NHTSA vehicle safety data

2011 Ford F-450 Recalls & Complaints

The 2011 Ford F-450 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 9 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Ford F-450. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2011 Ford F-450 owner complaints

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Ford F-450, describing incidents dated June 28, 2014 to May 28, 2022.

Most-cited components

Engine 4 complaints
Steering 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Of the 9 complaints on file, 2 report a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11499192 · Filed December 28, 2022
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…
ODI #11174744 · Filed February 6, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-450. WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE DEATH WOBBLE AND THE STEERING BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE STEERING PARTS…
ODI #11081176 · Filed March 26, 2018
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

Read all 9 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2011 Ford F-450 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Recall Query RQ14-005: Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown
Closed March 15, 2016
- Recall 15V-175

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

PTO Pressure Switch Oil Leak may Result in Fire

NHTSA #14V498000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported August 13, 2014 · PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co.

Potentially affected: 3 vehicles

Repair completion: 0% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified November 12, 2014 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Ambulance Engine Stall

NHTSA #13V535000 · Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported October 30, 2013 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 2,951 vehicles

Repair completion: 87.66% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 13S10 · Owners notified November 25, 2013

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2011 Ford F-450. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

9 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Ford F-450.

Steering

ODI #11499192

Incident: May 28, 2022 · Filed: December 28, 2022

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 and the contact was advised each time to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

Steering

ODI #11174744

Incident: July 1, 2018 · Filed: February 6, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-450. WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE DEATH WOBBLE AND THE STEERING BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE STEERING PARTS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATEWAY FORD (1055 W. ANDREW JOHNSON HIGHWAY, GREENEVILLE, TN 37745, 423-639-5151) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Power Train; Engine

ODI #11081176

Incident: November 20, 2017 · Filed: March 26, 2018

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

Wheels

ODI #11032574

Fire

Incident: November 20, 2016 · Filed: October 9, 2017

THIS VEHICLE IS SHUTTLE BUS, TRANSPORT PASSENGERS FROM CHICAGO O'HARE AIRPORT TO FOUR POINTS HOTELS AND BACK 24/7. THIS VEHICLE IS OWNED BY FOUR POINTS HOTEL AT SCHILLER PARK, IL AND I WORK AS DRIVER. ON NOVEMBER 20 2016 JUST AFTER 9 PM I WAS DRIVING THE BUS SOUTH BOUND ON MANNHEIM RD AND WHEN BREAKING TO STOP AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AT LAWRENCE AVE THE LEFT REAR END HIT THE GROUND AND THE BUS DRAGGED UNTIL REACH COMPLETE STOP. THE REAR OUTER TIER COME OFF ALONG THE (WAS FOUND QUARTER MILE NORTH) SMALL FIRE STARTED , EVACUATED PASSENGERS. ALL BOLTS SNAPPED OFF THE REAR LEFT WHEEL AND THE OUTER TIRE CAME OFF. THE BUS WAS TOUGHED TO M&M AUTOMOTIVE INC. (708 456 6629) M&M MAINTAIN THE HOTELS BUS. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE THE BUS STILL AT THE HOTEL AND CAN BE USED? BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN USED FOR WHILE

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #10995445

Incident: May 21, 2017 · Filed: June 16, 2017

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.

Engine

ODI #10972100

Fire

Incident: April 1, 2017 · Filed: April 12, 2017

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.

Engine

ODI #10677094

Incident: January 8, 2015 · Filed: January 21, 2015

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

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10658514

Incident: October 4, 2014 · Filed: November 17, 2014

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10606677

Incident: June 28, 2014 · Filed: June 28, 2014

ENGINE LOGO LIGHT CAME ON; THEN RED SIGN CAME ON " STOP SAFELY NOW". I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. I WAITED 30 MINUTES OR SO AND THE ENGINE STARTED AGAIN. I DROVE STARTING AND STOPPING TO A FORD DEALER IN CLARION, PA. SLEPT IN THE TRUCK ALL NIGHT AND THE NEXT MORNING [XXX] RAN THE COMPUTER AND HIS CONCLUSION WAS THE NUMBER 8 CYLINDER INJECTOR WAS BAD AND THAT CAUSES THE HEAT SENSORS TO MALFUNCTION. HE DIDN'T HAVE THE PART BUT SUGGESTED RUNNING IT UNTIL IT CUTS OUT, LET IT COOL THEN RUN IT AGAIN. WELL AFTER ABOUT 70 MILES IT STOPPED FOR GOOD. I THEN CALLED UP MONTROSS FORD, AND THEY HAD THE INJECTOR SO I BOUGHT IT THINKING NEXT I'LL FIND THE MECHANIC, ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON I WAS WRONG. NEXT I LOOKED UP RECALLS AND I FOUND A RECALL FOR FAULTY HEAT SENSORS, THAT RECALL WAS FOR THE SAME TIME PERIOD AS MY TRUCK WAS MADE. I AM NOW SITTING ON THE SIDE OF RT. 76 WITH NO WHERE TO GO PULLING A 4 CAR TRAILER, CUSTOMERS UPSET AND MY LAST HOPE IS FORD MOTOR CO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Other Ford F-450 model years

Check your 2011 Ford F-450 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford F-450 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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