Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2011 Ford F-450 with NHTSA between 2014 and 2022.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 25
Against the median year of the Ford F-450. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 86
16.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2011 Ford F-450
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
541.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 79,072 mi
Steering
216.7%
Median failure at 94,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
18.3%
Median failure at 87,000 miles
Wheels
18.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 479,996 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
18.3%
Median failure at 77,600 miles
Electrical System
18.3%
Median failure at 87,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
18.3%
Median failure at 55,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
433.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
433.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
325.0%
150,000+ miles
18.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2014peak 2Dec 2022
NHTSA investigations into the 2011 Ford F-450
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
RQ14005Opened 13 Jan 2015Closed 15 Mar 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this RQ to investigate allegations that the scope and remedy of safety recall 13V-535 were inadequate. Recall 13V-535 was limited to a relatively small population of Ambulance Package vehicles and ODI received complaints of pickup trucks and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles being affected by the same defect. Ford manufactured approximately 555,985 subject vehicles between February 22, 2010 and January 30, 2015 that may be affected by defective EGT sensors and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration. The subject vehicles are equippe...
Recalls on the 2011 Ford F-450
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20194205,327 units in Canada
Other
Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempered. If the window breaks, the glass may separate into large pieces instead of very small ones. Note: This is a voluntary recall that is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Safety Risk: Glass that breaks in to large pieces could create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company will notify consumers by mail and instruct them to inspect the designation code marked on the rear window glass. Products affected by this recall have the designation “DOT 287” along with the lettering “VMR” (Replacement Market) and a date code that is before July 2019. This information is printed on the bottom corner of the glass. Consumers should contact Vitro's customer service at 1-412-995-6457 or argbacklites@vitro.com to arrange for replacement of the glass.
Recall 201512596 units in Canada
Engine
Certain ambulance or fire package vehicles with 6.7L diesel engines may experience a "stop safety now" warning message and 5 audible chimes if an Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) sensor fault is detected. Engine torque would be gradually reduced by 70 percent over a period of 45 seconds to a power-reduced level that is maintained. During this time, there would be no effect on steering, braking, lighting, electrical, or restraint systems, allowing the operator to maneuver the vehicle to a safe location. Such an occurrence could also result in an engine shut down and subsequent inability to quickly restart the vehicle. If this condition were to occur when an ambulance or fire engine vehicle was transporting a patient or providing medical assistance, it could delay medical treatment and increase the risk of injury to the patient. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module with updated software.
Recall 201337250 units in Canada
Engine
Certain ambulance package vehicles with 6.7L diesel engines may experience a "stop safety now" warning message and 5 audible chimes while the vehicles gradually loses power, eventually resulting in the engine stalling when speed falls below 5 km/h. If this were to occur while the ambulance is transporting a patient, engine shutdown with no ability to restart could interfere with patient care and increase the risk of injury to the patient. Correction: Dealers will replace the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor located downstream of the diesel particulate filter (DPF).
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 479,996 milesSchaumburg, ILFire
WHEELS
THIS VEHICLE IS SHUTTLE BUS, TRANSPORT PASSENGERS FROM CHICAGO O'HARE AIRPORT TO FOUR POINTS HOTELS AND BACK 24/7. THIS VEHICLE IS OWNED BY FOUR POINTS HOTEL AT SCHILLER PARK, IL AND I WORK AS DRIVER. ON NOVEMBER 20 2016 JUST AFTER 9 PM I WAS DRIVING THE BUS SOUTH BOUND ON MANNHEIM RD AND WHEN BREAKING TO STOP AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AT LAWRENCE AVE THE LEFT REAR END HIT THE GROUND AND THE BUS DRAGGED UNTIL REACH COMPLETE STOP. THE REAR OUTER TIER COME OFF ALONG THE (WAS FOUND QUARTER MILE NORTH) SMALL FIRE STARTED , EVACUATED PASSENGERS. ALL BOLTS SNAPPED OFF THE REAR LEFT WHEEL AND THE OUTER TIRE CAME OFF. THE BUS WAS TOUGHED TO M&M AUTOMOTIVE INC. (708 456 6629) M&M MAINTAIN THE HOTELS BUS. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE THE BUS STILL AT THE HOTEL AND CAN BE USED? BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN USED FOR WHILE
NHTSA complaint #11032574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,120 milesLivingston, TXFire
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE ENGINE BLEW UP. FORD REPORTED THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY GLOW PLUG WHICH FELL INTO THE CYLINDER CAUSING THE CONNECTING ROD TO BREAK AND EXIT THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. FIRE ENSUED BUT WAS SHORT LIVED.
