, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 19,061 miles reported. Look up ODI 10663893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10609054 · 2014-07-08 (July 8, 2014)
I HAVE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER BOTH ON CITY STREETS AND INTERSTATES. NEARLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY ON THE MASS PIKE IN BOSTON. IF THE VEHICLE IS PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THAT SEEMS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE FOR A WHILE. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10609054 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10409309 · 2011-06-29 (June 29, 2011)
MY FORD DEALER REPORTS THAT A SQUIRREL CHEWED THROUGH THE (PLASTIC) FUEL LINE OF MY 2011 FORD F 150, LEAKING GAS, RESULTING IN A POOL OF FUEL ON THE TOP/EXTERIOR OF THE FUEL TANK. OSTENSIBLY THE SQUIRREL ALSO CHEWED, BUT DID NOT CHEW THROUGH THE WALL OF THE TANK ITSELF. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,353 miles reported. Look up ODI 10409309 at NHTSA ↗