About average for the F-150
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical F-150 year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 99,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other F-150 years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 2,095 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford F-150. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (616, 29% of complaints), followed by the brakes and stability control and the engine and cooling. That ranks 3rd of 13 F-150 years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 14 recalls.
26 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2016 Ford F-150 before you buy.
Transmission and drivetrain
616 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 99,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious transmission safety issue with my son's 2016 Ford F-150, which is subject to Ford Safety Recall 26S28 / NHTSA Recall 26V237 and is also within the scope of NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA26001 concerning unintended transmission downshifts. The truck was operating normally before the recall…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the failure occurred after the recall repair. While starting the vehicle, the transmission started out at 5th gear with the engine revving, and while driving at various speeds, the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 163,000 miles
Brakes and stability control
355 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 35,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
I am filing an emergency complaint against Ford Motor Company for failure to provide a safety recall remedy within a reasonable timeframe under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301. My vehicle has an active safety recall (Recall 20S31) for a compromised brake master cylinder, making it entirely unsafe to operate. The vehicle is currently grounded and…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I went to start my truck and the brake went all the way to the floor. I had no braking power and it had to be towed back home over an hour away. There is a recall on 2016 Ford F150 with the 3.5 Eco Boost engine which I have. This recall involves a seal in the master cylinder failing and losing braking power and affecting the brake…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Engine and cooling
347 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact’s son owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 120,000 miles
.2016 F-150 Ford Truck. Purchased from a used car dealership. While driving the truck on a freeway at about 40 MPH, accelerated to 55 MPH and changed lanes. Engine went into limp mode. Check engine light flashed. Started to deaccelerate. Moved vehicle over to shoulder. Fault codes: P0340, P0344, P0365, P0369. This truck has a 2.7L…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Body, doors and structure
232 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (184), Doors: latch (19).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
Frame is rusted through along the bottom weld. Most likely water, sand and debris entered the frame from side openings and this corrosive mixture sat in the bottom of the frame as there were no drain holes nearby. The problem was discovered by a Ford mechanic and the dealership said they could not repair it, and to try a collision…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Door latches seize in cold temperatures. If you can get the door open, it won't latch when you close the door. I must hold the door shut and lock the door for it to latch. Then, the handle becomes incredibly difficult to pull and open the door. I have pulled out only to be alerted that my door was open, but I have also exited the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
191 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
The truck continuously went into limp mode upon acceleration. Numerous warning lights wrench, I have a 2016 2.7 with 159k miles that is stalling, loosing all power, stuttering and showing these codes on heavy acceleration. When I turn off the ignition and restart all codes go away.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owned a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on the freeway, another vehicle driver pulled beside the contact on the front passenger’s side of the vehicle, and informed the contact that there was smoke coming from the vehicle, and the contact became aware of smoke coming from the rear passenger’s side…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 141,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
156 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 47,000 miles. Parts named most: Sun / moon roof assembly (14).
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The component that failed is the Back Up Camera Screen. It is all blue. It is available for inspection upon request. My safety or the safety of others is at risk because I can't see directly behind my truck without this camera. I could end up hitting a child or small item directly behind my truck. We will be contacting the dealer about…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The linkage on the passenger side windshield wiper is known to seize from rust. Canada has a recall on this particular issue, but not America. I have had failing blades in heavy rain as a result.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Cruise control and acceleration
102 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 39,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
My car is experiencing a harsh down shift from 3rd to 4th gear with lack of power on acceleration on my vehicle since 10/25/2024. I have taken it in to three service departments including Karl Flammer Ford in Tarpon Springs, FL. Each service department has said the only remedy is a New Transmission estimated to be $7,000-$8,000 (receipts…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My transmission started down shifting on its own while driving one morning and the check engine light and wrench light illuminated. I took it to the dealership that afternoon and had the conductor board replaced. They said it was the speed sensor that malfunctioned.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel system
95 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 46,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
I made an appointment for July 22,2026 with Purvis Ford in Fredericksburg to have the 28S26 recall for a transmission issue outlined in the recall. The process was estimated to be 4-6 hours. Purvis Ford called said the software upgrade was completed and i could get my truck. The truck would not shift out of 1st gear so i turned around…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My F150 engine stalls while driving when I am at a1/4 tank or less in hot or cold weather in stop and go traffic, at a stop sign or red traffic signal. I am able to restart the engine after placing the transmission in neutral or park. I have reported this issue to my ford dealer, but they say there is nothing wrong with the vehicle.…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Steering
64 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The vehicle experienced a sudden and unexpected loss of power steering assistance while being driven on a highway. The failure made the vehicle extremely difficult to steer and nearly caused an accident, creating a serious safety hazard. After pulling over to get off the highway, it was observed at lower speeds, the vehicle did not have…Owner complaint, filed 2026
"While operating my 2016 Ford F-150, the vehicle lost power-steering assist. Ray Skillman Ford diagnosed an internal failure of the power steering control module and replaced the steering gear assembly. The vehicle had approximately 94,620 miles. Sudden loss of steering assist significantly increased the effort required to steer the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Wheels and tires
55 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 52,000 miles. Parts named most: Lugs / nuts / bolts / studs (17).
