Most common 2011 Ford F-550 problems
Share of the 12 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford F-550 complaints by model year
Best F-550 years: 2013, 2016. Years to avoid: 2020, 2019, 2017. Compare all years →
2011 Ford F-550 recalls (5)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
All Wheel Drive Equipment Mfg., Inc. (All Wheel) is recalling one model year 2011 Ford F-550 truck with a 6.8L gasoline engine manufactured May 14, 2010, to May 28, 2010. The affected vehicle is equipped with a PTO Assembly Pressure Switch, part number FR67, used with power take off (PTO) assemblies for Ford F-550 chassis.
Remedy: All Wheel has notified the owner and will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. Owners may contact All Wheel customer service at 1-800-311-4778.
Equipment
PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co., (PJ's) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis modified by PJ's and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
Remedy: PJ's has notified owners and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2014.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
J.C. Madigan, Inc. (J.C. Madigan) is recalling one model year 2011 Ford F-550, and one model year 2013 Ford F-450 chassis with a 6.8L gasoline engine dump trucks equipped with certain PTO Assembly Pressure Switches, part number 30T37594, manufactured June 2009 through June 2013, used in power take off (PTO) assemblies.
Remedy: J.C. Madigan will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact J.C.
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
Almared, Inc., dba A-1 Alternative Fuel Systems, is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-550 transit buses manufactured May 2011 through April 2013, altered to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). In the affected vehicles, the brackets securing the passenger side CNG fuel tank may break.
Remedy: Almared, Inc. has notified owners and all affected vehicles have been remedied, free of charge. Owners may contact Almared at 1-559-485-4427.
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 F-350/450/550 Ambulance Package vehicles manufactured February 22, 2010, through October 19, 2012 and equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine. Due to an exhaust sensor problem, the vehicles may experience loss of power followed by an engine stall.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the exhaust gas temperature sensor, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2013.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2011 Ford F-550:
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.
CNG Fuel Container Securement
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is aware of 1 incident related to the alleged defect. By letter dated January 10, 2014, Almared, Inc. (doing business as A-1 Alternative Fuel Systems) has notified ODI that it has conducted a safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 14V-040) to address a safety defect in 18 model year 2011-2012 Ford F-550 transit buses manufactured between May 2011 and April 2013.
What 2011 Ford F-550 owners say
Engine & cooling
The contact's local fire department owns a 2011 Ford F-550. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled out as several warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. The contact made multiple attempts to restart the engine but the failure persisted. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic was performed. The mechanic discovered diesel fuel in the oil reservoir which had resulted in engine failure. Upon investigation, the mechanic referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty or recall. The manufacturer then referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 6,500.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-550. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a failure in cylinder #8 and with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000. The VIN was not available.
Fuel & propulsion system
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled shortly after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the interior lining of the fuel tank shed into the fuel tank and damaged the engine. The dealer stated that both fuel tanks would have to be replaced and the engine would need to be cleaned. Two years later, after the contact's vehicle was out of warranty, the failure recurred. The dealer confirmed the vehicle would require the same revisions as before; however, it would be performed at the contact's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000. Updated 02/05/16 updated 02/11/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford f-550. The contact stated he received a notice that the vehicle had two linings in the internal part of the vehicle which both unexpectedly detached and contaminated the fuel in fuel tank. The contact stated the failure caused the engine to fail. The vehicle was towed to a unknown local dealer for a diagnostic testing which took three months. The diagnosis results was contamination from the fuel tank. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 24,000.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Ford F-550 a good car?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 F-550 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the F-550 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 F-550?
The engine & cooling — 7 complaints, 58% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › diesel. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (4) and body & structure (1).
How many recalls does the 2011 Ford F-550 have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2011 Ford F-550, the most recent from January 30, 2015 (engine). 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 F-550?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2019 and 2017. See the full Ford F-550 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford F-550 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 23,000 miles; 80% 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.