Ford F-250 problems
284 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
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-250? 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
- steering — 114 owner reports · tends to show around 93,914 mi · ~$700 to fix
- suspension — 41 owner reports · tends to show around 68,738 mi · ~$900 to fix
- airbags — 23 owner reports · tends to show around 87,286 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- engine — 23 owner reports · tends to show around 73,657 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 87,286 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 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.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2016 Ford F-250
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.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2016 Ford F-250
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.
- ~44,000 misuspension~$900
- ~53,500 mielectrical~$850
- ~77,000 miengine~$3,100
- ~80,000 misteering~$700
- ~140,000 mifuel system~$1,200
"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
I have experience severe steering oscillation on numerous occasions. The vehicle has 48755 miles as of 28 DEC 21. This condition occurs at highway speeds when driving over a rough road.
Death wobble. Second complaint. Truck worked on 2 months a ago ($600). Wobble returned with a vengeance. Maybe 2,000 additional miles on truck. 82,000 miles currently. On freeway, speed 55-65 MPH. Hit a crack in the road ( not a pothole or anything significant ). Steering wheel…
Have been experiencing Wobble of death multiple times driving on the highway. Very scary. Having to stop or slow down quickly in heavy traffic. The Last time was 3 times in 15 minutes on 12/26/21. This happened on IH 10 leaving Beaumont. No warning signs or messages. Just…
My 2016 F-250 continues to experience the Ford Truck "death wobble." It sometimes happens after I have travelled on an interstate entrance and am increasing speed up to normal highway speed (or similar situation). The front end begins to terribly "shake" and I can only stop it…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. PE24014 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2016 Ford F-250 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 284 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Ford F-250 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Ford F-250?
The 2016 Ford F-250 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. 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-250?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 114 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 93,914 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 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-250 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 284 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 93,914 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-250?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 114 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 93,914 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 93,914 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford F-250 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-250?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 284 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, 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.