NHTSA complaint #10972100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 54,000 milesHanover, MD
STEERING
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-450. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel started to shake abnormally. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while accelerating at high speeds, or while driving in inclement weather, the steering wheel started to shake uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to three different dealers where the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a different dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that unknown steering parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised each time to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
NHTSA complaint #11499192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,000 milesBulls GAP, TN
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-450. WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE DEATH WOBBLE AND THE STEERING BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE STEERING PARTS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATEWAY FORD (1055 W. ANDREW JOHNSON HIGHWAY, GREENEVILLE, TN 37745, 423-639-5151) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11174744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesPenryn, CA
POWER TRAIN
BLOWN MOTOR. BAD LIFTERS AND VALVES. EXHAUST TEMPERATURE SENSOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NO WARRANTY, I HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE ENGINE AT MY COST OF $15,000
NHTSA complaint #11081176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesPenryn, CA
ENGINE
BLOWN MOTOR. BAD LIFTERS AND VALVES. EXHAUST TEMPERATURE SENSOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NO WARRANTY, I HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE ENGINE AT MY COST OF $15,000
NHTSA complaint #11081176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 479,996 milesSchaumburg, ILFire
WHEELS
THIS VEHICLE IS SHUTTLE BUS, TRANSPORT PASSENGERS FROM CHICAGO O'HARE AIRPORT TO FOUR POINTS HOTELS AND BACK 24/7. THIS VEHICLE IS OWNED BY FOUR POINTS HOTEL AT SCHILLER PARK, IL AND I WORK AS DRIVER. ON NOVEMBER 20 2016 JUST AFTER 9 PM I WAS DRIVING THE BUS SOUTH BOUND ON MANNHEIM RD AND WHEN BREAKING TO STOP AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AT LAWRENCE AVE THE LEFT REAR END HIT THE GROUND AND THE BUS DRAGGED UNTIL REACH COMPLETE STOP. THE REAR OUTER TIER COME OFF ALONG THE (WAS FOUND QUARTER MILE NORTH) SMALL FIRE STARTED , EVACUATED PASSENGERS. ALL BOLTS SNAPPED OFF THE REAR LEFT WHEEL AND THE OUTER TIRE CAME OFF. THE BUS WAS TOUGHED TO M&M AUTOMOTIVE INC. (708 456 6629) M&M MAINTAIN THE HOTELS BUS. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE THE BUS STILL AT THE HOTEL AND CAN BE USED? BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN USED FOR WHILE
NHTSA complaint #11032574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesLivingston, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE RUNNING LIGHTS BUT NO TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE, OR FOUR WAY/EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON MY FIFTH WHEEL WHEN TOWING. THIS IS AT ANY TIME HOOKED UP TO THE TRUCK. OTHERWISE ON THE TRUCK ITSELF ALL LIGHTS WORK PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10995445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesLivingston, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE RUNNING LIGHTS BUT NO TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE, OR FOUR WAY/EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON MY FIFTH WHEEL WHEN TOWING. THIS IS AT ANY TIME HOOKED UP TO THE TRUCK. OTHERWISE ON THE TRUCK ITSELF ALL LIGHTS WORK PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10995445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,120 milesLivingston, TXFire
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE ENGINE BLEW UP. FORD REPORTED THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY GLOW PLUG WHICH FELL INTO THE CYLINDER CAUSING THE CONNECTING ROD TO BREAK AND EXIT THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. FIRE ENSUED BUT WAS SHORT LIVED.
