2011 Ford E-150: problems, recalls and reliability
12 recalls and 23 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train; the 2009 and 2010 and 2012 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“When engine is started in the mornings you can hear a knocking sound which seems to subside as the engine is warming. I've been watching the video on youtube about the catastrophic consequences this will eventually occur if the cause is not discovered and repaired. Please refer to youtube videos fordtechmakeuloco see the 2004-2015 titled ford f-150/e-150 lower balljoint replacement and how a failed $4.00 part turned into a $7,000 motor repair. Oil pumps also. Happens in the driveway idling . Ford dealer wanted $125. To diagnose this morning thursday 12/10/2020.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2019
“Premature lower balljoint failure. Driver and passenger sides. While driving forward or reverse and turning right or left or when braking you would hear popping and tire rubbing something underneath. Vehicle had only 55,000 miles displayed on the odometer. This occurred at when van was in motion.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2019
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“I started getting a check fuel inlet warning occasionally and then my check engine light came on so I took the vehicle in for service. I was informed that the canister purge valve was faulty and was in need of replacement at the cost of $341. As it were my 2010 ford fusion has the very same part being replace as part of a safety recall. I noted this to both my ford dealer and ford customer service but I am still responsible for the repair. My question is why it's a safety recall in one instance but an owners responsibility in another.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2017
“Ford door latch recalls - our ford f150 eco boost (year 2011) has a door latch pawl spring that is defected. One of my kids recently was injured when the spring broke on them when trying to shut the door close on the gas station (vehicle was stationary but turned on) when the light came on indicating passenger front door was open, she was having trouble opening the door to have it shut, when all of a sudden the spring broke causing door handle to crack and break on her. She was cut by the door handle upon the impact of the spring releasing.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford e-150. While turning the vehicle at 40 mph, the power steering failed and the steering wheel seized. The power steering assist fault warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford e-150. While driving at any speed, the vehicle made a very loud noise and decreased in speed while turning. The steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rack and pinion electronic assist failed. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 217,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 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 report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2016
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford e-150. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph, the vehicle jerked and hesitated. When the vehicle approached an incline, the speed decreased and failed to accelerate. The engine and the wrench warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was repaired but the failure recurred. The details of the repair were unavailable. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the central air system (cas) sucked in moisture, which hindered acceleration. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 34,870.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 12 campaigns
National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van) is recalling certain 2007-2014 Ford E-150 and E-250 vehicles manufactured February 26, 2007, to August 19, 2014, and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Remedy: National Van will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 3, 2014. Owners may contact National Van customer service at 1-800-527-7477. National Van's number for this recall is Ricon2014.
MobilityWorks (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vans modified by MobilityWorks to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
Remedy: MobilityWorks will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact MobilityWorks customer service at 1-800-769-8267, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. Note: These vehicles and wheelchair lifts were subject to a similar recall in 2014. All vehicles that received that recall remedy are still affected by this recall as well.
Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
ROUSH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET ROUSH CLEAN TECH LIQUID PROPANE AUTOGAS FUEL SYSTEM KITS PRODUCED BETWEEN DECEMBER 17, 2010, AND MAY 6, 2011, USED FOR INSTALLATION ON FLEET VEHICLES MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 FORD E-SERIES VANS/WAGONS/SHUTTLES/CUTAWAY (150, 250 AND 350) WITH 5.4L ENGINES ("E-SERIES"), AND MY 2011 FORD E-450 CUTAWAYS. THE VALVES INSTALLED IN THE SERVICE PORT OF THE FUEL RAILS OF THE KIT WERE UNDER MINIMUM SPECIFICATION FOR THE DIAMETER. THIS LED TO INSUFFICIENT COMPRESSION OF THE O-RING, ALLOWING LEAKAGE OF PROPANE AUTOGAS. THE PART NUMBERS OF THE AFFECTED KITS ARE: P10C2-R150KIT-AA, P10C2-R150KIT-AC, P10C2-R350KIT-AC, P11C2-R150KIT-AA, P11C2-R150KIT-AB, P11C2-R350KIT-AA, P11C2-R350KIT-AB, P-10-SO-RKIT-BA, PBC2-RKIT158-AB, PBC2-RKIT176-AB, AND PBC2-RKITMB-AC.
Remedy: AS OF MAY 27, 2011, ROUSH HAD NOTIFIED ALL OWNERS OF RECORD BY TELEPHONE AND SHIPPED TO THEM REPLACEMENT VALVES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROUSH AT 1-734-466-6255.
ROUSH PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2011 FORD E-SERIES VANS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4 OR 6.8 LITER ENGINES THAT HAVE BEEN ALTERED BY ROUSH TO OPERATE USING THE ROUSH LIQUID PROPANE AUTOGAS FUEL SYSTEM. A VALVE IN THE SYSTEM MAY HAVE BEEN MISMACHINED ALLOWING A PROPANE LEAK.
