Owner complaint record
2016 Ford F-150 Problems and Recalls: What Owners Report
This page shows the problems 2016 Ford F-150 owners reported to NHTSA, the federal agency that tracks car safety: 2,023 complaints sorted by system, the mileage they started at, the check engine codes owners named, and the recalls to check before you buy.
NHTSA owner complaintsChecked Oct 3, 20262,023 complaintsFederal file of Aug 25, 2026
+20% vs 2015
552 complaints, 27% of the total
half of the powertrain reports that give a mileage came before this
32 mention an injury, 25 a fire
The powertrain leads the 2016 Ford F-150 record at 27%, with engine next at 16%. Of the powertrain reports that give a mileage, half came before 90,000 miles. The costliest part on our cost list is the brake master cylinder, $70 to $152 for the part alone.
It's a count of reports, not a failure rate. Use it to decide what to inspect before buying, not to grade the car.
More than a quarter of the complaints name the powertrain, most of them rough shifts, and Ford recalled 2015 to 2017 trucks for an unexpected downshift into second gear. The 3.5L EcoBoost trucks also have recalls for a brake master cylinder that can leak fluid into the booster.
2016 Ford F-150 overview
The 2016 F-150 came with a 3.5-liter V6, 2.7- and 3.5-liter turbo V6s and a 5.0-liter V8, all with a six-speed automatic, in rear-wheel or part-time four-wheel drive.
Owners filed 20% more complaints about the 2016 than the 2015 (1,683), and the powertrain leads both years. The 2017 drew 1,414, with powertrain named most.
- Power
- 385 hp at 5,750 rpm
- Torque
- 387 lb-ft at 3,850 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Not direct
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
- Power
- 365 hp at 5,000 rpm
- Torque
- 420 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Direct injection
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
- Power
- 282 hp at 6,250 rpm
- Torque
- 253 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Not direct
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
- Power
- 325 hp at 5,750 rpm
- Torque
- 375 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Direct injection
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
Fuel economy from EPA fueleconomy.gov; power and torque from Ford media technical spec sheets and ford.com engine pages (Wayback copies), read 3 Oct 2026.
Is the 2016 Ford F-150 reliable?
The 2016 Ford F-150 ranks 4th of 16 F-150 model years for owner complaints, and the powertrain draws the largest share. The four checks below are what the federal record can say; none of them is a reliability score.
- 4thCompared with other F-150 years2,023 complaints, the 4th most of 16 model years (2013 has 2,975).By model year
- 27%The system named mostPowertrain, in 552 complaints. Half of the powertrain reports that give a mileage came before 90,000 miles.Problems by system
- 14Recalls14 recall campaigns cover the 2016 Ford F-150.Recalls
- 55Crashes, injuries, fires55 complaints mention a crash, 32 an injury and 25 a fire.
A complaint count is not a failure rate: the record doesn't say how many were sold, so a popular year draws more reports.
2016 Ford F-150 problems by system
Every complaint to NHTSA names the part of the car that gave the owner trouble, such as the engine or the steering. The cards below sort the 2,023 complaints about the 2016 Ford F-150 that way, largest first: open one to read what owners wrote, when it usually starts, and what to check.
Powertrain27%552 complaintsHarsh or unexpected shifts
Show detailsHide details
What owners describe
Vehicle exhaust leaks into cabin. Ford says not covered under warranty. Paint falling off fenders. Ford says not covered under warranty. Back up camera worked until Ford dealer worked on it, has not worked since then and dealer (house Ford address: 3538 hwy 61 w, red wing, mn 55066) wont or can't fix it.
While towing a travel trailer, my 2016 Ford f-150 2.7l ecoboost engine exhibits intermittent engine stalls when coming to a stop and/or after restarting the vehicle. I had to gun the engine after restarting to keep it running. Note: this only happens when towing.
FLINGATXRead 4 more owner reports+4
Vehicle entered "limp mode" at speed on interstate, loss of power. This occurred at 5k miles and after being repaired, occurred at 12k miles. Both time diagnosed by Ford dealer as a faulty throttle body actuator.
