The 2011 Ford F 250 carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering software and body. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Tire tread separation.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Campaign #11V128000 · Feb 24, 2011
Issue: 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Campaign #10V659000 · Dec 29, 2010
Issue: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, EDGE AND LINCOLN MKX VEHICLES. DURING A SIX-DAY PRODUCTION PERIOD, THE SUPPLIER OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE MANUFACTURED MODULES THAT MAY HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INTERNAL SHORT.
Risk: IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DEVELOPS, AN OVERHEATING CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Ford F 250.
TIRES
7 NHTSA complaints · 2015-08 → 2025-09
“The tires were installed on 8.22.2025 and on the following Thursday, August 28, 2025, all of the tires had low pressure”
“component= Michelin tire (the tire tread separed from tire) Half of the tread start to hit the vehicle yes discount tire no warning This happened at low speed”
“TREAD SEPARATION CONTINENTAL TIRES IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS. 2011 FORD F 250 25,800 FIRST TIME, 33500 2ND TIME”
STRUCTURE
3 NHTSA complaints · 2017-09 → 2025-03
“The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while making a turn in either direction, there was an abnormal crunching sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUBBER BUSHINGS IN THE CAB MOUNT WERE CORRODED AND DETERIORATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE CAB MOUNTS WERE FAILING”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT OBSERVED UNDER THE VEHICLE THAT THERE WAS MULTIPLE RUBBER MOUNTING PIECES THAT WERE MISSING OR DETACHED DUE TO DETERIORATION”
STEERING, SUSPENSION
73 NHTSA complaints · 2015-08 → 2025-07
“The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving over a bump at a high rate of speed, the contact experienced the death wobble and the contact temporarily lost control of the vehicle. The contact slowed down and the violent shaking ceased”
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROADWAY, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND VIBRATE”
“I own a properly maintained 2011 Ford F-250. Today, 14 instances of what is commonly know as "Ford Death Wobble" occurred to me on the interstate highway while I drove 250 miles”
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
5 NHTSA complaints · 2017-02 → 2021-06
“Hold down clamps for the fuel injectors are breaking or coming loose on diesel engine. Injectors are not visible for a person to look at as they are buried by covers”
“2011 FORD SUPER [XXX], 6.7L FIRE HAZARD, FUEL INJECTOR HOLD DOWN FAILURE WHILE IDLING IN YARD, SPRAYING FUEL ALL OVER PLACE, TOWED TO DEALER, RECOMMENDS REPLACING ALL HOLD DOWNS DO TO FAULTY PART”
“DUE TO FAULTY/SNAPPED INJECTOR CLAMP, FORD TSB 14-0233, A FUEL INJECTOR WAS BLOWN OUT OF MY ENGINE AN SPRAYED FUEL ALL OVER THE ENGINE BAY. FORTUNATELY FOR ME I HAD JUST STARTED THE TRUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY SO IT WAS STATIONARY AND NOT HOT”
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-12 → 2017-12
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED”
“DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 65 MPH MOTOR SHUT DOWN. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE SHOP I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED”
“MY 2011 F-250 DIESEL WOULDN'T START 2 WEEKS AGO AND AFTER HAVING IT TOWED FOUND IT TO BE THE H.P.F.P HAD TORN ITSELF APART AND PUT METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM”
ENGINE
4 NHTSA complaints · 2015-11 → 2016-12
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING, THE "PULL OVER SAFELY NOW" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING”
“WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON CITY STREET "STOP SAFELY NOW" APPEARED ON THE DASH SCREEN. WITHIN A FEW SECOND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, WHICH ELIMINATED THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING, WHILE STILL AT 35 MPH”
“TURNED ONTO BUSY HIGHWAY, VEHICLE WARNING CHIMED A FEW TIMES AND MESSAGE CENTER SAID 'STOP SAFELY NOW" VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND THEN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE IF AN INTERSECTION WITH NO PRIOR WARNING”
Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
F-150 4x4 and Bronco 4x4: replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.
Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
284 crashes 2010–2024
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
12
complaints mentioning a crash
5
complaints mentioning a fire
Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2011 Ford F 250 reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.