MYRModel Year Report

2016 Ford F-150

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2016 Ford F-150
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
2,054
Recalls
14

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 2 complaints 1984 1987: 2 complaints 1989: 14 complaints 1990: 21 complaints 1991: 306 complaints 1992: 479 complaints 1992 1993: 588 complaints 1994: 700 complaints 1995: 626 complaints 1996: 324 complaints 1997: 2,758 complaints 1997 1998: 1,381 complaints 1999: 1,044 complaints 2000: 1,076 complaints 2001: 1,236 complaints 2002: 821 complaints 2002 2003: 423 complaints 2004: 2,029 complaints 2005: 1,112 complaints 2006: 585 complaints 2007: 488 complaints 2007 2008: 369 complaints 2009: 324 complaints 2010: 843 complaints 2011: 2,188 complaints 2012: 1,781 complaints 2013: 2,987 complaints 2014: 1,532 complaints 2015: 1,711 complaints 2016: 2,054 complaints 2016 2,054 2017: 1,438 complaints 2018: 2,307 complaints 2019: 1,325 complaints 2020: 732 complaints 2021: 1,014 complaints 2022: 592 complaints 2022 2023: 408 complaints 2024: 191 complaints 2025: 105 complaints 2026: 10 complaints 2027: 0 complaints 2027
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1987: 2 complaints 1989: 14 complaints 1990: 21 complaints 1990 1991: 306 complaints 1992: 479 complaints 1993: 588 complaints 1993 1994: 700 complaints 1995: 626 complaints 1996: 324 complaints 1996 1997: 2,758 complaints 1998: 1,381 complaints 1999: 1,044 complaints 1999 2000: 1,076 complaints 2001: 1,236 complaints 2002: 821 complaints 2002 2003: 423 complaints 2004: 2,029 complaints 2005: 1,112 complaints 2005 2006: 585 complaints 2007: 488 complaints 2008: 369 complaints 2008 2009: 324 complaints 2010: 843 complaints 2011: 2,188 complaints 2011 2012: 1,781 complaints 2013: 2,987 complaints 2014: 1,532 complaints 2015: 1,711 complaints 2016: 2,054 complaints 2016 2,054 2017: 1,438 complaints 2018: 2,307 complaints 2019: 1,325 complaints 2020: 732 complaints 2020 2021: 1,014 complaints 2022: 592 complaints 2023: 408 complaints 2023 2024: 191 complaints 2025: 105 complaints 2026: 10 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1987: 2 complaints 1989: 14 complaints 1989 1990: 21 complaints 1991: 306 complaints 1991 1992: 479 complaints 1993: 588 complaints 1993 1994: 700 complaints 1995: 626 complaints 1995 1996: 324 complaints 1997: 2,758 complaints 1997 1998: 1,381 complaints 1999: 1,044 complaints 1999 2000: 1,076 complaints 2001: 1,236 complaints 2001 2002: 821 complaints 2003: 423 complaints 2003 2004: 2,029 complaints 2005: 1,112 complaints 2005 2006: 585 complaints 2007: 488 complaints 2007 2008: 369 complaints 2009: 324 complaints 2009 2010: 843 complaints 2011: 2,188 complaints 2011 2012: 1,781 complaints 2013: 2,987 complaints 2013 2014: 1,532 complaints 2015: 1,711 complaints 2016: 2,054 complaints 2016 2,054 2017: 1,438 complaints 2018: 2,307 complaints 2019: 1,325 complaints 2019 2020: 732 complaints 2021: 1,014 complaints 2021 2022: 592 complaints 2023: 408 complaints 2023 2024: 191 complaints 2025: 105 complaints 2025 2026: 10 complaints 2027: 0 complaints 2027

2016: 2,054 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19872
198914
199021
1991306
1992479
1993588
1994700
1995626
1996324
19972,758
19981,381
19991,044
20001,076
20011,236
2002821
2003423
20042,029
20051,112
2006585
2007488
2008369
2009324
2010843
20112,188
20121,781
20132,987
20141,532
20151,711
20162,054
20171,438
20182,307
20191,325
2020732
20211,014
2022592
2023408
2024191
2025105
202610
20270

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

28% · 582 reports

Most commonly citing control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) and shift pattern indicator.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-09

Service brakes

17% · 341 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2023-12-15

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, 2016-04-06

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Engine

15% · 316 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY

Structure

10% · 201 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2016-04-14

Electrical system

9% · 188 reports

Most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and wiring.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Back up camera malfunctioned, not showing there was a smaller car behind me in my own driveway. Backing up into my driveway at night, it did not pick up or show the smaller car which I back up into, causing $2890 in damages which I had to pay for.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-09

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…

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-23

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, 2017-12-22

Also filed under Visibility/wiper

Safety timeline

14 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2016Complaint volume 2,054 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2016-03-11Air bags16V110000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2016-08-18Seats16V475000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2016-09-28Recall queryClosed 2020-07-05 Brake Master Cylinder Failure
  5. R
    2017-07-13Latches/locks/linkages, structure17V331000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2017-12-08Seat belts17V526000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2018-03-16Seats17V767000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2018-08-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2018-12-17 Seatbelt Pretensioner Fire
  9. R
    2018-09-28Seat belts, structure18V568000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2018-10-12Latches/locks/linkages17V652000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2019-05-31Engine, equipment19V278000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2019-06-03Engine18V894000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2020-04-09Engine, equipment20V098000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2020-10-28Service brakes, hydraulic20V332000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2021-05-05Suspension21E027000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2022-04-29Service brakes, hydraulic22V150000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. I
    2025-03-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 2026-01-30 Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
  18. I
    2026-01-30Engineering analysisOpen Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
  19. R
    Date not on filePower train26V237000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Ford F-150 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 582 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 341 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 316 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 26V237000 · Power train
  • Recall 16V110000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V475000 · Seats
  • Recall 17V331000 · Latches/locks/linkages, structure
  • Recall 17V526000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 17V767000 · Seats
  • Recall 18V568000 · Seat belts, structure
  • Recall 17V652000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 19V278000 · Engine, equipment
  • Recall 18V894000 · Engine
  • Recall 20V098000 · Engine, equipment
  • Recall 20V332000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 21E027000 · Suspension
  • Recall 22V150000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford F-150 have?
14 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.