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to rotate the tires, the service mechanic discovered that the lug nuts had swollen, and the wheel could not be immediately removed from the vehicle. The contact was advised that the lug nuts on all four wheels were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated while having the vehicle serviced at a local dealer for routine maintenance, the dealer was unable to remove the wheels because the lug nuts were swollen. The vehicle was taken to a local Auto Zone where the contact was advised to replace the lug nuts with after-market lug nuts due…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 78,766 miles
Driver assist systems
40 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 65,000 miles. Parts named most: Sensing system: camera (16), Rearview system braking (9), Blind spot detection (7).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black or blue image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the visibility while reversing, which prevented the safe operation of the vehicle. After speaking with a friend who was a mechanic, the contact…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 131,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rearview camera intermittently displayed a distorted or blank image while the transmission was shifted into reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 200,000 miles
Air bags
36 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 45,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the horn pad on the steering wheel, the horn failed to provide an audible sound as intended. The air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the clockspring needed to be…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 39,825 miles
Was involved in a head on collision involving 2 cars; one which was hit in the front driver wheel panel and the other was directly head on and the air bags did not deploy. Resulting in major seatbelt bruising and knee injury.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Seats and seat belts
33 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 53,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The seat track pivot link bolt has failed, yes it is available for inspection. The seat now has tons of travel in it, which will not restrain the driver in event of a crash. I have visual evidence of the part failure. The issue was part of a safety recall 17S40 which Gwinnett Place Ford claims to have addressed in 2024. The part has now…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front driver's seat became unstable and was moving unintendedly. Upon inspection it was discovered that the front driver’s side seat mounting bolt had become unscrewed causing the side of the seat to move. The vehicle was not repaired. The local…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 76,600 miles
Suspension
18 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 32,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
Dangerous hop that I was experiencing and would happen on a straight away going down the interstate. I did not have to be hitting a corner for the back end to hop sideways on me. It also would happen going around a slight corner. So pretty much, it happened no matter what when Id hit bumps at higher speeds. But it most definitely was a…Owner complaint, filed 2025
I was told there was something hanging underneath my truck and when I looked I found the sway bar had broken. It was not the end links but the sway bar itself. I have never been off roading or abused the truck.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Ford F-150 complaints by year
Compare the 2016 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2016 full-size trucks
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Ford F-150 | About average | 14 |
| 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | About average | 14 |
| 2016 Ram 1500 | Worse than most years | 17 |
| 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 | About average | 10 |
2016 Ford F-150 recalls
Transmission and drivetrain
- Risk
- Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Power assist
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder.
Full recall summary
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.
Suspension Upper ball joint
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- DRiV will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary replace the ball joint, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Master cylinder
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Engine
- Risk
- A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the block heater's location and its cable, replacing components as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Engine
- Risk
- A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used.
Full recall summary
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.
Engine
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Seat belts Pretensioner
- Risk
- A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Seats
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tightness of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt, either applying threadlocker or replacing the lift link and hardware, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Doors, hood and latches
- Risk
- A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Seat belts Rear / other
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assembly, replacing the attaching rivet as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250 and F-350 trucks equipped with a crew cab. The left rear inflatable seat belt buckle assembly may be inadequately attached to its mounting bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Doors, hood and latches
- Risk
- If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price.
Full recall summary
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. These accessory door handle covers may cause the doors to unlatch in a side impact collision. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
Seats Recliner
- Risk
- The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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 frame may have insufficient welds which may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Air bags Occupant classification
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Classification System Module (OCSM) with new software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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). The front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) that calibrates the air bag deployment level may incorrectly classify an adult as a child when the seat massage feature is activated.
2016 Ford F-150 questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford F-150?
The most reported problem areas on the 2016 Ford F-150 are the transmission and drivetrain (616 complaints), the brakes and stability control (355 complaints) and the engine and cooling (347 complaints).
Is the 2016 Ford F-150 a good year to buy?
About average for the F-150. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical F-150 year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 99,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other F-150 years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford F-150 have?
NHTSA lists 14 recalls for the 2016 Ford F-150. The most recent, from Apr 2026, covers the transmission and drivetrain. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford F-150 problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 99,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 35,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Ford F-150 years should I avoid?
The F-150 years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2016 Ford F-150?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model