What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2016 Ford F-150

Typical pattern

5.3% of complaints about the 2016 Ford F-150 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2016 vehicle — around the middle of the 199 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (576 complaints), typically at 9.3 yr or about 94,000 miles.

Complaints
2,587
Median age at failure
6.1 yr
Median mileage
44,800 n=1381
Crash / fire / tow
7.5% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
576 reports · 94,000 mi
9.3 yr
4.2%
Engine
316 reports · 51,000 mi
6.7 yr
6.6%
Service brakes
301 reports · 31,000 mi
3.8 yr
9.6%
Other
251 reports · 27,000 mi
5.8 yr
5.6%
Structure
201 reports · 20,000 mi
3.2 yr
3.5%
Electrical system
188 reports · 40,000 mi
4.9 yr
14.4%
Visibility / wipers
106 reports · 45,000 mi
5.0 yr
5.7%
Speed control
97 reports · 39,000 mi
5.7 yr
9.3%
Fuel / propulsion
83 reports · 37,000 mi
4.8 yr
3.6%
Steering
65 reports · 47,000 mi
5.3 yr
10.8%
Wheels
55 reports · 54,629 mi
6.7 yr
1.8%
Latches / locks
52 reports · 50,200 mi
2.4 yr
3.8%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

26V237000 2026-04-14
Power train:automatic transmission

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.

Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

22V150000 2022-03-11
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.

A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

21E027000 2021-04-12
Suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint

Tenneco Automotive (DRiV) is recalling certain MOOG K500359 ball joints, for aftermarket installation on 2015-2018 Ford F-150 trucks. The ball joint may have a misaligned dust boot and may be missing alignment hole and installation warning tag, which may lead to improper alignment of the ball joint.

An incorrectly installed ball joint may cause the ball joint stud to break, which can compromise front wheel control, increasing the risk of a crash.

20V332000 2020-06-08
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2017 F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.

A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel and feel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, possibly requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

20V098000 2020-02-21
Engine

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2016 F-150 pick-up trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines and block immersion heaters that were potentially relocated from their originally installed location. The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable.

A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.

19V278000 2019-04-08
Engine

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.

A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.

18V894000 2018-12-18
Engine

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.

When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.

18V568000 2018-08-31
Seat belts:pretensioner

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.

A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.

17V767000 2017-11-29
Seats

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 F-150 and Explorer vehicles. Loose power seat adjuster pivot bolts may cause the front seat cushions to detach and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash.

In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.

17V652000 2017-10-16
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the doors opening while driving although they appear to be closed.

A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.

In owners’ own words

Structure 10 mi 4 mo in service
THIS VEHICLE AS DESCRIBED BY THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER HAS A DRIVERS DOOR LATCH PROBLEM, DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, WILL OPEN BY ITSELF WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMP IS BELOW FREEZING. THIS VEHICLE IS BRAND NEW SITTING ON THE DEALERS LOT, THERE IS AT LEAST 20 OTHER NEW VEHICLES ON THE LOT DOING THE SAME THING. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I HAVE BEEN SELLING FORDS FOR THIRTY PLUS YEARS, ONE THING I HAVE LEARNED, THE MANUFACTURER WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT.
Structure mileage not reported 5 mo in service
WHEN ITS COLD ONLY THEY WILL NOT SHUT THE DOOR WILL BOUNCE BACK. DEALER TRY TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM IN A WARM GARAGE AND PU NO PROBLEM FOUND ON WORK ORDER. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND NO HELP.
Structure 300 mi 5 mo in service
AIR LEAKING NOISES AND HIGH PITCH WHISTLES AROUND DOORS WHEN MOVING OVER 40 MPH. FORD SAYS IT'S NORMAL AND I SHOULD GET USED TO IT.
Visibility / wipers 1,800 mi 5 mo in service
MY AUTO DRIVER SIDE VIEW MIRROR DEFAULTS TO A POSITION WHICH I CANNOT SEE BEHIND ME EVERY TIME I USE THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT FORD MAY HAVE INTENTIONALLY SET THE MIRROR TO BEHAVE THIS WAY. I FORGET TO ADJUST THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WITH EACH ENTRY AND REALIZE THE MIRROR IS NOT ADJUSTED AFTER I AM ALREADY BACKING, SO I HAVE TO SLAM MY BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE SO THAT I CAN ADJUST THE MIRROR TO BACK SAFELY.

Other F-150 model years

2025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

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