NHTSA complaint #10972100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,072 milesEverman, TX
ENGINE
DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 75 M.P.H. (SPEED LIMIT 75) THE MOTOR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART., LUCKILY MADE IT TO SHOULDER AFTER DODGING TRAFFIC. AFTER TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP, FOUND OUT IT WAS MALFUNCTIONING EGT EXHAUST SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10677094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,600 miles765-860-4703, IN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-450. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL WAS CONTAMINATED AND THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,600.
NHTSA complaint #10658514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,579 milesSpicewood,, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
ENGINE LOGO LIGHT CAME ON; THEN RED SIGN CAME ON " STOP SAFELY NOW". I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. I WAITED 30 MINUTES OR SO AND THE ENGINE STARTED AGAIN. I DROVE STARTING AND STOPPING TO A FORD DEALER IN CLARION, PA. SLEPT IN THE TRUCK ALL NIGHT AND THE NEXT MORNING [XXX] RAN THE COMPUTER AND HIS CONCLUSION WAS THE NUMBER 8 CYLINDER INJECTOR WAS BAD AND THAT CAUSES THE HEAT SENSORS TO MALFUNCTION. HE DIDN'T HAVE THE PART BUT SUGGESTED RUNNING IT UNTIL IT CUTS OUT, LET IT COOL THEN RUN IT AGAIN. WELL AFTER ABOUT 70 MILES IT STOPPED FOR GOOD. I THEN CALLED UP MONTROSS FORD, AND THEY HAD THE INJECTOR SO I BOUGHT IT THINKING NEXT I'LL FIND THE MECHANIC, ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON I WAS WRONG. NEXT I LOOKED UP RECALLS AND I FOUND A RECALL FOR FAULTY HEAT SENSORS, THAT RECALL WAS FOR THE SAME TIME PERIOD AS MY TRUCK WAS MADE. I AM NOW SITTING ON THE SIDE OF RT. 76 WITH NO WHERE TO GO PULLING A 4 CAR TRAILER, CUSTOMERS UPSET AND MY LAST HOPE IS FORD MOTOR CO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10606677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,579 milesSpicewood,, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
ENGINE LOGO LIGHT CAME ON; THEN RED SIGN CAME ON " STOP SAFELY NOW". I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. I WAITED 30 MINUTES OR SO AND THE ENGINE STARTED AGAIN. I DROVE STARTING AND STOPPING TO A FORD DEALER IN CLARION, PA. SLEPT IN THE TRUCK ALL NIGHT AND THE NEXT MORNING [XXX] RAN THE COMPUTER AND HIS CONCLUSION WAS THE NUMBER 8 CYLINDER INJECTOR WAS BAD AND THAT CAUSES THE HEAT SENSORS TO MALFUNCTION. HE DIDN'T HAVE THE PART BUT SUGGESTED RUNNING IT UNTIL IT CUTS OUT, LET IT COOL THEN RUN IT AGAIN. WELL AFTER ABOUT 70 MILES IT STOPPED FOR GOOD. I THEN CALLED UP MONTROSS FORD, AND THEY HAD THE INJECTOR SO I BOUGHT IT THINKING NEXT I'LL FIND THE MECHANIC, ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON I WAS WRONG. NEXT I LOOKED UP RECALLS AND I FOUND A RECALL FOR FAULTY HEAT SENSORS, THAT RECALL WAS FOR THE SAME TIME PERIOD AS MY TRUCK WAS MADE. I AM NOW SITTING ON THE SIDE OF RT. 76 WITH NO WHERE TO GO PULLING A 4 CAR TRAILER, CUSTOMERS UPSET AND MY LAST HOPE IS FORD MOTOR CO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10606677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.