MYRModel Year Report

2016 Ford F-150

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2016 Ford F-150
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford F-150 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2016 highlighted. 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1987: 2 complaints 1989: 14 complaints 1990: 21 complaints 1991: 304 complaints 1992: 470 complaints 1992 1993: 586 complaints 1994: 676 complaints 1995: 626 complaints 1996: 324 complaints 1997: 2758 complaints 1997 1998: 1381 complaints 1999: 1044 complaints 2000: 1074 complaints 2001: 1236 complaints 2002: 820 complaints 2002 2003: 421 complaints 2004: 2027 complaints 2005: 1112 complaints 2006: 584 complaints 2007: 487 complaints 2007 2008: 368 complaints 2009: 324 complaints 2010: 840 complaints 2011: 2179 complaints 2012: 1771 complaints 2012 2013: 2956 complaints 2014: 1497 complaints 2015: 1638 complaints 2016: 1976 complaints 2016 2017: 1379 complaints 2017 2018: 2218 complaints 2019: 1270 complaints 2020: 677 complaints 2021: 934 complaints 2022: 554 complaints 2022 2023: 382 complaints 2024: 178 complaints 2025: 97 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
2016: 1976 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19872
198914
199021
1991304
1992470
1993586
1994676
1995626
1996324
19972758
19981381
19991044
20001074
20011236
2002820
2003421
20042027
20051112
2006584
2007487
2008368
2009324
2010840
20112179
20121771
20132956
20141497
20151638
20161976
20171379
20182218
20191270
2020677
2021934
2022554
2023382
2024178
202597
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 26%

26% of complaints: power train — 517 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
ENGINE 16%

16% of complaints: engine — 310 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes — 297 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the contact approached a stop sign and depressed the brake pedal. However, the brake pedal was inoperable and the vehicle did not stop.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231215

WHILE IN PARK WITH THE DRIVER DOOR OPEN, TRUCK OFF, RADIO ON, CONFIRMED SHIFTER WAS IN PARK POSITION. I ACCIDENTALLY ENGAGED MANUAL TRANSMISSION CONTROL IN FRONT OF AND GEAR SELECTOR AT THUMB POSITION OF SHIFTER AS BOTH ARE UNAVOIDABLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160406

STRUCTURE 9%

9% of complaints: structure — 184 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

SEAT HEADREST PROTRUDES TOO MUCH OUT OF THE SEAT AND IT PUSHES FORWARD HEAD OF SOME DRIVERS. THE ONLY ADJUSTMENTS AVAILABLE (SLIDE UP AND DOWN, TILT TOP FORWARD) DO NOTHING TO ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160414

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 174 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Today 10/23/23 I remote started my f150 and the defrost on the rear window overheated causing the glass to explode and shatter. The wires burnt to the point of smoking out and catching on fire

NHTSA ODI report, 20231023

REAR DEFROST WAS TURNED ON AND WITHIN SECONDS THE CABIN WAS ENGULFED IN A WHITE SMOKE AND STRONG ELECTRICAL FIRE SMELL. AS I WAS PULLING OVER, THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171222

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2016 — complaint volume: 1976
R 20160311 — air bags

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).

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Classification System Module (OCSM) with new software, free of charge. The recall began on March 11, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Campaign 16V110000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160818 — seats

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall begin on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 16C11.

Campaign 16V475000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20160928 — RQ (closed 20200705)

Brake Master Cylinder Failure

R 20170713 — latches/locks/linkages, structure

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...

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price. The recall began July 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 17C09.

Campaign 17V331000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171208 — seat belts

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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assembly, replacing the attaching rivet as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed October 18, 2017.

Campaign 17V526000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180316 — seats

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17V767000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180803 — PE (closed 20181217)

Seatbelt Pretensioner Fire

R 20180928 — seat belts, structure

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles.

Remedy: 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. The recall began September 28, 2018.

Campaign 18V568000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20181012 — latches/locks/linkages

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.

Remedy: 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. The recall began October 12, 2018.

Campaign 17V652000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190531 — engine, equipment

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...

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge.

Campaign 19V278000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190603 — 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019.

Campaign 18V894000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200409 — engine, equipment

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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the block heater's location and its cable, replacing components as necessary, free of charge.

Campaign 20V098000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201028 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners an interim notification on June 30, 2020.

Campaign 20V332000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210505 — suspension

Tenneco Automotive (DRiV) is recalling certain MOOG K500359 ball joints, for aftermarket installation on 2015-2018 Ford F-150 trucks.

Remedy: DRiV will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary replace the ball joint, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Tenneco Automotive customer service at 1-877-489-6659.

Campaign 21E027000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220429 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge.

Campaign 22V150000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20250321 — PE (closed 20260130)

Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up

I 20260130 — EA (open)

Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up

R Date not on file — power train

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.

Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed May 1, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026.

Campaign 26V237000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2016 Ford F-150 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (517 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (310 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (297 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 26V237000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V110000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V475000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V331000 (latches/locks/linkages, structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V526000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V767000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V568000 (seat belts, structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V652000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V278000 (engine, equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V894000 (engine) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V098000 (engine, equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V332000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21E027000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22V150000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 2024 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 1997 ■ 2018

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2016 Ford F-150 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Ford F-150 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford F-150?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2016 Ford F-150 have?

14 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.