2016 Ford F-150 problems & reliability
2,000 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Ford F-150, alongside 13 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
31 complaints report injuries (47 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2016 Ford F-150 vehicles were involved in 321 fatal crashes with 120 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train → | 542 | 27% |
| Engine → | 314 | 16% |
| Service Brakes → | 300 | 15% |
| Unknown OR Other | 248 | 12% |
| Structure → | 199 | 10% |
| Electrical System → | 182 | 9% |
| Visibility/wiper → | 104 | 5% |
| Vehicle Speed Control → | 97 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion System → | 82 | 4% |
| Steering → | 62 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 46,000 miles (middle 50% between 19,000 and 78,000 miles), based on 1,090 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“On May 10, 2026, my 2016 Ford F-150 (6R80 transmission) went into limp mode and displayed a wrench warning light while driving. The truck lost normal transmission function and would not shift properly, creating a hazardous situation in traffic. The PCM has stored active Output Shaft Speed sensor codes P0720 and P0722…”
Power Train · filed Aug 5, 2026
“Ford recently did a software update for a unexpected downshift recall that had previously happened to me while doing 60 miles an hour in my vehicle downshifted into first gear in my truck went sideways because the rear end locked up. Drove my vehicle home and took it out today and while doing 45 miles an hour it…”
Power Train · filed Aug 5, 2026
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The contact stated that the power train warning light and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in NHTSA…”
Engine · filed Aug 4, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Engineering Analysis EA26001 · opened Jan 30, 2026 · open
- Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Preliminary Evaluation PE25002 · opened Mar 21, 2025 · closed Jan 30, 2026
- Seatbelt Pretensioner Fire
Preliminary Evaluation PE18008 · opened Aug 3, 2018 · closed Dec 17, 2018 · led to recall 18V568000
- Brake Master Cylinder Failure
Recall Query RQ16001 · opened Sep 28, 2016 · closed Jul 5, 2020 · led to recall 20V332000
Technical service bulletins
283 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Ford F-150. The 10 most recent:
Customer Satisfaction Program 26N04 Certain 2015-2017 Model Year F-150 Vehicles Equipped with a 6R80 Transmission Transmission Molded Leadframe Replacement
26N04 · Other · issued Jul 9, 2026
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
25N17 · Other · issued Mar 25, 2026
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated…
SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 24, 2026
This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display…
TSB 25-2570 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 26, 2025
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
SSM 54366 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 12, 2025
Some 2016-2020 F-150 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0630 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to aftermarket…
SSM 53495 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 15, 2025
Various vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or a 3.0L gas engine may require a crankshaft bolt replacement during repairs. Various vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or a 3.0L gas engine may require a crankshaft bolt replacement…
SSM 53174 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 27, 2024
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024…
SSM 53040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 10, 2024
This article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to clarify applicable steps by vehicle application. Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles…
TSB 24-2188 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 24, 2024
This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ…
TSB 24-2165 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 27, 2024
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2016 Ford F-150 has 13 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2016 Ford F-150?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 46,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.