The Ford F-150 has long been America’s best-selling vehicle, with 390,661 units sold in 2011 alone. Still, this ubiquitous truck has some potentially serious problems related to its powertrain, brakes, and electric steering.
Key Points
- The 2011 Ford F-150 has six recalls, including shift lever malfunctions, defective body control units, and unexpected downshifting.
- The NHTSA conducted four investigations into the 2011 F-150, finding problems with the truck’s intercooler, brake vacuum pump, and powertrain control unit.
- Most of the recalls and investigations affecting the 2011 Ford F-150 relate to models equipped with the 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engine.
- Other problems affect non-EcoBoost models as well, including shattering rear windows and intermittent power steering failure.
3.5-liter EcoBoost Engine in 2011 Ford F-150 may Hesitate During Hard Acceleration, Develop Timing Chain Problems
Ford F-150s equipped with the 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost engine can bog down when passing, merging, and climbing. Complaints about this were widespread enough to have warranted an NHTSA investigation in 2013, which narrowed the problem down to the EcoBoost’s intercooler—a component that’s meant to lower the temperature of intake air for greater efficiency.
Basically, if the truck runs at a “steady” speed for a while—say, 65 mph on a flat highway—excess condensation builds up inside the intercooler, particularly in humid conditions. If the truck suddenly accelerates, all that built-up condensation gets sucked right into the combustion chamber, causing misfires, stalling, and decreased performance overall. Ford issued multiple service bulletins (TSBs) to address this problem, including one that involved installing a deflector plate in the intercooler to prevent moisture from penetrating the intake.
The EcoBoost engine has also generated multiple complaints about the timing chain “stretching.” The most commonly reported symptom of this problem is audible “grinding” or “rattling” coming from under the hood during cold starts, which goes away when the engine reaches operating temperature.
2011 F-150’s 3.5-liter Ecoboost Also Suffers from Brake Vacuum Pump Failure, Leading to Two NHTSA Investigations
The NHTSA investigations were opened in response to complaints about “increased brake pedal effort at cold start and extended stopping distance.” The problem was boiled down to the F-150’s defective electric brake vacuum assist pump. In short, water was found to contaminate the brake vacuum system on EcoBoost-equipped models, causing corrosion and electrical damage. Symptoms of this condition include loss of brake feel and, in extreme cases, failure of the brake power assistor.
To solve this problem, Ford issued TSB 15-0105, which instructs mechanics to diagnose the F-150’s braking system and replace the vacuum pump, if necessary.
Problems with the Six-speed Automatic Include Unexpected Downshifts and a Faulty Shift Lever, Leading to Recalls and Investigations
569 NHTSA complaints about the 2011 Ford F-150 are listed under “Power Train,” and the majority relate to the transmission suddenly downshifting to a low gear at highway speeds. This sort of malfunction can wreak havoc on the drivetrain and other mechanical components. More concerning, though, is the high likelihood of the rear-end locking up, which can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
The NHTSA opened an investigation into the downshifting issue in 2017, finding that a defective Transmission Output Speed Sensor (OSS) was to blame. More specifically, a temporary loss of signal was found to occur between the OSS and the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). This makes the PCM mistakenly think that the truck is no longer in motion, causing the transmission to suddenly downshift.
Ford issued two recalls to address this problem, covering a total of 1,416,632 its vehicles (not just 2011 F-150s). The fix is performed by reprogramming the truck’s PCM.
Two more recalls relate to the F-150’s automatic transmission. One covers a defective “Transmission shift lever,” which may put 16,091 affected trucks into gear without the brake pedal being depressed.
The other recall affects just 10,500 units and has to do with the truck’s reverse lights not indicating properly, as well as the “R” light on the dashboard not illuminating when appropriate.
2011 F-150’s Electrical Problems Include Recalled Body Control Module, Rear Defroster that Shatters Window
The 2011 F-150 has two recalls related to the Body Control Unit (BCU)—the component which controls all of the truck’s electronics. Both recalls stem from a bad batch of BCUs which, according to the NHTSA, can develop an internal short that could result in an electrical fire. A grand total of 22,759 Ford models across the range are impacted by this recall, not just the F-150.
Another common complaint is the truck’s rear window shattering when the defroster is enabled. In the lead-up to these shattering incidents, some owners noticed the smell of burning electronics after turning on the defroster—indicating a potential shorting condition. In spite of the widespread complaints registered with the NHTSA about this problem, Ford has yet to issue any recalls.
2011 F-150’s Electronic Power Steering Assist Widely Reported to Fail at Random, Causing Steering Wheel to Periodically Stiffen
Widespread owner complaints allege that the F-150’s power steering can suddenly fail while driving at speed. More specially, owners claim that the steering wheel may periodically stiffen or, in severe cases, lock up. This allegedly compromises vehicle control, though Ford has not addressed this issue for the 2011 F-150 in particular. Notably, 2011 was the first year that the F-150 came equipped with electric power steering, so this may have been a teething issue for the newly-introduced technology.
After 10 Years, the 2011 F-150 is Still One of the More Common Sights on the Road, but Problems can Lurk Beneath the Surface
This F-150 was America’s best-selling vehicle in 2011. So, yes, it’s very plausible that this truck would generate more owner complaints than, say, a Saab or Fiat.
However, six recalls, four investigations, and 1,803 complaints are worrisome even by best-selling vehicle standards. And though the F-150’s most serious safety concerns have been addressed through recalls and service bulletins, some problems—such as intermittent power steering failure—have not yet been addressed by Ford (and, at this point, may never be).
Still, if you’re in the market for a 2011 Ford F-150, pay close attention to EcoBoost-equipped models, as they fall under most of the recalls and investigations for this truck.
Photos: Ford; Deposit Photos
