BestCarRank
Ford

2011 Ford F-350 SD

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Ford F-350 SD has 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.4x the segment average of 26. The most common issue is engine problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford f-350 sd. the contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated constantly. the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for diagnostic testing and each time there was a different set of codes that were generated. the vehicle was never repa. There are 8 recalls issued for this model year.

63

Total Complaints

8

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

2.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

15 complaints
24%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND EACH TIME THERE WAS A DIFFERENT SET OF CODES THAT WERE GENERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPA
  • THE RADIATOR, WITHOUT DAMAGE BEGAN LEAKING ANTIFREEZE IN THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
  • FORD F350SD CREW CAB W/ 6.7 DIESEL MOTOR...VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN SUDDENLY WARNING MESSAGE CAME ACROSS DASH THAT VEHICLE WAS "SHUTTING DOWN" AND TO PULLOVER VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. WITHIN 10 SECONDS VEHICLE BEGAN DECELERATING AND CAME TO A COMPLETE SHUTDOWN. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER VE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND EACH TIME THERE WAS A DIFFERENT SET OF CODES THAT WERE GENERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPA

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Ford F-350 SD

Based on 62 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 41K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
22
30-60K
18
60-100K
9
100-150K
8
150-200K
3
200K+
2

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 35K mi · 14 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
4
60-100K
0
100-150K
2
150-200K
1
200K+
1

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 27K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
3
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

TIRES

In line with typicalmedian 40K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
2
60-100K
0
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 62K mi · 15 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
4
60-100K
4
100-150K
2
150-200K
2
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

Later than typicalmedian 71K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
1

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 (8)

STEERING10/12/2020

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-350 SD

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.
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 F-350 SD 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 F-350 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
TIRES(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 63 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND EACH TIME THERE WAS A DIFFERENT SET OF CODES THAT WERE GENERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • STEERING: I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK AWAY FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN THE TRUCK REACHED APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. I LOST FORWARD MOTION, STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKING POWER. I WAS ABLE TO WRESTLE THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS IS A FORD TRUCK POWERED BY A 6.7 FORD

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • SUSPENSION: WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS HIT BUMP IN ROAD THE STEERING SHAKES REALLY BAD AND TO GAIN CONTROL HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO ALMOST STOP SPEED. *TR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • FUEL SYSTEM: I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK AWAY FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN THE TRUCK REACHED APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. I LOST FORWARD MOTION, STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKING POWER. I WAS ABLE TO WRESTLE THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS IS A FORD TRUCK POWERED BY A 6.7 FORD

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 8 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
63
Recalls
8
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
26

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Ford F-350 SD