Most common 2011 Ford E-150 problems
Share of the 23 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford E-150 complaints by model year
Best E-150 years: 2009, 2014, 2015. Years to avoid: 2001, 1997, 1999, 1995, 1996. Compare all years →
2011 Ford E-150 recalls (10)
Equipment adaptive/mobility
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.
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.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
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,…
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.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
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.
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.
Fuel system, other › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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.
Fuel system, other › Storage
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).
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.
Equipment
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.
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.
Show 4 more recalls
Fuel system, other › Fuel injection system
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.
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.
Visibility › Windshield
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.
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.
Fuel system, other › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust
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.
What 2011 Ford E-150 owners say
Steering
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.
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.
Transmission & drivetrain
At any speed it will shift into 1st gear without warning. Speedometer will fluctuate between 0-65mph. Rear wheels lock up, and you will loose control of vehicle. A couple hours ago, on the freeway it shirted to 1st gear, locked up the rear end, and the car behind me crashed into center divider trying to avoid me. This lock up has happened 4 times on freeway and many times on standard roadway. I took it to Ford and they said it needed a re-flash of the computer, and that would fix the problem. That was on Saturday 2/18, and it just did it again Monday 2/20. I ended up facing the wrong way on the rainy freeway. It is now at the Ford dealer again. They say it could be covered under the recall but are not sure. This is very dangerous!!! Someone will loose their life!!
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.
Engine & cooling
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.
2011 e-150 econoline. Consumer seeking arbitration for vehicle. The consumer stated the vehicle had an oil leak. The rear main seal was replaced twice, the transmission would lock up, the steering gear box was leaking fluid, the battery was replaced.
2011 Ford E-150 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Van.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Ford E-150 a good car?
Based on 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 E-150 rates average: 1.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the E-150 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Ford E-150?
The steering — 5 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (5) and engine & cooling (4).
How many recalls does the 2011 Ford E-150 have?
There are 10 recalls for the 2011 Ford E-150, the most recent from November 4, 2015 (equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford E-150?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2014 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 1997, 1999, 1995 and 1996. See the full Ford E-150 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford E-150 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 38,000 miles; 55% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.