CSR

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2011 Ford F-450

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

9

Complaints

0

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2011 Ford F-450 have filed 9 safety complaints with NHTSA between June 2014 and December 2022. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 3 of them (33%). The typical failure was reported at 79,072 miles, the median across the 9 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 2 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (2)

EQUIPMENT

14V498000 · August 13, 2014

The defect
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.
The risk
The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
The 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. Owners may contact PJ's customer service at 1-866-475-8782.

PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co. · up to 3 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE

13V535000 · October 30, 2013

The defect
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.
The risk
An unexpected engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, if this were to occur when the ambulance is transporting a patient, there is an increased risk of injury to the patient.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the exhaust gas temperature sensor, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S10.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,951 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown

RQ14005

Closed recall query · opened January 13, 2015 · closed March 15, 2016 · led to recall 15V175000

the electrical system, the engine, the engine and its cooling

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. Ford manufactured approximately 555,985 subject vehicles between February 22, 2010 and January 30, 2015 that may be affected by defective EGT sensors and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration. The subject vehicles are equipped with four (4) EGT sensors to monitor engine operating conditions. An EGT sensor fault may produce false exhaust over-temperature signals. If these signals are produced, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) implements a Failure Management Effects Mode (FMEM) and the driver receives a Stop Safely Now (SSN) system warning on the instrument cluster message center. The FMEM triggers a 70% reduction in available engine power over a period of no more than 45 seconds, during which it may not be possible to accelerate or maintain vehicle speed. The PCM then commands the engine to shut down when vehicle speed reaches approximately 1 mph. There is no immediate restart capability. Depending on the PCM software calibration, ignition key position and ambient temperature conditions, the engine may not restart until the end of a 10-60 minute cool down period.Ford and its component supplier(s) made numerous changes to the PCM software calibration and the design, material and manufacture of the EGT sensors over the period of subject vehicle production. This continuous product improvement affected vehicle performance regarding the alleged defect. Ford acknowledges the defect condition in the subject vehicles but argues that an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety is limited to Ambulance Package and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles where commanded shutdown could impact emergency response and patient care. Ford also argues that the defect trend is in decline. Ford also initiated a new safety recall (15V-175) to address the 13V-535 remedy concerns in the Ambulance Package vehicles and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles. The 15V-175 remedy reprograms the PCM with a new software calibration that stops a single EGT sensor fault to cause the vehicle to enter the FMEM shutdown mode.Ford also initiated an EPA emissions recall (14E03) for all subject vehicles that reprograms the PCM with the software calibration employed in safety recall 15V-175. Finally, Ford initiated a Customer Satisfaction Program (15M01) providing extended warranty coverage of 8 years or 80,000 miles for the the EGT sensors on certain MY2011-2012 subject vehicles.Due to the EPA emissions recall, that had a 66.6% completion rate in Ford's December 2015 progress report to the EPA, the defect trend is in decline. ODI is not aware of any crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleged defect.ODI believes the alleged defect poses a safety risk but notes that the EPA emissions recall is addressing the safety problem.Compelling issuance of a duplicate recall would not represent a wise use of agency resources.Accordingly, this Recall Query is closed.This action is not a finding that no defect exists and NHTSA will take further action if such action is warranted.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 9.

ENGINE 3 33%
STEERING 2 22%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1 11%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 11%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 11%
POWER TRAIN 1 11%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 11%
WHEELS 1 11%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 3.

2014 2017 2022
2014 to 2022

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

fire · 68,120 miles

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE ENGINE BLEW UP. FORD REPORTED THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY GLOW PLUG WHICH FELL INTO THE CYLINDER CAUSING THE CONNECTING ROD TO BREAK AND EXIT THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. FIRE ENSUED BUT WAS SHORT LIVED.

NHTSA complaint 10972100. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

54,000 miles

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-450. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel started to shake abnormally. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while accelerating at high speeds, or while driving in inclement weather, the steering wheel started to shake uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to three different dealers where the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a different dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that unknown steering parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure

NHTSA complaint 11499192, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

55,000 miles

BLOWN MOTOR. BAD LIFTERS AND VALVES. EXHAUST TEMPERATURE SENSOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NO WARRANTY, I HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE ENGINE AT MY COST OF $15,000

NHTSA complaint 11081176. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

87,000 miles

I HAVE RUNNING LIGHTS BUT NO TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE, OR FOUR WAY/EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON MY FIFTH WHEEL WHEN TOWING. THIS IS AT ANY TIME HOOKED UP TO THE TRUCK. OTHERWISE ON THE TRUCK ITSELF ALL LIGHTS WORK PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint 10995445. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

79,072 miles

DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 75 M.P.H. (SPEED LIMIT 75) THE MOTOR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART., LUCKILY MADE IT TO SHOULDER AFTER DODGING TRAFFIC. AFTER TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP, FOUND OUT IT WAS MALFUNCTIONING EGT EXHAUST SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10677094. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

77,600 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-450. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL WAS CONTAMINATED AND THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,600.

NHTSA complaint 10658514. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford F-450

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2020 24 1
2019 19 4
2018 10 3
2017 20 4
2012 14 4

Other 2011 Ford models

Every Ford on this site — 348 vehicles, 1210 recall campaigns and 10 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

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