Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Ford F-250 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This vehicles has experienced two incidents of the failure of the egt exhaust temperature sensors. The first in oct. 2014 the engine light came on, took the vehicle to the dealer where the issue was diagnosed and fixed. At the time I was a surprised to discover the purpose of the sensors, but not overly concerned. In April 2014, leaving town on a Sunday morning with a horse trailer in tow, at 40 MPH on a city street received a message that told me to pull over safely and within 60 seconds the engine shut down leaving me in the right lane of a busy street with two horse in the trailer. No restart, called a friend to come help with the trailer and aaa to tow the vehicle to the dealer. This time a different sensor failed, with no warning. …
While driving my f250 at 30 MPH in town a warning alarm went off followed by display saying stop engine safely now. As I attempted to slow down for a red light the truck totally died in the intersection. The vehicle would not start and was totally incapacitated in the middle of the road at 8:30 pm in the rain with my wife and 3 children in the vehicle. Myself and 2 other guys were able to push it out of the intersection through traffic. I had to call for a wrecker and have it towed. The Ford dealer fixed it the next morning and advised it was a faulty egt exhaust sensor. Apparently this is common and they advised there is 4 of those sensors on the truck. It appears to be a huge safety issue to stall the truck while it is moving with no way to get it to a safe place to stop.
Engine - while driving on a highway, went to pass a car and the engine light came on and the message was the engine will be shutting down. I pulled to the side of the road and the truck turned itself off. What the Ford mechanic said the #4 fuel injector stayed wide open, therefor burning up the piston. The truck had 128,000. Miles. It is sad that a small part like that can cause an engine failure. Had to buy a new motor ($15,000. And they would only warranty it for 2 years.) was told I could have my truck back in 5 days. It took 5 wks to get my truck back with the new engine. Picked it up at 4 pm on Wednesday. Thursday at 9:30 am check engine light came on. The check engine light has come on three more times.
On 1/21/15 I attempted to start my 2011 Ford f 250 super duty truck. The vehicle had been parked for approximately 4 hours at the parking garage where I work. The vehicle would not start and had to be towed to randall reed Ford in humble, tx. The technician has stated that the problem is the a faulty engine exhaust gas temperature sensor which is located behind the DPF. He mentioned this is a common issue with the 6.7 power stroke diesel motors. He is now recommending that all four sensors be replaced to the turne of over $900. I see that a recal is in place for the same model years in the f 350 and bigger with the same engine. The recall needs to be expanded to include the f 250.
This issue is around the diesel exhaust fluid system - specifically the reductant heater assembly but has also now affected the fuel pump and associated emissions. The problem is intermittent but occurs when the temperature falls below 30 degrees. This care has been in dealership repeatedly over the past 14 months for this issue. Part of the design of this system failure is to depower the engine which nearly caused an accident while I was driving. I have exhausted my abilities and patience with Ford motor company and now submit it to you for redress. See attached pdf document for full details..
The 2011 f250 super duty has experienced three instances of stalling out at random times. The first incident on February 13th resulted in damage to the truck through vehicle pipes from another vehicle flying loose off the top rack and hitting the vehicle. This resulted in damage to the vehicle. In the 30 days since then, there have been two other instances of random stalls and engine shut down that have occurred. It requires a restart of the engine. The dealership has had the vehicle on multiple occasions but has not been able to diagnose the cause of the random shut down.
While driving at a speed of 50 miles per hour the truck started losing power, was able to get to side of the highway as it lost all power and shut down was unable to restart truck. Got truck towed home and went checking the motor and the antifreeze was completely dry but no leaking under motor and no warnings of lights flashed when truck shut down.. Truck is serviced every 3 months and checked at home regularly. Truck was looked at by a ase mechanic and the motor seized
While driving approx 60 MPH a message popped up on the display saying "stop when safe". While trying to get off the road the engine died and left me with no power brakes or steering. Had to be pushed out of the intersection. Would not restart. Truck weighs 8300 pounds. 1 hour prior I was going over a steep mountain pass. Half an hour later I was in 100+ degree desert with no cell service. Either one could have been a nightmare ending. This must be addressed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford f-250 SD. While driving, the "pull over safely now" warning indicator illuminated and the engine shut off without warning. The contact was able to manually bypass the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the egt sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford f250sd. The contact stated that while parked with the engine on, smoke started to emit from under the hood and shortly after the vehicle was engulfed into flames. The fire department was notified and report was filed. No injuries were reported. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,500. Updated 11/9/12 updated 11/30/2012
Engine complaints in other F-250 SD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Ford F-250 SD?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Ford F-250 SD, 20% of the model year's 122 complaints. The component named most often is engine › diesel (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford F-250 SD engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2011 Ford F-250 SD. 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-250 SD engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.