Three issues: 1. Sudden loss of brakes while moving, brake pedal went to the floor and had no brakes. 2. Front axle (4x4) tries to engage on its own from time to time while driving. 3. Excessive backlash in rear end while driving.
The truck hesitates when shifting from 2nd to 1st gear.. This is causing a bump in the drive train. I've taken it to 3 different dealership for repair but they cannot fix it. When I stop I have to wait about one to two seconds before I can start back off. Its becoming dangerous to drive.
Vehicle idles rough and stalls after driving for about 30 minutes or so. Rpms drop to below 500, vehicle shakes and sputters, and sometimes dies. I have had the vehicle die multiple times before turning at a stop light/sign.
When it starts
Usually starts around 90,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 52,000 and 128,000.
What to do
Drive through every gear at speed and feel for a sudden downshift.
Our guideBad Transmission Symptoms: Seven Causes Ranked from $6.19 to $7,100Engine16%315 complaintsWarning lights, stalling, leaks
Show detailsHide details
What owners describe
Engine stalls and/or dies while driving. This has happened to me twice on a new 2016 f-150. During normal driving, the truck mechanically shuts down causing a major safety hazard to me and other drivers on the road. This is not uncommon if you search online! The Ford repair shop cannot identify the issue, they say.
Engine light flashing at 7,996 miles. On highway traveling 70mph engine began running very rough and began to decelerate. Engine light began to flash. Dealership authorizes long block engine change. Service: 172077d p0306 6049/42. Tsb 17-0007 and 17-2077.
MNFLCATXRead 4 more owner reports+4
Vehicle exhaust leaks into cabin. Ford says not covered under warranty. Paint falling off fenders. Ford says not covered under warranty. Back up camera worked until Ford dealer worked on it, has not worked since then and dealer (house Ford address: 3538 hwy 61 w, red wing, mn 55066) wont or can't fix it.
Exiting from interstate speed, coming to a complete stop at light, truck shakes and stalls. Able to restart. No check engine light ever. Had left vehicle at dealer for 3-4 days with no issue found. Fuel tank level weather full or 1/4 full still occurs.
For the last year my car have been leaking fumes and smelling of carbon monoxide. I have complained to mission valley Ford, big valley Ford and all star Ford. When I start the vehicle there is white smoke and a strong fume. They said it's the ecoboost. Secondly the turbo they say has gone out already at 87k miles and I believe the smell and the turbo is connected.
Vehicle engine shakes and shuts off when stopped and at idle. This happens after vehicle warms up and has been driven for at least 15 minutes. I have read many other complaints about Ford trucks doing the same thing. Have read that Ford is aware of problems with variable cam timing sensors and cam phasers, but are not issuing recall. This has happened to me at leadt 6 times.
When it starts
Usually starts around 51,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 23,000 and 80,000.
What to do
Look under the engine for leaks and watch for a check engine light.
Our guideCar Shuts Off While Idling or Driving? Causes and What to DoBraking system15%301 complaintsSoft pedal, fluid leaks
Show detailsHide details
What owners describe
Brand new king ranch Ford f-150 brakes recurrently fail. No accident but they currently have greatly reduced stopping power, super dangerous. Ford reports long back order 3+weeks on master cylinder, makes me wonder if there is larger issue.
Brake pedal suddenly went to floor approaching traffic if light! Had to make emergency turn into a parking lot to prevent being crashed. Dealer determined that my f-150 has a defective master cylinder. However, so far a week later, Ford motor motor company will not ship a new replacement! Irresponsible! Fix it Ford -now!
KYSCOKMORead 4 more owner reports+4
Brake pedal went to floor with very little braking power. When trying to stop. At stop light pedal would go to floor. I think rear brakes working but fronts not. Recall on 2013's 14's and 15's I think. Same problem with 16's. Ford says national back order on master cylinders, 4 weeks
Brake pedal went all the way to the floor barely working with no warning on a busy street at a stoplight. Went to dealership and they verified problem and replaced the master cylinder. Truck only had 16,000 miles
Pulling to intersection on two occasions brake peddle goes to floor. Lift peddle after putting car in park and brakes recovered. Vehicle was purchased new in june and has 7000 miles. Dealer said customer concern could not be duplicated.
