2016 Ford F-350 SD problems & reliability
208 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Ford F-350 SD, alongside 3 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.
5 complaints report injuries (12 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 81 | 39% |
| Steering | 76 | 37% |
| Engine | 22 | 11% |
| Air Bags | 21 | 10% |
| Unknown OR Other | 19 | 9% |
| Power Train | 17 | 8% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 16 | 8% |
| Wheels | 12 | 6% |
| Electrical System | 10 | 5% |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 6 | 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 48,650 miles (middle 50% between 29,865 and 87,140 miles), based on 116 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The issue with truck is the rear window has a large mirror tint reflection. Causing a safety hazard when driving as the reflection leaves other drivers light blinded. Leaving a flash blindness.”
Unknown OR Other · filed Jul 10, 2026
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated while reversing, the rear view camera independently blanked on and off. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the recall repair was completed. The failure…”
Back Over Prevention · filed May 13, 2026
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to a lower gear. The check engine warning light was occasionally illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the failure could not be duplicated…”
Power Train · filed Apr 22, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak
Preliminary Evaluation PE24014 · opened May 9, 2024 · open
Technical service bulletins
118 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Ford F-350 SD. The 10 most recent:
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
25N15 S1 · Other · issued Apr 20, 2026
Some 2013-2016 Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine and 2015-2019 Transit vehicles equipped with a 3.2L diesel engine may not pass a state smog test due to the exhaust gas system (EGS) monitor that…
SSM 54690 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 26, 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
Certain 2011-2022 Model Year Super Duty Vehicles Equipped with 6.7L Engine - Emission Control Information Label Update for Qualified Vehicles
24L05 · Other · issued Aug 23, 2025
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
All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the…
SSM 52476 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2024
This article supersedes TSB 22-2201 to update the Service Procedure and Parts List. Some 2015-2019 F-Super Duty and 2016-2019 F-650/F-750 vehicles equipped with a 6.7L engine may exhibit an oil leak from the oil filter…
TSB 22-2248 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 20, 2024
2024 F-Super Duty vehicles are equipped with XL-22 (WSS-M2C184-A1) high temperature power steering fluid that looks like clear hydraulic fluid. This fluid is an improvement in high temperature and thermal oxidative…
SSM 52188 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 18, 2024
Some 2015-2019 F-Super Duty and 2015-2020 F-150/Mustang vehicles may require replacement of the powertrain control module (PCM) for various reasons. While performing a programmable module installation (PMI) using the…
SSM 51947 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 27, 2023
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-350 SD has 3 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-350 SD?
- · 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 48,650 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.