The 2016 Ford F-150 has 1,686 NHTSA owner complaints and 14 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of October 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 62 complaints, typically surfacing around 142,527 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
The problems owners report most, open recalls, and the mileage where failures cluster — straight from the NHTSA record, in seconds.
Reliability score
5.2 / 10
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
0
Critical
14
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 F-150?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 5.2/10 — around the segment average
14 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2016 Ford F-150? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 62 owner reports
· tends to show around 142,527 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 3 owner reports
· ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 14 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2016 F-150· powertrain
My vehicle was covered under recall 26N04 and 26V237 that addressed a violent unexpected downshift in the transmission while driving. The Ford dealer reprogrammed the PCM and stated that is all that could be done. This did not fix the violent unexpected downshift while…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. The contact stated that there was a ten-second delay prior to the transmission downshifting.…
The contact's husband owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a PCM software update was performed under NHTSA…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
Had a problem with your 2016 Ford F-150?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3
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. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.
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.
Fix: 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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.2 out of 10 based on 1,686 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Ford F-150 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2016 Ford F-150?
The 2016 Ford F-150 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 5.2/10 — around the segment average; 14 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Ford F-150?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 62 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 142,527 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 Ford F-150 a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,686 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 142,527 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Ford F-150?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 62 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 142,527 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 142,527 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford F-150 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Ford F-150?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,686 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Ford/F-150.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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