10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,970 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Ford F-150:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #710

Jun 012023

F-150

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission unintendedly downshifted to first gear with the transmission warning light illuminated. In addition, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal soon after restarting the engine. The contact stated that the RPM's revved to 3,000 or 4,000 RPM while driving at slow speeds. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and remained in the dealer possession for over a month. The dealer later diagnosed the vehicle with a defective timing chain. The timing chain was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

- Westville, IL, USA

problem #709

Apr 012024

F-150

  • miles
My truck is doing exactly what the recall on all the others. Check engine light on for input shaft speed sensor. Speed odometer quit working then engine light came on for speed sensor. Now when you drive on highway it will be fine then all of a sudden throw a wrench light and truck goes into limp mode and barely moves. You stop turn it off it resets but still isn-??t right it doesn-??t seem to shift at proper times seems to be shifting to often.

- West Chester, OH, USA

problem #708

Jul 012024

F-150

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after accelerating from a stop light, the vehicle downshifted unexpectedly without warning while driving 30 MPH. The contact stated that rear tires locked up due to the failure and the vehicle screeched and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle, and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train) which was linked to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #707

Mar 012024

F-150

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. On one occasion, the contact stated that the transmission warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that during both failures the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Hymera, IN, USA

problem #706

Jan 122024

F-150

  • miles
Vehicle shifted into 1st gear on its own will driving which almost caused my son to wreck, took the vehicle to the Ford dealership as we could not get it back out of 1st gear. It had to be towed to the dealership to have repairs made which are the same repairs that are listed under a recall just issued on several 2014 F150 truck. We had to pay for these repairs totaling $1129.92 back on January 12, 2024. I contacted the dealership about this and they said we would not be refunded because our truck is not under the recall however there was a recall for 2011 F150 trucks for this same issue back in 2016 which we were not a part of also. I feel that this needs to be looked at a little more closely and the recall be expanded further to more later model trucks. My son could have been seriously injured or killed for a problem that could have been fixed back in 2016. I have tried to attach copy of repair receipt from dealership but it would not allow me to upload

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #705

Jun 252024

F-150

  • miles
The truck is not shifting properly it fails to downshift or will downshift on its own. I have almost had an accident due to this happening and did the update on the recall but it hasn't helped.

- Osceola, MO, USA

problem #704

May 262024

F-150

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission independently shifted. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the engine sounded abnormally loud. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure due to dirty transmission fluid. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #703

Jun 252024

F-150

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently downshifted and the vehicle would stall with the wrench warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

- Parrish, FL, USA

problem #702

Nov 052023

F-150

  • 194,285 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that on two occasions while driving at approximately 45 MPH, there was a clunking sound, and the vehicle inadvertently downshifted into first gear. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence where a hand-held diagnostic machine retrieved DTC code: P0722 (Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit no Signal). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 194,285.

- Walsh, IL, USA

problem #701

Jun 192024

F-150

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the maintenance warning light illuminated. The contact became aware that the transmission had independently shifted several times. In addition, all the instrument gauges had dropped to zero. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that an appointment was scheduled for the vehicle to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed of an unknown recall however, the contact was informed that the recall had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #700

Jun 012024

F-150

  • miles
My vehicle, a 2011 Ford F150 with a six cylinder engine and automatic transmission, recently began experiencing "UNEXPECTEDLY DOWNSHIFTING INTO 1ST GEAR WHILE IN MOTION" AND HAS ALREADY CAUSED A LOSS OF CONTROL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. While I was able to avoid an accident, this is a serious safety issue. It is noted that NHTSA has recalled 1.3 million Ford F150 vehicles for the years 2011 - 2013. My particular VIN [XXX], was not included. How do I get a Recall letter to have my vehicle declared a recall and get it repaired. The vehicle is experiencing the same problem as those already recalled. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

problem #699

Jun 072024

F-150

  • miles
Was in 6th gear(on a 6speed transmission) and immediately my truck downshifted to 1st gear causing my back tires to lock up and almost crash into a median. This is due to a CSP that Ford no longer offers to fix because it "expired".

- Saint Charles, MO, USA

problem #698

Jun 112024

F-150

  • 199,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping between gears with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, the transmission intermittently became inoperable but then regained normal functionality. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the vehicle could not be repaired under Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N01 (Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage) because the campaign had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.

- Corbin, KY, USA

problem #697

Jun 032024

F-150

  • miles
Unexpectedly downshifted to first gear from 4th gear.

- Lewiston, ID, USA

problem #696

Jun 032024

F-150

  • 146,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while her husband was driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH and the vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic. The contact stated that the independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the molded leadframe had failed. The contact's husband was advised by the mechanic that the manufacturer had a Customer Satisfaction Program: 16N02 - Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage (Power Train). The contact stated that the vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.

- Benbrook, TX, USA

problem #695

Dec 142023

F-150

  • 214,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle did not accelerate as intended. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off, restarted the vehicle and continued to drive. The contact noticed a loud sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failure of the onboard speed sensor and the onboard speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 214,000.

- Trivoli, IL, USA

problem #694

Apr 252024

F-150

  • 129,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission module. The contact was informed that the transmission module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #693

Apr 232024

F-150

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the speedometer became inoperable, the vehicle hesitated to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle shifted sluggishly into gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle shifted into first gear unintendedly. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring increasingly, causing the vehicle to accelerate or decelerate unintendedly. The dealer and several independent mechanics were contacted and informed the contact that the failure could be related to the transmission leadframe and the valve body; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000. The VIN was not available.

- Bristow, VA, USA

problem #692

Apr 172024

F-150

  • miles
[XXX] [XXX] Cedar Rapids IA 52402 April 27 2024 [XXX] PHONE: [XXX] Dear NHTSA I have a 2011 Ford F150 5.0 with a 6 speed transmission and within the last few weeks I have had serious transmission issues that have become so bad it is not safe to drive. At any time the transmission will down shift on its own causing my speed to be reduced dramatically and usually becomes stuck in third gear and lose power. When I come to a stop light it will lung forward until I can get it out of third gear into neutral also some times when I pull out from a stop light while making a left turn it will change gears and the power will drop making it very dangerous to make a left turn in oncoming traffic. I researched the internet trying to find what would cause this and it didn-??t take long for hundreds of articles to pop up. Many articles said there was a recall in (2019) for the 2011s with a 6 speed transmission made in Dearborn Michigan and that would be mine. I called the Ford Motor Company last week and explained the issue I was having and gave them my VIN [XXX]. They agreed there had been issues with that transmission but my VIN didn-??t match any recalls, they did say they have a review board that looks at these problems along with NHTSA and may cover the cost to fix it so I should save my receipts. I then went to my local Ford Dealer and gave them the VIN they said Ford had an extended warranty for that transmission but now it is outdated? I did more research and found the following (Ford is issuing a safety recall on select 2011-13 Ford F-150 vehicles with 6-speed automatic transmission that may experience an intermittent loss of the transmission output speed sensor signal to the powertrain control module, potentially resulting in a temporary, unintended downshift into first gear. Feb 13, 2019) (DEARBORN, Michigan -?" Ford is recalling 201,900 vehicles in North America, including the 2011-'12 Ford F-150 and 201 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

problem #691

Feb 012023

F-150

  • 31,870 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford 150. The contact stated that while pressing the accelerator pedal a thumping noise was present coming from the transmission and the vehicle had experienced jerking and loss of power along with reduced speeds while driving and the service wrench had displayed. After restarting the engine the vehicle operated as normal but the failure continued to intermittently occur. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,870.

- Hobe Sound, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »