2011–2016 Ford F-250 6.7L Power Stroke common problems and fixes

These notes cover the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel. If the truck has the 6.2L gas engine, the engine sections below don't apply, but the front end, rust and transmission notes still do.

We counted 1,093 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2011–2016 F-250s with the 6.7L diesel, identified by VIN (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once). Another 356 were from 6.2L gas trucks, and 106 had a missing VIN or one that didn't show the engine, so we couldn't tell which engine they were about. We left out 6 whose VIN belongs to another vehicle (e.g. an F-150). Complaint counts show what owners report most often. They don't tell you how many trucks have a problem, and owners with problems are far more likely to file a report than owners without them.

At a glance

• Front-end shake ("death wobble") is the most frequently reported problem by a wide margin. Check the front end carefully on any 4x4.
• The high-pressure fuel pump (CP4.2) is the most expensive known failure. Clean fuel and regular fuel filter changes matter.
• 2011–2012 trucks have extra early-production issues: exhaust temperature sensors, turbochargers and NOx sensors.
• The transmission (6R140) has a good reputation when it's been serviced and the engine hasn't been aggressively tuned.

Front-end shake ("death wobble")

More than 4 in 10 of the diesel complaints we counted (about 480 of 1,093) mention a wobble or shimmy, or the front end and steering wheel shaking after a bump, usually at highway speed. It's reported on every year from 2011 to 2016. Owners describe having to brake hard to make it stop.

This isn't unique to Ford. It can happen on any truck with a solid front axle once steering and suspension parts wear. Owners on forums discuss a 2011 Ford service bulletin involving the steering damper (stabilizer), but frequently report that a new stabilizer only hides the shake for a while. The fix owners most often report as lasting is replacing worn parts, especially the track bar and its bushings, and checking the ball joints, tie rods and alignment. Bigger tires and lifts without the right correction parts make it more likely.

When buying: have a helper rock the steering wheel with the engine running while you watch the track bar ends and steering linkage for movement. On the test drive, hit some bumps at 50–70 mph. Ask whether the front end has had work and what was replaced.

High-pressure fuel pump (CP4.2)

All 6.7L engines from these years use a Bosch CP4.2 high-pressure fuel pump. When one fails, it can send metal particles through the whole fuel system, and the fix usually means replacing the pump, injectors, fuel lines and rails and cleaning the tank. Owners in NHTSA complaints describe bills of roughly $8,000 to $13,000, often with the engine shutting off while driving.

Failures are commonly linked to fuel problems: water, contamination or poor lubrication. Ford's 2024 CP4 recall (Ford 24S78) covers certain 2020–2022 trucks only, not 2011–2016.

When buying: ask for fuel filter service records and whether the pump has been replaced. Some owners add aftermarket protection (extra filtration, fuel additives, or a "disaster prevention" kit that keeps debris from reaching the injectors). These are signs of an owner who knew about the issue.

2011–2012: early-production issues

The first two years of the 6.7L have more reported problems than later years.

• Exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensors. 50 of the 55 complaints that mention EGT sensors are from 2011–2012 trucks. Owners describe the engine losing power or shutting down while driving, sometimes more than once. NHTSA lists no recall for it on the F-250.
• Turbocharger. Repair shops and owners on forums report that early turbos used ceramic bearings that often failed between about 50,000 and 100,000 miles, and that Ford later switched to an updated turbo with steel bearings. Ask whether the turbo has been replaced. A loud whistle or screech and smoke are warning signs.
• NOx sensors (2011). Owners on forums posted letters for Ford program 12B33, which reprogrammed the engine computer and replaced the NOx sensor if needed on certain 2011 trucks until April 30, 2013.

None of this means you should avoid a 2011–2012. It means records matter more: a 2011 with a replaced turbo and documented fixes can be a better buy than a neglected 2015.

Emissions system (DEF, DPF, NOx)

Like all modern diesels, these trucks use a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). Complaints include DEF heater failures (code P20BA is frequently mentioned), NOx sensor failures and "exhaust cleaning" (regeneration) running too often. Lots of idling and short trips are hard on these systems.

When buying: look for warning messages about exhaust fluid or exhaust filters. Check how many of the truck's engine hours were spent idling, if the dash shows it. Ask whether the emissions system has been removed ("deleted"). A deleted truck can fail inspections and may be illegal to drive where you live.

Cooling system leaks

Radiator leaks come up often on owner forums, especially on 2011–2013 trucks, sometimes under 100,000 miles. Other frequently reported leak points are the O-ring at the upper radiator hose fitting and the plastic coolant bottle (degas bottle) and its hoses.

When buying: look for dried coolant crust on the radiator, hoses and degas bottle. Check that the coolant level is correct and the coolant is clean.

Rust and cab mounts

In salt-belt states, check the cab corners, rocker panels and wheel arches, and the lower radiator support. A smaller number of owners report rusted cab mounts that let the cab shift on the frame. That's a structural problem worth having a mechanic look at.

Transmission (6R140)

Reported problems with the 6-speed automatic include harsh or slipping shifts and torque converter shudder, most often on trucks that tow heavy loads, missed fluid changes, or have aggressive engine tunes.

Maintenance tips for owners

These are from Ford's Power Stroke Diesel Supplement for these years (2011 supplement, scheduled maintenance pages 72–89). The supplement also lists shorter intervals for some items if you tow, plow, idle a lot or drive off-road, so check it for the way you use the truck.

Service	Interval
Engine oil and filter	10,000 miles / 12 months, or sooner when the dash asks
Fuel filters (both)	22,500 miles (15,000 miles / 6 months for heavy use)
Transmission fluid and filter	150,000 miles
Coolant	First at 105,000 miles / 6 years, then every 45,000 miles / 3 years
Front axle and transfer case fluid (4x4)	150,000 miles

Ford's oil-life monitor calls for oil changes sooner when the truck tows or works hard, so go by the dash.

• Drain the water separator whenever the dash says "water in fuel." Don't ignore it, because water is hard on the high-pressure fuel pump.
• Buy fuel from busy stations and replace fuel filters with quality parts.
• Check the front end (track bar, ball joints, tie rods) at every tire rotation, especially if the truck is lifted or on bigger tires.
• Avoid long idling when you can. It's hard on the DPF and DEF systems.

Recalls to check

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for 2011–2016 F-250 Super Duty trucks (checked October 7, 2026), including one for an aftermarket steering stabilizer kit. The ones to check on a pickup:

• Driver airbag may not deploy on certain 2016 trucks: dust in the steering wheel clock spring can break the airbag's connection. The dealer replaces the clock spring (recall 22V337000).
• Transmission may briefly engage Reverse when shifting from Park to Drive on certain 2015 trucks built September 2013 to March 2014. The dealer updates the transmission software (recall 14V204000).
• Rearview camera may show a distorted, upside-down or blank image on certain 2015–2016 trucks. The dealer inspects the camera and replaces it if needed; Ford is mailing owner letters in phases during 2026 (recall 25V572000).
• Tires on certain 2016 trucks built in one week of April 2016 may have been damaged during assembly. The dealer inspects them and replaces any that are damaged (recall 16V246000).

Before you buy

• Have a Ford dealer pull the truck's service and warranty history using the VIN. Owners on forums call this an "OASIS report."
• Check open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls with the VIN.
• Get a pre-purchase inspection from a diesel shop.
• Bring our used truck inspection checklist.