Is the 2011 Ford F-350 reliable?

The 2011 Ford F-350 has 204 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Ford F-350?

Top problems: STEERING (50 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (45 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (28 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Ford F-350?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, ENGINE, STRUCTURE:BODY, EQUIPMENT. 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 F-350?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Ford F-350 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 F-350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Ford F-350 has 204 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 252. The most common issue is steering problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford f350. while driving approximately 10 mph, an unusual noise emitted from the vehicle with the sudden loss of power steering. the contact experienced difficulty turning the steering wheel and was able to maneuver to the side of the road. he then inspected under the hoo. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 1 crash report 4 injuries

204

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

50 complaints

25%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, AN UNUSUAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITH THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE THEN INSPECTED UNDER THE HOO
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A BUMP AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING DAMPNER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HA
• FRONT WHEELS WENT INTO AN EXTREME WOBBLE AFTER HITTING A BUMP, AND WOULD NOT STOP WOBBLING UNTIL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *KB

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, AN UNUSUAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITH THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE THEN INSPECTED UNDER THE HOO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Ford F-350

Based on 168 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 61K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Reported earliermedian 66K mi · 34 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Reported earliermedian 59K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 30K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

WHEELS

Reported earliermedian 38K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Reported earliermedian 35K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 69K mi · 39 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 (4)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE24/02/2011

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 FORD F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, EDGE, AND LINCOLN MKX TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 25, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 20, 2010. THESE VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED USING INTEGRATED DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (IDS) THAT HAD A CUSTOM SOFTWARE ROUTINE TO READ THE SUSPECT BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) SERIAL NUMBER. BASED ON THE SERIAL NUMBER THE BCM WAS EITHER NOT AFFECTED OR REPLACED. THE CUSTOM SOFTWARE ROUTINE WAS NOT READING THE CORRECT SET OF CHARACTERS, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY A BCM THAT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AFFECTED BCMS MAY HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INTERNAL SHORT.

Risk: IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DEVELOPS, AN OVERHEATING CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Ford F-350

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 F-350 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, 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

SUSPENSION(~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 204 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, AN UNUSUAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITH THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE THEN INSPECTED UNDER THE HOO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL INTO ANOTHER LANE WITHOUT INTENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING OVER A ROAD BUMP OR POTHOLE. THE CONTACT P
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY AND RANDOMLY LOSE POWER. IT MAY LAST A FEW SECONDS TO SEVERAL MILES. EVENTUALLY THE POWER COMES BACK AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES MOVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT 55 MILES PER HOUR WHILE HAULING A FULL TRAILER. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS WHICH PRESENTS A DANGER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN OBJECT FROM THE ROAD PIERCED THE LOWER FUEL PUMP COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)