2016 Ford F-350 problems
The 2016 Ford F-350 has 208 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2016 Ford F-350 has 208 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 76 complaints, typically surfacing around 54,437 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 F-350 | 85 | 1 |
| 2014 F-350 | 98 | 0 |
| 2015 F-350 | 207 | 1 |
| 2016 F-350 (this page) | 208 | 0 |
| 2017 F-350 | 560 | 2 |
| 2018 F-350 | 198 | 2 |
| 2019 F-350 | 463 | 4 |
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 7.4/10 — 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-350? 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 — 76 owner reports · tends to show around 54,437 mi · ~$700 to fix
- suspension — 30 owner reports · tends to show around 66,831 mi · ~$900 to fix
- airbags — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 64,345 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- engine — 14 owner reports · tends to show around 45,642 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 64,345 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: 7.4/10 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-350
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-350
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 misteering~$700
- ~50,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~52,500 miengine~$3,100
- ~57,000 misuspension~$900
- ~72,484 miairbags~$1,100
- ~100,000 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 started experiencing the known “death wobble”. I have 68585 miles on truck.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Ford f-350. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the fuel mode warning light illuminated, which caused the vehicle to stall for approximately one minute before resuming normal operation. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was…
After going over a bump in the road at 70 mph, vehicle began to shake violently. Unable to control the vehicle. Had to come to a complete stop. Checked tires, all tires were good and had good air pressure. Took the vehicle to repair shop. Repair shop referred to the 'Death…
I was driving through a construction area on interstate 95 and hit uneven pavement and the front of the vehicle starting shaking violently. It took everything I had to hold the steering wheel the shaking was so violent it rendered the brakes almost useless. Fortunately no one…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Ford F-350 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 208 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Ford F-350 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-350?
The 2016 Ford F-350 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — 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-350?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 76 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 54,437 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-350 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 208 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 54,437 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-350?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 76 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 54,437 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 54,437 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford F-350 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-350?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 208 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.