Is the 2011 Ford E-150 reliable?

The 2011 Ford E-150 has 30 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Ford E-150?

Top problems: STEERING (5 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (5 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Ford E-150?

Yes, there are 12 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, EQUIPMENT, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Ford E-150?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Ford E-150 is approximately $1,366/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Ford E-150

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Ford E-150 has 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.1x the segment average of 14. The most common issue is steering problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: this vehicle, a 2011 e-150 ford van wagon. steering becomes uncontrollable starting at 50 mph and becomes progressively worse as speed increases to 75 mph. the 2 prior incidences referenced above occurred between 50-75 mph. any slight adjustments by driver, especially at 70 mph, creates sway conduc. There are 12 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

5 complaints

17%

• THIS VEHICLE, A 2011 E-150 FORD VAN WAGON. STEERING BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE STARTING AT 50 MPH AND BECOMES PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS SPEED INCREASES TO 75 MPH. THE 2 PRIOR INCIDENCES REFERENCED ABOVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 50-75 MPH. ANY SLIGHT ADJUSTMENTS BY DRIVER, ESPECIALLY AT 70 MPH, CREATES SWAY CONDUC
• 2011 E-150 ECONOLINE. CONSUMER SEEKING ARBITRATION FOR VEHICLE. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK. THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD LOCK UP, THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS LEAKING FLUID, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *JB
• THE "SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK" WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON SEVERAL TIMES SINCE MY PURCHASE OF THIS USED VEHICLE 3 MONTHS AGO. I TOOK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS THIS MORNING AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING GEAR BOX NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $1500. IT WAS ADDITIONALLY EXPLAI

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THIS VEHICLE, A 2011 E-150 FORD VAN WAGON. STEERING BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE STARTING AT 50 MPH AND BECOMES PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS SPEED INCREASES TO 75 MPH. THE 2 PRIOR INCIDENCES REFERENCED ABOVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 50-75 MPH. ANY SLIGHT ADJUSTMENTS BY DRIVER, ESPECIALLY AT 70 MPH, CREATES SWAY CONDUC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Ford E-150

Based on 27 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 37K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 38K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 35K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (12)

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE04/03/2014

Landi Renzo USA is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified January 2, 2011, through February 24, 2014 to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). In the affected vehicles, the left and right rear brackets that support the rear CNG cylinder may fail, allowing the cylinder to dislodge from the vehicle.

Risk: If the cylinder dislodges, a CNG leak may result, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Landi Renzo USA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the side arm brackets, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2014. Owners may contact Landi Renzo USA at 1-855-526-3400.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Ford E-150

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,366

Full coverage / month

$114

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1366

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford E-150 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2011 E-150, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 30 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: THIS VEHICLE, A 2011 E-150 FORD VAN WAGON. STEERING BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE STARTING AT 50 MPH AND BECOMES PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS SPEED INCREASES TO 75 MPH. THE 2 PRIOR INCIDENCES REFERENCED ABOVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 50-75 MPH. ANY SLIGHT ADJUSTMENTS BY DRIVER, ESPECIALLY AT 70 MPH, CREATES SWAY CONDUC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: THIS TRUCK STARTED SHUTTERING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND PUTS THE TRUCK INTO REDUCED POWER AND TRUCK WILL NOT GO. TRUCK HAS DONE THIS NOW SINCE AROUND 25K. IT WAS BOUGHT WITH A EXTENDED WARRANTY,TOOK TRUCK BACK TO DEALER THEY PUT A NEW COIL PACK ON FIXED IT FOR ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES,REALL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: DRIVING NEW F150 FORD (MY BROTHERS TRUCK) ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING, HAD TOWED TO FORD IN SULLIVAN, MO WHERE THE NEXT MORNING A MECHANIC BLEW UP THE ENGINE DURING TEST DRIVE.....WAS TOLD WARRANTY COVERED EXPENSES AND RENTAL AND REPAIRS, 3 MONTHS LATER TOLD NO SORRY YOU PAY THE CUSTOMER.....LIED TO BY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: MY FORD DEALER REPORTS THAT A SQUIRREL CHEWED THROUGH THE (PLASTIC) FUEL LINE OF MY 2011 FORD F 150, LEAKING GAS, RESULTING IN A POOL OF FUEL ON THE TOP/EXTERIOR OF THE FUEL TANK. OSTENSIBLY THE SQUIRREL ALSO CHEWED, BUT DID NOT CHEW THROUGH THE WALL OF THE TANK ITSELF. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 12 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)