2011 Ford F-350 SD: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 43 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (17% of complaints); the 2009 and 2013 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle jerked and lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the vehicle drove at a reduced speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that metal shavings were found in the fuel filter. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · May 2024
“A fuel injector clamp broke leading to raw fuel pouring down the side of the motor as well as vaporized fuel spraying around the top of the motor. After ordering the replacement clamp I realized they have changed the design from a piece of cast metal to stamped steel ( much stronger). If the fuel ignited it could be catastrophic. Luckily the clamp broke in my drive way and not while towing a heavy load. This could lead to the vehicle shutting down or worse catching fire. Enclose find pictures of the broken clamp and the redesigned new clamp. There are 7 more clamps on this motor waiting to fail. This vehicle only has 57,000 miles on it and has never been abused.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford f-350 sd. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle shook violently. The contact had to apply the brakes to slow down the vehicle and stop the shaking. The vehicle was driven to the contact's home. The dealer (o'meara ford, 400 w 104th ave, northglenn, co 80234) stated that there were no recalls for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2018
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“While driving the f350, without warning the engine will shut down. This occurred while driving on the interstate in a straight direction. Has continued to occur over the past month (4times). The vehicle will not restart. Wait anywhere from 2minutes to 20 minutes the vehicle will restart. Appears to be the erg system. Serious safety concern!!!!! According to other individuals on the internet this is a common problem.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford f-350 super duty the contact stated that the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power and stalled intermittently. The warning indicator for the exhaust fluid illuminated, which meant the fluid was low. The contact was unable to determine the cause of the internal failure and stalling. The dealer (paramount ford hyundai of valdese 101 malcolm blvd, valdese, nc 28690 (828) 338-9348) diagnosed that the ecm needed to be replaced or the incorrect fuel may have been used. The dealer was unable to duplicate and diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000. Updated 07/18/17*lj *js”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2017
“Vehicle wobbles/vibrates "death wobble" at high speed or when hitting a bump on freeway, only way to stop the wobble is to reduce vehicle speed to under 30 mph, vehicle only has 35k miles, I have heard of many complaints about this issue occurring around 30k miles on fords, dodge (a class-action lawsuit was started in 2014) & jeep (congress has already requested a recall). I am asking that this issue is looked into further before a serious injury. Thank you *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2016
“Truck goes into a death wobble when driving 60mph or faster. Usually happens when you go over a bridge, cattle guard or bump in the road. Cause the cehicle to shake uncontrollably and you have to come to almost a complete stop. I have had ford work on it and nothing has cured the problem. This issue is going to cause serious accidents if not taken seriously.”Owner report · Steering · May 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford f-350 sd. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the check valve in the fuel tank fractured, which cause a blockage in the fuel system. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 210,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford f-350 sd. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle lost power and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 13v535000 (engine), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 59,800.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2016
“Drivers side rear (side window) exploded on i95. 65 mph. No other vehicles nearby, no road debris. Window was in a million small pieces held together by window tint. No impact point, not hole, no sign of anything hitting (which would be next to impossible from the side with no traffic around). It was an extremely loud bang like a gun shot when it occurred. 2011 ford f350. Googling online indicates this is not a rare event.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2015
Recalls - 8 campaigns
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks manufactured February 22, 2010, to January 30, 2015, and equipped with ambulance or fire engine preparation packages. The affected vehicles may detect an incorrect Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor (EGT) fault indicating that the vehicle is too hot, causing the engine management system to shut down the engine and prevent its immediate restart.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S09.
Stahl is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles modified by Stahl and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
Remedy: Stahl will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. Owners may contact Stahl customer service at 1-800-277-8245, or Muncie at 1-800-367-7867.
Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners and dealers to inspect the Muncie PTO pressure switch to determine if it is from the range of defective switches and if required, remove the pressure switch assembly and put a plug in the port where the PTO switch had been installed. This switch was never being utilized. This will be done free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-July 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.
Remedy: Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.
Palfleet Truck Equipment Company, LLC (Palfleet) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 super duty vehicles modified by Palfleet and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
Remedy: Palfleet will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on July 29, 2014. Owners may contact Palfleet customer service at 1- 502-376-2458.
Utility Truck Equipment Company, LLC (Utility Truck) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 UTLI41A, 2011 UTLN41, and 2012 UTLN46 aerial trucks manufactured December 2010 to September 2013 equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies installed on 2010-2013 Ford F-350, F-450 and F-550 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
Remedy: Utility Truck will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began in June 2014. Owners may contact Utility Truck customer service at 1-254-857-8813.
Somerset Welding & Steel, doing business as J&J Truck equipment (J&J), is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis with 6.8L gasoline engines modified by J&J to be equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
Remedy: Somerset will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began August 2014. Owner's may contact Somerset customer service at 1-800-777-2671.
Tactical Vehicle Outfitters (Tactical) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ford F-350 and F-550 vehicles modified by Tactical and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
Remedy: Tactical will notify owners, and dealers will install a new PTO pressure switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Tactical customer service at 1-405-603-6700.
Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up.
Remedy: Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon customer service at 1-951-689-4266.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-350 SD 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 F-350 SD reliable?
NHTSA has 43 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Ford F-350 SD. The most complained-about area is engine (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Ford F-350 SD problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 51,689 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Ford F-350 SD have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm). 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.