What 2,137 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Ford F-150 Super Cab

On or about March 26 2025 while operating this truck at about 35 MPH the 6 speed transmission shifted to first gear causing the tires to chirp the vehicle to a near stop and red line the engine. This is a known defect that Ford supposedly fixed years ago but apparently was not a proper fix. The vehicle was taken to Medford Ford, Medford NJ on 3/31/2025 where the dealer said transmission should be replaced my expense for $8500 plus tax and the cost of estimate of approximately $202.63. They did not offer an option to repair an otherwise perfectly functioning transmission. This makes me feel like a very unsafe approach. My experience caused such an abrupt stop that under different circumstances there could have been a serious accident.

NHTSA ODI 11651950

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unintendedly downshifted to first gear, causing the vehicle to lose motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart and reset. The contact stated that the failure had recurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an output shaft speed sensor failure. The contact was informed that the transmission lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. No further information was available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 133,456.

NHTSA ODI 11652148

2011 F-150 super crew Laredo is sifting gears down by its self at high spends causing immediate car speedometer cluster going to zero and not be able to accelerate. There was a customer satisfaction program 19N01 it was 10 yr 150,0000 miles

NHTSA ODI 11651856

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

NHTSA ODI 11650391

Driving normal speed and normal RPM when all a sudden the RPM's will go up double than what it was and the speedometer drops to 0, It feels like truck in down shifting , but the RPM's stay high. No engine light comes on, no other warning. This has happen on several ocassions

NHTSA ODI 11650269

Rear left axle snapped in half. Heard hissing noise which turned out to be fluids spraying. Purchased vehicle from Anderson Ford dealership in Kingman in 2022 with 95995 miles on it. I've only put 12,000 miles on it in 3 years. I'm [XXX] and do not drive aggressively. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11649995

While driving on highway the transmission will bang really hard when shifting upshifting and downshifting while vehicle is in motion. This is a safety concern. I seen that there is over a million Ford vehicles recalled over this same problem. I need my vehicle put on this recall list immediately. This is an emergency and I will be keeping copies of all documents I sent and receive for further measures. Thank you for your time and please contact me back as soon as possible.

NHTSA ODI 11649880

vehicle puts itself into theft mode and wont crank or anything. There is a customer satisfaction program Campaign# 19N01 that ford will not honor says vehicle is too old. it is a 2011 and has 105000 miles currently at the shop for repair. There is a software recall that effects this but the issue itself is not covered

NHTSA ODI 11649691

Brake system alarm. When the mechanic put the computer reader on it, it’s saying it’s a vacuum issue. This issue has been recalled on several 2011 FordF150’s, but when I look up my VIN, it says there isn’t a recall on mine

NHTSA ODI 11646645

Transmission light came on and downshifted to first gear

NHTSA ODI 11646322

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly shifted from third gear to first gear. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed main control lead frame. The contact was informed that the main control lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under any recall or special coverage programs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

NHTSA ODI 11644618

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving on an access road 30 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear, and the “Maintenance Required” warning light was illuminated. The contact immediately stopped the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and driven to a local independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the output shaft speed sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.

NHTSA ODI 11643658

The contact owned a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at 15 MPH and making a left turn, in the middle of the turn, the instrument panel turned off, and the vehicle jerked forward before losing automotive power. The contact was not able to clear the intersection in time and the vehicle crashed into another vehicle on the passenger’s side. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled over onto the driver’s side. The contact was thrown halfway through the window while the vehicle was flipping over onto the side of the vehicle, and the contact lay underneath the vehicle. Soldiers arrived at the scene and lifted the vehicle to release the contact out of the driver-side door. The air bags had deployed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The contact was unaware if a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact sustained a crushed pelvis, six fractured ribs, and nerve damage. Medical attention was required for the injuries. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

NHTSA ODI 11643389

I’ve had this specific issue happened a few times over the last year. Basically, my truck will get stuck in first gear, a wrench will pop up on the dashboard, and my odometer will go blank. Usually, my truck will stay in first gear until I put it in park and shut off the truck (to kind of “reset it”) and then crank it back up. Sometimes it takes multiple cycles of this. One time, I got stuck in third gear and had to use manual to shift it down to first gear (while driving), and then do the steps previously mentioned to “reset it”. Because of this, my truck has thrown a P0720 code. After research, it seems like the problem is with the molded lead frame. I have contacted multiple Ford dealerships, and they are definitely aware of the issue because each time they tell me that this issue used to be covered under warranty. The problem is, every dealership has said that this warranty expired some time ago (before I own the truck and before this started happening). Now they are saying the only way to prevent it is to spend $1600 for them to fix it. I don’t have $1600 to drop on a safety issue that is beyond my control. Especially since Ford knows about it. I have a video showing the last time it happened. I really hope this gets fixed because I do not want to be driving 60 miles an hour on the highway and suddenly drop into first gear.

