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2011 Ford F-350 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
49% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2011 Ford F-350 are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 63% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Does the 2011 Ford F-350 have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 24 of 50 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2011 Ford F-350 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (49%), and the largest group is filed under engine (12). For comparison, the 2010 scores 22% and the 2012 scores 34%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2011 compares with other Ford F-350 years
Of the 14 Ford F-350 years with enough complaints to score, the 2011 is the worst on engine and transmission share (49%). The best is the 2018 (7%). By volume, the 2011 drew 50 complaints (24 drivetrain), against 60 for the 2010 and 183 for the 2012.
Ford F-350 years to avoid and best years →
2010 F-350 problems · 2011 · 2012 F-350 problems · 2013 F-350 problems · 2014 F-350 problems · 2015 F-350 problems · 2016 F-350 problems · 2017 F-350 problems · 2018 F-350 problems · 2019 F-350 problems · 2020 F-350 problems · 2021 F-350 problems · 2022 F-350 problems · 2023 F-350 problems
The rest of the picture on the 2011 Ford F-350
- What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 24 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2011 Ford F-350 engine recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2011 Ford F-350 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 4 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 F-350/450/550 Ambulance Package vehicles manufactured February 22, 2010, through October 19, 2012 and equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine. Due to an exhaust sensor problem, the vehicles may experience loss of power followed by an engine stall.
Risk: An unexpected engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, if this were to occur when the ambulance is transporting a patient, there is an increased risk of injury to the patient.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the exhaust gas temperature sensor, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at…
3 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model; one of NHTSA's listings did not answer when this page was built, so the list may be incomplete. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2011 Ford F-350? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2011 Ford F-350
Does the 2011 Ford F-350 have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 24 of 50 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2011 Ford F-350 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (49%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Ford F-350?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2011 Ford F-350 is steering: 16 of 50 complaints (32%) name it, followed by engine (12) and suspension (9). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap. Engine, transmission and fuel-system complaints together make up 49% of the relevant total.
Is the 2011 Ford F-350 reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 49% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 63% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 14 Ford F-350 years we score, it ranks worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2011 Ford F-350?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2011 Ford F-350 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 4 in total: 13V535000 (engine). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Ford F-350 years are better?
Among the Ford F-350 years we track, the 2018 (7%), the 2019 (9%) and the 2017 (10%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2011 (49%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/ford-f-350
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 3 body styles NHTSA files separately.