Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while his fianc was stopped at a stop sign, the vehicle accelerated violently after depressing the accelerator pedal, and the driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle continued accelerating while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle crashed through a yard, into a road sign, before crashing into the rear of a parked vehicle, where the vehicle came to a stop. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy upon impact. The driver sustained whiplash and soreness in various parts of the body but had not sought medical attention. A Police report was filed. The road sign was damaged. The driver coasted the vehicle back to the residence before the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. …
The contact owned a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly jerked, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and swerve into the next lane. As a result, the contact's vehicle was T-boned on the passenger's side by an oncoming vehicle. The air bags did deploy. A police report was filed, but no injuries were reported. The contact stated that although he did not seek treatment the day of the accident, he scheduled an appointment the following day after feeling soreness in a nondescript location. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently downshifted into first gear. As a result, the contact crashed into a guard rail. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact sustained an injury to his head. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while reversing the vehicle, the rearview camera turned off. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the rearview camera and instrument cluster would turn off intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that upon moving the gear shifter into reverse(R), the vehicle failed to respond, and the reverse(R) indicator light failed to illuminate. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to respond while driving from a complete stop. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into a lower or higher gear. The contact stated that the powertrain and check engine warning lights had been illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the transmission range sensor (TRS) had failed. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and upon shifting into reverse (R), the vehicle failed to respond, and the gear shift indicator light failed to illuminate. The power train warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer, where grease was added to the transmission rim; however, the failure recurred while attempting to reverse two years later. The contact stated that he continuously moved the gear shifter between the gears until the vehicle responded as needed; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring increasingly. The power train warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle would respond as needed after several attempts. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the power train warning light illuminated. The odometer and the speedometer dropped to 0, and the RPM lowered to 1,500. Additionally, the gear shifter display light was turned off. The contact veered to the side of the roadway. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle responded as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that upon driving from a complete stop, the vehicle was stuck in first gear. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, however, the failure persisted. The contact switched to manual gear and was able to continue driving. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle downshifted from 3rd gear to first gear. The contact switched to manual gear; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting into drive(D), the vehicle hesitated and then lurched forward while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the shift indicator failed to show what gear was selected. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while shifted into reverse(R). The contact stated that there was a failure while shifting from reverse into drive(D). The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitant while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and then shifted into drive (D). The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission range sensor needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V444000 (Power Train). The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the wrench symbol illuminated. The contact stated that the speedometer went to 0 MPH. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact pulled off the highway turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle then started driving normally however, several miles later the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that when the failure reoccurred, the transmission failed to upshift past the third gear. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle drove normally. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, and DTC: P0720 was retrieved, which indicated a failure with the output shaft speed sensor. The contact was informed that the output shaft speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under any unknown recall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with rack and pinion failure. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. While driving 50 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear and the rear wheels locked up. The contact stated that while in third gear, the vehicle shifted to fourth gear unexpectedly. The transmission failed to shift above fifth gear. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift out of first gear. After turning off the vehicle, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the wrench symbol was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the failure was associated with the sensor. The transmission sensor was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The failure persisted over time. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 f-150 vehicles manufactured from September 9, 2011, through September 22, 2011, and model year 2012 f-250, f-350, f-450 and f-550 heavy duty vehicles manufactured from September 12, 2011, through September 22, 2011.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake shift interlock switch function and replace the switch if necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on December 22, 2011.
NHTSA investigations
Unexpected Transmission Downshift
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles.
Transmission complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 828 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Ford F-150, 38% of the model year's 2,193 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford F-150 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-075 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), Feb 11, 2019); NHTSA recall 16V-248 (automatic transmission, Apr 27, 2016); NHTSA recall 11V-582 (automatic transmission, Dec 8, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford F-150 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 3 fires and 6 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.