2011 Ford F-250 SD
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Ford F-250 SD has 189 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 5.1x the segment average of 37. The most common issue is steering problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: ford f 250 death wobble- hit a bump at speed above 30 mph and the steeering wheel begins an uncontrillable wobble. in fact the whole truck shakes violently. the truck has actually jump sideways into the on comming lane. *tt prrevoiusly reports in nhtsa for previous years for this vehicle (nhtsa. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
189
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
5.1x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
STEERING
47 complaints- • FORD F 250 DEATH WOBBLE- HIT A BUMP AT SPEED ABOVE 30 MPH AND THE STEEERING WHEEL BEGINS AN UNCONTRILLABLE WOBBLE. IN FACT THE WHOLE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THE TRUCK HAS ACTUALLY JUMP SIDEWAYS INTO THE ON COMMING LANE. *TT PRREVOIUSLY REPORTS IN NHTSA FOR PREVIOUS YEARS FOR THIS VEHICLE (NHTSA
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 45 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE NOT AWAR
- • THESE TRUCKS SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN THE FRONT END WHEN THEY ENCOUNTER EVEN THE SMALLEST OF BUMPS IN THE ROAD. FORD HAS FAILED TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBLE AND CORRECTIVE MATTERS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GET KILLED. PLEASE SEE FORDFORUM.ORG TO SEE THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING
“FORD F 250 DEATH WOBBLE- HIT A BUMP AT SPEED ABOVE 30 MPH AND THE STEEERING WHEEL BEGINS AN UNCONTRILLABLE WOBBLE. IN FACT THE WHOLE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THE TRUCK HAS ACTUALLY JUMP SIDEWAYS INTO THE ON COMMING LANE. *TT PRREVOIUSLY REPORTS IN NHTSA FOR PREVIOUS YEARS FOR THIS VEHICLE (NHTSA”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2011 Ford F-250 SD
Based on 173 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 35K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
SUSPENSION
ENGINE
TRANSMISSION
WHEELS
TIRES
BRAKES
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 (1)
Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up.
Risk: If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon customer service at 1-951-689-4266.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Ford F-250 SD
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Ford F-250 SD Service Intervals
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
These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2011 F-250 SD, 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 189 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐STEERING: FORD F 250 DEATH WOBBLE- HIT A BUMP AT SPEED ABOVE 30 MPH AND THE STEEERING WHEEL BEGINS AN UNCONTRILLABLE WOBBLE. IN FACT THE WHOLE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THE TRUCK HAS ACTUALLY JUMP SIDEWAYS INTO THE ON COMMING LANE. *TT PRREVOIUSLY REPORTS IN NHTSA FOR PREVIOUS YEARS FOR THIS VEHICLE (NHTSA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SUSPENSION: FRONT / FRAME VIBRATION AND BOUNCING AFTER HITTING A HOLE OR AT CERTAIN SPEEDS THAT SEEM TO BE PRODUCING FRAME VIBRATION DUE TO A HARMONIC FREQUENCY GENERATED BY THE TIRES AND ROAD SPEEDS EXAGGERATING AN ENGINEERING DEFECT IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: TRUCK STALLS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR, WHEN PULLING ON TO HIGHWAY. *KB
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED DUE TO WHAT FORD CALLS CONTAMINATED FUEL. SINCE MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 12,000 MILES ON IT I ASSUMED WARRANTY WOULD COVER A MECHANICAL FAILURE. BUT FORD SAYS THAT CONTAMINATES GOT INTO MY SYSTEM PAST THE FUEL FILTERS HPFP HOW IN THE WORLD AM I TO KNOW ABOUT THE QUALIT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ford F-250 SD — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 189
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 6
- Injury reports
- 8
- Segment avg
- 37
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Ford F-250 SD