2016 Ford F-150 problems: complaints and recalls
The 2016 Ford F-150 has 1,779 complaints and 14 recalls on file as of 2026-10-16. This page shows which systems the complaints name, how many report a crash or fire, and every recall with what it says.
Complaint figures come from NHTSA's complaints database, downloaded on 2026-10-16.
At a glance
| Measure | 2016 F-150 |
|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 1,779 |
| Filed within three years of the model year | 703 |
| Complaints reporting a crash | 53 |
| Complaints reporting a fire | 23 |
| Complaints reporting an injury | 30 |
| Deaths reported in complaints | 0 |
| Recalls | 14 |
It ranks 4th of the 12 model years on this site by total complaints and 1st by complaints filed in the first three years. Older trucks have had longer to collect complaints, which is why the first-three-years count is shown next to the total.
Which systems the complaints name
Power train leads with 401 complaints (23% of the total), followed by service brakes (328) and engine (285). A complaint can name more than one system, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 401 | 23% |
| Service brakes | 328 | 18% |
| Engine | 285 | 16% |
| Unknown or other | 215 | 12% |
| Structure | 192 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 156 | 9% |
| Visibility/wiper | 99 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 80 | 4% |
"Unknown or other" means the complaint was not filed under a specific system.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 14 recalls for the 2016 Ford F-150.
| Reported | Campaign | Component | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-14 | 26V237000 | Power train: automatic transmission | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2022-03-11 | 22V150000 | 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. 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. |
| 2021-04-12 | 21E027000 | 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. 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. |
| 2020-06-08 | 20V332000 | 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. 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. |
| 2020-02-21 | 20V098000 | 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. A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 2019-04-08 | 19V278000 | 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. A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 2018-12-18 | 18V894000 | 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. 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. |
| 2018-08-31 | 18V568000 | Seat belts: pretensioner | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle. |
| 2017-11-29 | 17V767000 | Seats | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 F-150 and Explorer vehicles. In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury. |
| 2017-10-16 | 17V652000 | 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. A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury. |
| 2017-08-28 | 17V526000 | Seat belts: rear/other | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250 and F-350 trucks equipped with a crew cab. If the left rear inflatable seat belt buckle separates from it's mounting bracket, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained, increasing their risk of injury. |
| 2017-05-22 | 17V331000 | Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles originally produced with black or body colored exterior door handles that may have been subsequently equipped with a chrome exterior door handle cover accessory kit purchased from a Ford dealer. If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury. |
| 2016-06-28 | 16V475000 | Seats: front assembly: recliner | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat. The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 2016-02-25 | 16V110000 | Air bags: sensor: occupant classification | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 F-150 trucks manufactured April 27, 2015, to November 22, 2015, and equipped with Multi-Contour Seats (MCS). If an adult is incorrectly classified as a child, the passenger frontal air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
Some recalls cover only certain engines, cab styles or build dates, so match each one to the truck in front of you before you count it against the truck.
Before you buy a 2016 F-150
- Run the truck's VIN through the federal recall lookup. A recall is only closed when the repair is done on that truck, so ask the seller for the paperwork.
- Read the recalls above against the engine and options on the truck you are looking at.
- Treat complaints as a list of what to ask about and test-drive for, not as a failure rate. See the method page for what the numbers can and cannot tell you.
- Compare the neighbours: 2015 and 2017, or see all 12 years side by side.
Sources
- F-150, F-150 REGULAR CAB, F-150 SUPERCAB, F-150 SUPER CREW: complaint records for 2016 (JSON). The set shown above is these combined, each complaint counted once.
- F-150 recall records for 2016 (JSON).