While driving, I experienced a sudden loss of braking ability in a Ford f-150 2016 3.5l v6 ecoboost with 10,600 miles on the engine. Pedal, when pressed all the way to the floor, provided some ability to slow down in great length, but no ability to complete stop in a timely manner.
When it starts
Usually starts around 31,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 9,564 and 52,448.
What to do
Press the brake pedal hard with the engine running: it should stay high and firm.
Our guideBrake Warning Light: What It Means and Is It Safe to Drive?More: ABS light on · Warped brake rotors
Body9%184 complaintsDoor latches
Show detailsHide details
What owners describe
Vehicle exhaust leaks into cabin. Ford says not covered under warranty. Paint falling off fenders. Ford says not covered under warranty. Back up camera worked until Ford dealer worked on it, has not worked since then and dealer (house Ford address: 3538 hwy 61 w, red wing, mn 55066) wont or can't fix it.
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.
PAINRead 2 more owner reports+2
Vehicle is a supercrew (4 door). Door locks do not latch in weather below freezing. Thankfully, vehicle was stationary when discovered. There is a Ford tsb already (tsb 16-0155). Dealer applied a "temporary" fix because parts are not available, but I would think the doors staying closed properly should be a larger issue than a tsb.
Drivers door would not latch door closed during 15 degree weather today. Door unlocked via keyless entry and opened ok - but when closed it would not latch shut. Last winter vehicle drivers door would not unlock, tsb 16-0155 applied. Ford states recall 17s33 does not apply to my vehicle since tsb 16-0155 was completed, however problem still exists.
When it starts
Usually starts around 20,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 5,000 and 41,500.
What to do
Open and close every door and the tailgate, and check that each one latches.
Electrical system9%177 complaintsScreens, warning lights
Show detailsHide details
What owners describe
Today when I turned on the rear window defogger in my 2012 Ford f150 the indicator light did not come on. After three or four tries it came on. Within minutes I heard a pop and the glass on passenger side of the rear slider popped. The glass is in tact but broken.
On january 10 2017, at approximately 7:45 a.m. After dropping off my 3 kids at school, the rear window on my 2016 Ford f-150 exploded and shattered after the rear window defroster was activated.
NYINRead 2 more owner reports+2
Since I purchased my truck there has been issues with the backup camera. The dealer replaced the apim and had to keep the vehicle for three weeks to trace a bad wire. It has been 10 months and the camera has failed again. I feel as if this is a wider spread issue. Ford even expanded the warranty for the previous years apims.
The complete instrument panel went out. The only thing that worked were the head lights and tail lights the dealer fixed it but don't know what caused it. On a highway about 40 mph
When it starts
Usually starts around 40,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 15,500 and 55,952.
What to do
Try the touchscreen, the camera and every warning light check at start-up.
What repairs cost on the 2016 Ford F-150
Part prices for the problems 2016 F-150 owners report most. They are shelf and mail-order prices for the part alone, so a shop bill adds labor and its own markup.
Four brands, from Dorman up to Dynamic Friction. On the 3.5L EcoBoost, recalls 20V332 and 22V150 cover a master cylinder that leaks into the booster, free at the dealer; check the VIN first.
Check master cylindersMotorcraft only, Ford's own brand. Recall 17V652 covers door latches that can freeze or have a kinked cable, free at the dealer; check the VIN first.
Check door latchesPrices on this page are our own research, not the store’s, and store prices change daily.
Prices read on RockAuto on Oct 3, 2026, for the parts listed as fitting this car; regular stock only, closeouts left out.
Check engine codes owners report
17 owners name P2112 (throttle actuator stuck closed) in their complaints, the code named most for this car.
Complaints whose text names the code, one count per complaint. Tap a code to read our guide; grey codes have no guide yet.
When problems show up on the odometer
Body complaints start earliest, typically around 20,000 miles. Powertrain complaints start latest, around 90,000 miles.