NHTSA ODI 11642456

On my.2011 ford f150 xlt the electrical power steering asssist failed completely while driving in traffic... It was incredibly hard to maintain control of the vehicle ... I had to use all my strength to get the wheel to turn what so ever. It was u credibly lucky that I didn't cause an accident because it made me steer into oncoming traffic and would.not let the vehicle.tur. the opposite direction. ..the warning light said service advance Trac and then said power steering assist failure.

NHTSA ODI 11641353

Transmission downshifted to 1st gear causing the rear wheel to lock momentarily while driving 40mph on the highway and then shifted back to 5th gear. Transmission will occasionally stay on 3rd or 5th gear when at a complete stop. Dealership refuses to remedy recall issue for my truck. I have complained multiple times.

NHTSA ODI 11640464

While operating vehicle at highway speeds the speedometer suddenly drops to zero and the transmission downshifts to first gear without warning. Apparently a failure of the transmission speed sensor. (?) A driver unaware of this issue that continues to drive results in excessive heat and pressure developing in the differential..A recall has been issued by NHTSA but Ford and the local dealer refused to address the problem because my VIN was not included in the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11640518

Vehicle suddenly downshifts to a lower gear slowing the vehicle down rapidly and surprisingly

NHTSA ODI 11638950

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted. The contact stated that the wheels were shaking. Upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift out of first gear. The contact stated that the odometer was inoperable. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as designed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the powertrain warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V248000 (Power Train). The local was dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local dealer, Hacienda Ford of Kingsville (2501 US-77, Kingsville, TX 78363); but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer and the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11636483

I have a wrench showing up in the screen, the gears downshift,the gears shift from 3 to 6

NHTSA ODI 11635252

The back window in my truck shattered right as I was exiting it in the garage. After it happened I read online that this is a very widespread issue with these trucks. My rear defroster was turned on. I haven’t replaced the window yet. PLEASE make Ford do a recall for this. It’s happening to way too many trucks solely because of poor design. People shouldn’t have to foot the high cost of replacement. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11633875

I was driving and my truck went into a limp mode. I pulled to the side of the road to try and figure out the problem but I had no clue. I shut off my truck and started it back up and everything was normal. When I started driving back on the road again about a mile from where I pulled over at I was going about 40mph and all of a sudden my truck rear tires locked up and I noticed my gear shifted to 1st then went back to 6th gear.

NHTSA ODI 11633574

Power Assist Fault warning is displayed and the power steering stops working while driving causing a dangerous situation. Stopping the truck and turning off the ignition and restarting it clears it. This condition is becoming more frequent and harder to clear. The last occurence was 12/28/2024. It happened about 10-12 times in a row.

NHTSA ODI 11633305

Ford has a "safety compliance" which has an expiration date of 10 years or 150,000 whichever was first. How is that even allowed? A major issue with the transmission range sensor which doesn't show a driver what gear there in...the lights all disappear so driver doesn't know if there in P, R, D, N, etc...its extremely dangerous! It also forces my truck to go into limp mode which is very dangerous especially when driving down a highway at 55. The truck was "reprogrammed" a few years back to stop the sudden downshift issue from occurring but it didn't eliminate that problem. Do you know how scary it is to be driving down the highway at 55-60 WITH YOUR TODDLER IN THE BACK...and then your truck suddenly on its own shifts down to 1st gear and there's nothing driver csn do but hope they don't hit or get hit by another vehicle?? These are just a few major issues I've had with the truck since buying it 5 years ago. I've barely drove rhe thing since the sudden downshift occurred and could have killed my son and I. The back window quit working. The transmission seems to have alot of issues and I was told because I am past 10 years..yet still under the 150,000 miles id have to pay full price for the backordered part through Ford only which was quoted at $470.00 and that doesn't include any labor. Ford is letting people down majorly. I wish I never bought the truck because it was so exciting to finally have a nice vehicle only to be let down in numerous areas. I drive my 1989 suburban more than my truck due to safety issues and because I am not going to spend thousands on it for an issue that they know has been a major problem for so many customers but yet it wasnt ever an official recall. Total BS!! I can't even believe they can get away with such issues. It's appalling and I'm beyond disappointed with my basically useless truck.

NHTSA ODI 11632248

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 202,000.

NHTSA ODI 11631243