AI Damage2016 Ford F-150: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Ford F-150 filed 103 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 186 service bulletins for this year. We found 3 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 103
- involving a crash
- 5
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 186
- YouTube repair videos
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 81% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 6% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 3% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 3% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 2% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 83 complaints (81% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 58.
- Engine: 6 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Vehicle speed control: 5 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 103 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 83 | 2 | 18 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 1 | 58 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 15 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| Air bags | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 75 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 0 | 0 | 10 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to maintain acceleration while the accelerator pedal was depressed, which caused the vehicle to jerk forward into the rear bumper of another vehicle in traffic. The front bumper struck the rear bumper of the other vehicle.
Was involved in a head on collision involving 2 cars; one which was hit in the front driver wheel panel and the other was directly head on and the air bags did not deploy. Resulting in major seatbelt bruising and knee injury.
Driving on highway lost power to gas pedal truck dash flashed and turned off. Bunch of lights and a gear turned on. I drove to dealership immediately and left the truck there.
The truck continuously went into limp mode upon acceleration. Numerous warning lights wrench, I have a 2016 2.7 with 159k miles that is stalling, loosing all power, stuttering and showing these codes on heavy acceleration. When I turn off the ignition and restart all codes go away.
The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and the power train warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the following day, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started.
Chapter 301. My vehicle has an active safety recall (Recall 20S31) for a compromised brake master cylinder, making it entirely unsafe to operate. The vehicle is currently grounded and inoperable at my residence. Ford Corporate has kept the required repair parts on a national backorder for over 3 months.
The component that failed is the Back Up Camera Screen. It is all blue. It is available for inspection upon request. My safety or the safety of others is at risk because I can't see directly behind my truck without this camera. I could end up hitting a child or small item directly behind my truck.
When my BCM went out, wipers, blinkers, external lights, speedo/tach, power windows (in the front), all HUD, all stereo, and I think the security system too, stopped working. It was raining hard, it was a very dark day/difficult to see. I and others could easily have been killed. VERY, VERY DANGEROUS!
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 566 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the F-150 has 35 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 103, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Customer Satisfaction Program 26N04 Certain 2015-2017 Model Year F-150 Vehicles Equipped with a 6R80…
Customer Satisfaction Program 26N04 Certain 2015-2017 Model Year F-150 Vehicles Equipped with a 6R80 Transmission Transmission Molded Leadframe Replacement
- Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless…
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated…
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns …
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
- Some 2016-2020 F-150 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic…
Some 2016-2020 F-150 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0630 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to aftermarket…
- Various vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or a 3.0L gas engine may require a crankshaft bolt replacement…
Various vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or a 3.0L gas engine may require a crankshaft bolt replacement during repairs. Various vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or a 3.0L gas engine may require a crankshaft bolt replacement…
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- This article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to clarify applicable…
This article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to clarify applicable steps by vehicle application. Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles…
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019…
- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory…
- This article supersedes TSB 23-2330 to update the Parts List
Some 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an oil leak from the oil pan RTV seal. This may be due to various concerns with the oil pan. To correct the condition, follow the Service…
NHTSA lists 186 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford F-150?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 103. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (39%), loss of power / limp mode (16%), transmission slipping (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Ford F-150?
NHTSA lists 186 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Ford F-150 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.