Dot: typical mileage. Bar: the middle half of reports. From the mileage owners wrote on the form.
Ford F-150 complaints by model year
2016 is shown in dark. The powertrain is named most in 14 other F-150 years.
Show chartHide chart
2016 is shown in dark. The powertrain is named most in 14 other F-150 years.
When owners filed
Complaints about the 2016 Ford F-150 have kept arriving since 2016, with peaks in 2025 and 2026. A peak often follows a recall or a news story, not a new fault.
Show chartHide chart
2016 Ford F-150 recalls
14 recall campaigns cover the 2016 Ford F-150. A recall list is by model year; whether one car had the work done is in its VIN record.
2016 Ford F-150 crash tests and investigations
NHTSA crash tests rate the 2016 Ford F-150 five stars overall, the same for 4x2 and 4x4. Its defect office has opened four investigations into three problems that cover this model year.
Ratings run from 1 to 5 stars: 5 is the safest result, 1 the least safe.
Frontal stars compare cars of about the same weight; side stars compare every vehicle. Rollover stars show how top-heavy the car is: NHTSA puts the 2016 Ford F-150’s chance of rolling over in a single-car crash at 19%.
Safety equipment NHTSA recommends
Optional means some trims have it and some don’t. Check the car you are looking at.
Federal investigations
Before you buy a used 2016 Ford F-150
These checks follow what 2016 F-150 owners reported most: rough or sudden shifts, then a soft brake pedal and door latches. Run the VIN before you pay, because this truck has transmission, brake and door latch recalls.
- 1Drive through every gear at highway speed
Rough shifts lead the complaints, and a recall covers a downshift into second.
- 2Run the VIN for transmission, brake and latch recalls
Only the VIN shows whether the fixes were done.
- 3Press the brake pedal hard
A soft pedal leads the brake complaints.
- 4Open and close every door
Door latch complaints lead the body section.
- 5Look under the engine for leaks
Leaks show up in the engine complaints.
Oil and service for the 2016 Ford F-150
This is what Ford's manual says the 2016 F-150 needs: which oil to use and how much, the fluids for the transmission and the cooling system, and when each job is due. The truck tracks oil wear itself and shows an oil change message on the dashboard, but Ford says never to go past a year or 10,000 miles.
- Engine oil
- 5W-20
- Oil capacity
- 7.7 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- Motorcraft MERCON LV
- Coolant
- Motorcraft Orange, prediluted
- Engine oil
- 5W-20
- Oil capacity
- 6.3 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- Motorcraft MERCON LV
- Coolant
- Motorcraft Orange, prediluted
- Engine oil
- 5W-30
- Oil capacity
- 6.0 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- Motorcraft MERCON LV
- Coolant
- Motorcraft Orange, prediluted
- Engine oil
- 5W-30
- Oil capacity
- 6.0 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- Motorcraft MERCON LV
- Coolant
- Motorcraft Orange, prediluted
Service schedule
From the Ford 2016 F-150 Owner's Manual, read Oct 3, 2026. Normal schedule.
Common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford F-150?
Owners name the powertrain most (552 complaints), then engine (315) and braking system (301).
Is 2016 a good year for the Ford F-150?
The complaint record can't grade a car, but it shows what to check: the powertrain complaints that lead this year, the mileage they start at, and whether the recall repairs were done.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Ford F-150?
Yes. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the 2016 Ford F-150: engine (3), seat belts (2), latches/locks/linkages (2), seats (2), airbags, brakes (2), suspension, power train. A dealer can tell from the VIN whether one car got the repairs.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford F-150 problems start?
Body complaints start earliest, around 20,000 miles. Powertrain complaints come later, around 90,000 miles.
Which F-150 years have the most and fewest complaints?
The 2013 and 2018 model years have the most in the file, and the 2025 and 2024 the fewest, though newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
What the complaint record can't tell you
Sources
Show all 6 sources
Owner quotes are changed from all capitals to normal case only. Counts by system and year cover vehicles with at least 10 complaints.