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ProblemsByVinFile / 2016-FORD-F-150NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Ford
2016 Ford F-150 problems
The 2016 Ford F-150 has 1,686 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 2 active recall campaigns.
The 2016 Ford F-150 has 1,686 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 318 complaints, typically surfacing around 79,043 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 F-150?
Avoid — the brakes
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the brakes was repaired or replaced.
15 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the electrical system
Brakes: 296 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 10,000–60,000 mi
Reliability score 6.0/10 — around the segment average
2 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 — 318 owner reports
· tends to show around 79,043 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
brakes — 296 owner reports
· tends to show around 39,490 mi · ~$450 to fix
engine — 204 owner reports
· tends to show around 65,596 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
body — 165 owner reports
· tends to show around 27,666 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 39,490 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — 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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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2016 F-150· visibility
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Ford f-150. While driving, the windshield wipers failed to turn off. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The check engine and the transmission warning lights were illuminated. The…
While exiting the interstate, making a hard swooping left hand turn, make truck shutdown completely. At approximately 40mph and turning, I suddenly had to fight the lack of power steering. As soon as I felt it stop it powered back up. This issue continued intermittently until…
I've bought my 2016 f150 xlt fx4 sc 5.0l used with about 69k miles on it and had it for nearly a year now. Since I purchased the truck it will develop a rough idle and will stall while at a stop light. This will happen when I make a multi stop trip, for example if I stop at 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 2015-2016 F-150 pick-up trucks equipped with 3
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. If the replacement parts are not available, dealers will disable the existing block heater cable from being used until parts become available. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S08.
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)
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. The recall began on March 11, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S05.
Under investigation
1 open at NHTSA
EAPower Train › Automatic Transmission · opened January 2026
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA26001 on NHTSA →
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.0 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?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Ford F-150 is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the brakes was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 15 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the electrical system; Brakes: 296 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 10,000–60,000 mi; Reliability score 6.0/10 — around the segment average; 2 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 318 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 79,043 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 6.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,686 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 79,043 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 318 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 79,043 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 79,043 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 4 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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