Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 the vehicle was parked, the sunroof assembly switch failed to function as intended. The contact pressed the switch to open the sunroof and the sunroof assembly fractured. The contact stated that a plastic piece from the sunroof trac fell into the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured sunroof rail. The contact was informed that the sunroof rail needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, due to the failure, the contact stated that water was leaking into the interior of the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rear windshield failed to defrost as needed. In addition, the contact's son noticed a crack had formed in the rear windshield causing moisture to enter the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed that the windshield would be covered under warranty. The dealer replaced the defrost switch and the rear windshield; however, the contact was charged for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Despite the repair that was performed on the vehicle, the failure returned, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 65,496.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and coming to a stop, the vehicle downshifted from 4th gear to 1st gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive from the complete stop. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that the windshield wipers would continue to move after being turned off. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the driver's side side-view mirror detached from the vehicle and was hanging down tethered by the wiring harness. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 196,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that there was a crack on the passenger's side rear windshield. There was no impact to the rear windshield that could have caused the crack. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Back passenger side rear window shattered was in one piece until I closed my door while all other windows were closed which resulted in the window falling inside of truck and in back bed ford states no recalls and never heard of it being a problem however when I look online at other complaints it seems to not only being isolated to me a coworker of mine had a newer model and hers shatter last year same thing was told to her by our local dealer
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford f-150. While driving approximately 5 MPH and depressed the brake pedal to stop at a stop sign, the anti lock brake warning indicator illuminated. The brake pedal was pumped and the vehicle slid into the intersection. The failure recurred on two other occasions. On the third occasion, while driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal failed to respond when depressed. The brake pedal was pumped as the contact slid into an intersection. The contact clipped the rear of a Jeep that was traveling approximately 60 MPH, causing the Jeep to flip over twice before landing upright. The contact and the driver of the other vehicle sustained injuries that required medical attention and were transported by ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop, but the failure was unable to be determined. The damage to the vehicle was repaired. …
Vehicle parked overnight on city street. Started vehicle in ~45 degree weather and activated rear defrost. Over-current through defrost caused windshield to shatter. Small amounts of smoke were produced, vehicle was turned off.
At approximately 8 in the morning on 12/2/2018 I was at a stop getting ready to make a left turn, I had the window defroster/heat on, as well as the rear window defroster. Over the last year the rear window defroster light has illuminated intermittently but the defroster has always worked. As I started to move the vehicle, I heard a loud pop and thought someone had thrown something at my truck, but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. When I got to my destination less than 5 minutes and about a mile later, I got out and looked at the roof for any sign of something hitting the roof, when I noticed a steady trail of smoke coming from the rear window area, noticed that the rubber had melted and the passenger side rear window had shattered completely. …
Early one morning when it was around 27 degrees out I started my 2011 f-150 and let it run about 10 minutes to warm up. I used my remote start, which turns on the window defrosters. Within 3 min of leaving for work I heard a sound similar to a breaking light bulb. Once I got to work I happened to move my rear view mirror and noticed my driver side rear window ( 3 part, double pane motorized rear window with defrost) was shattered on both sides (panes) I am 1 of thousands of people who apparently have had the same issue. Ford does not cover the glass on there vehicles in any way shape or form, even on there newest models, and apparently refuses to fix or rather, replace these windows when damaged by there inappropriately adjusted defroster. I believe this is a serious safety hazard. I frequently take my nephews and 2 year old niece places in this vehicle. …
Window & Wiper complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2011 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 129 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2011 Ford F-150, 6% of the model year's 2,193 complaints. The component named most often is glass, side/rear (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford F-150 window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2011 Ford F-150, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford F-150 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 3 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.