Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 8 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

8 total · 8 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Steering recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 20E090000 · Dec 2020

If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy
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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Transmission recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 15V175000 · Mar 2015

Engine shut down and a subsequent cool down period may delay medical treatment or assistance to those needing it, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S09.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V360000 · Jun 2014

The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy
Palfleet will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on July 29, 2014. Owners may contact Palfleet customer service at 1- 502-376-2458.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V328000 · Jun 2014

The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy
Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V327000 · Jun 2014

The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy
Stahl will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. Owners may contact Stahl customer service at 1-800-277-8245, or Muncie at 1-800-367-7867.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V379000 · Jun 2014

The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy
Utility Truck will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began in June 2014. Owners may contact Utility Truck customer service at 1-254-857-8813.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V382000 · Jun 2014

The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy
Somerset will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began August 2014. Owner's may contact Somerset customer service at 1-800-777-2671.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V307000 · Jun 2014

The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy
Tactical will notify owners, and dealers will install a new PTO pressure switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Tactical customer service at 1-405-603-6700.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

43 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
21

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 16fluid leaks 2transmission slipping 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle jerked and lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The check engine…
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The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle jerked and lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the vehicle drove at a reduced speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that metal shavings were found in the fuel filter. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11643799 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
1

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1
A recent report: IN A DAYLIGHT SAFETY ZONE REQUIRING HEADLIGHTS, I NOTICED MY DASH LIGHTS WERE NOT ON, EVEN THOUGH MY LIGHT SWITCH WAS IN THE MANUAL ON POSITION. THIS OCCURRED DURING DAYTIME WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH…
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IN A DAYLIGHT SAFETY ZONE REQUIRING HEADLIGHTS, I NOTICED MY DASH LIGHTS WERE NOT ON, EVEN THOUGH MY LIGHT SWITCH WAS IN THE MANUAL ON POSITION. THIS OCCURRED DURING DAYTIME WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH DENSE GROVES OF TREES THAT ALLOWED ENOUGH LIGHT TO SEE THE ROAD, BUT PRODUCED ENOUGH SHADE TO DARKEN MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON ENTERING A TUNNEL, MY HEADLIGHTS SHOWED TO BE ON, BUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE NOT ON, CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO BE TOTALLY BLACKED OUT, AND CREATING A POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS CONDITION. THIS OCCURRED FOR NEARLY A HALF MINUTE UNTIL THE DAYLIGHT SENSOR DETERMINED IT WAS DARK LONG ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE DASH LIGHTS. I BROUGHT THE PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF TWO FORD DEALERS, WHO WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRUCK IN THEIR SHOP. THE THIRD DEALER I CONTACTED WAS ABLE TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM I EXPERIENCED; SPECIFICALLY, THAT WHILE THEIR TESTS SHOWED ALL SYSTEMS CHECKED OUT OKAY, DASH LIGHTS WERE INEXPLICABLY LINKED TO THE DAYLIGHT SENSOR, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS PLACED IN PARK, ON, OR AUTO MODE. IF THE TRUCK WAS OUTSIDE IN THE SUN, PARK AND ON SWITCH POSITIONS DISPLAYED THE EXPECTED PARKING/HEADLIGHT/TAIL LIGHT COMBINATION, BUT NOT THE DASH LIGHTS. AUTO POSITION WORKED AS EXPECTED. ON COMPARING TRUCKS SIMILAR TO MINE, ONE WITH A COMPUTER MODULE DISPLAY AND ONE WITHOUT (AS MINE IS) THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE DISPLAY-EQUIPPED TRUCK'S DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AS EXPECTED IN DAYLIGHT WHEN THE SWITCH WAS ON, BUT THE TRUCK EQUIPPED AS MINE, WITH DO DISPLAY, FAILED AS MINE DOES. BEING STUMPED, BOTH THE DEALER AND I CONTACTED FORD FOR FURTHER INSIGHT. TO DATE, WHILE THE DEALER IS WILLING TO PURSUE THE ISSUE TO ITS SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION, FORD TELLS ME THAT IF THE DEALER CAN'T LOCATE A PROBLEM, NONE EXISTS. I ASKED FORD TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR ENGINEERS AND DETERMINE WHY THE TWO MODULES DIFFER, WITH NO SUCCESS.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10417313 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
1

Most reports here involve smoke.

smoke 1
A recent report: WHEN I ORIGINALLY BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE RIGHT REAR BRAKES HAD BEEN DRAGGING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED, HEAVY SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE REAR WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP…
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WHEN I ORIGINALLY BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE RIGHT REAR BRAKES HAD BEEN DRAGGING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED, HEAVY SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE REAR WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CALIPERS AND ROTORS. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 44000 MILES ON IT NOW. PERIODICALLY THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN DRAGGING AGAIN AS I CAN SMELL THE BRAKES WHEN I EXIT THE TRUCK. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10566390 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
18

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 9premature wear 2
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND STOP THE SHAKING. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND STOP THE SHAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE DEALER (O'MEARA FORD, 400 W 104TH AVE, NORTHGLENN, CO 80234) STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11071768 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
2

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 2
A recent report: DRIVERS SIDE REAR (SIDE WINDOW) EXPLODED ON I95. 65 MPH. NO OTHER VEHICLES NEARBY, NO ROAD DEBRIS. WINDOW WAS IN A MILLION SMALL PIECES HELD TOGETHER BY WINDOW TINT. NO IMPACT POINT, NOT HOLE, NO…
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DRIVERS SIDE REAR (SIDE WINDOW) EXPLODED ON I95. 65 MPH. NO OTHER VEHICLES NEARBY, NO ROAD DEBRIS. WINDOW WAS IN A MILLION SMALL PIECES HELD TOGETHER BY WINDOW TINT. NO IMPACT POINT, NOT HOLE, NO SIGN OF ANYTHING HITTING (WHICH WOULD BE NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE FROM THE SIDE WITH NO TRAFFIC AROUND). IT WAS AN EXTREMELY LOUD BANG LIKE A GUN SHOT WHEN IT OCCURRED. 2011 FORD F350. GOOGLING ONLINE INDICATES THIS IS NOT A RARE EVENT.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10726382 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 43 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2025, roughly 3 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 43 complaints on file, fewer than the 2010 (50) and more than the 2012 (29). Of the 9 model years of the Ford F-350 SD we cover, the 2022 has the most (110). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.