Remedy: ROUSH WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE VALVE WITH A CORRECTLY MACHINED ONE. ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED, THEREFORE, AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WILL NOT BE ISSUED FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROUSH AT 1-734-466-6255.
Landi Renzo USA is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified January 2, 2011, through February 24, 2014 to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). In the affected vehicles, the left and right rear brackets that support the rear CNG cylinder may fail, allowing the cylinder to dislodge from the vehicle.
Remedy: Landi Renzo USA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the side arm brackets, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2014. Owners may contact Landi Renzo USA at 1-855-526-3400.
Mobility Works is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Ford E-150, E-250 and E-350 vehicles manufactured August 2006 through August 2012. The vehicles are equipped with certain Ricon S series and K Series wheelchair lifts with an optional armored pendant cable. The armored cable may be positioned such that it does not clear the wheelchair lift.
Remedy: Mobility Works will notify owners and Ricon will provide a supplemental cover kit and instructions, free of charge. This recall campaign is expected to begin July 15, 2013. Owners may contact Mobility Works at 1-877-275-4912 and Ricon at 1-818-267-3000.
Roush Performance Products, Inc. (Roush) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford E-150 Wagons and Cargo Vans, E-250 Cargo Vans and Extended Cargo Vans, E-350 Wagons, Extended Wagons, Cargo Vans, and Extended Vans, and E-450 Cutaway models. These models were modified by Roush to be equipped with certain propane fuel system conversion kits manufactured January 2011 to August 2012 with an aluminum fuel line fitting. Due to a reaction between the different metals, the affected kits may develop a propane leak where the aluminum fuel line fitting contacts the brass supply valve housing.
Remedy: Roush will notify owners and will replace the aluminum fuel line fittings with new stainless steel fittings, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2014. Owners may contact Roush customer service at 1-800-597-6874.
ROUSH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 FORD E-150, E-250, AND E-350 5.4L ENGIN VANS/WAGONS/CUTAWAYS, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 FORD E-450 6.8L ENGINE CUTAWAY VEHICLES ALTERED BY ROUCH TO OPERATE USING THE ROUSH BRANDED CLEANTECH PROPANE AUTOGAS FUEL SYSTEM. THE FUEL RAILS INCLUDED IN THE KITS CONTAIN IMPROPERLY SEATED INJECTOR RETENTION CLIPS. THIS COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF PROPANE AUTOGAS.
Remedy: ROUSH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES OF WHICH THE KITS WERE INSTALLED IN ORDER TO ARRANGE FOR FREE REPLACEMENT OF THE INJECTOR RETENTION CLIPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROUSH AT 1-734-466-6255.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, and E-450 vehicles built from May 12, 2011, through May 26, 2011. Due to improper manufacturing conditions, some of the windshields may form bubbles after an extended time in hot temperatures. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205, "Glazing Materials."
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the windshield if bubbles are present, free of charge. The recall began in January 2014. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 11C20.
ROUSH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET ROUSH CLEAN TECH LIQUID PROPANE AUTOGAS FUEL SYSTEM KITS USED FOR INSTALLATION ON THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES: MODEL YEAR 2007 AND 2008 FORD E-350 (DUEL REAR WHEEL), MY 2009-2011 FORD E- 150, E-250, AND E-350, AND MY 2009-2011 FORD E-450 CUTAWAYS. THE FUEL RAILS INCLUDED IN THE KITS CONTAIN IMPROPERLY SEATED INJECTOR RETENTION CLIPS. THIS COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF PROPANE AUTOGAS. THE PART NUMBERS OF THE AFFECTED KITS ARE: P07C2-176KIT-AB, P10C2-RCOMMKIT-AB, P10C2-R150KIT-AA, P10C2-R150KIT-AC, P10C2-R350KIT-AC, P11C2-R150KIT-AA, P11C2-R150KIT-AB, P11C2-R350KIT-AA, P11C2-R350KIT-AB, P10-SO-RKIT-BA, PBC2-RKIT158-AB, PBC2-RKIT176-AB, AND PBC2-RKITMB-AC.
Remedy: ROUSH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES OF WHICH THE KITS WERE INSTALLED ON IN ORDER TO ARRANGE FOR FREE REPLACEMENT OF THE INJECTOR RETENTION CLIPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROUSH AT 1-800-59-ROUCH (1-800-597-6874.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 E-150, E-250, E-350 AND E-450 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THAT UNDER UNUSUALLY HIGH LOADS, SUCH AS DURING A CRASH, THE DRIVER POWER SEAT TRACK WORM GEAR MAY FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2011 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact E-150 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Ford E-150 reliable?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints and 12 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Ford E-150. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2011 Ford E-150 have open recalls?
12 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment adaptive/mobility. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.