AI Damage2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utilit: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utilit filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 7 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 29% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 29% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 29% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 14% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Engine: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Visibility: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 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 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Causing potential fire, and or engine failure due to loss of coolant. The vehicle was in for service and found by technician. Coolant tanks for this model and previous years have been a constant problem.
Approximately every 2-3 tank refills, the check engine light will illuminate. The fault code reads p1450 and deals with the cap-less vacuum pressure. It does not directly affect the vehicles performance, however, it is of concern as there is no indication as to why the system keeps reading a fault.
After braking when accelerate rapidly, transmission downshifts, causing harsh knock. During cruising speeds around 60mph if rapid braking occurs transmission doesn't downshift.
The vehicle has been brought into the dealership two times for the smell of something burning. The smell seems to be originating from the engine compartment area.
Vehicle had been idling to warm up rear window defogger was turned on. When backing out of driveway rear lift gate shattered. No obstacles or evidence of anything hitting the rear window.
Vehicle was parked and idling in a vacant parking lot when the rear lift gate window shattered. Rear window defogger was not on.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 12,539 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Police Interceptor Utilit has 4 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 7, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 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 (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to…
- Some 2016-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan vehicles equipped with a 3.7L twin independent variable camshaft…
Some 2016-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan vehicles equipped with a 3.7L twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes…
- Certain 2013-2017 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Exhaust Odor and Carbon Monoxide Complaints
- Certain 2013-2016 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles - Power Steering Control Module Software…
- Certain 2015 Model Year Edge, 2015-2016 Model Year F-150, MKT, and Police Interceptor Sedan, and 2016…
Certain 2015 Model Year Edge, 2015-2016 Model Year F-150, MKT, and Police Interceptor Sedan, and 2016 Model Year Escape, Explorer, Flex, Fusion, MKX, Mustang, Police Interceptor Utility, Taurus, and Transit Vehicles…
- SOME 2016 ESCAPE/MKC/FIESTA/F150/EXPEDITION/NAVIGATOR/MUSTANG…
SOME 2016 ESCAPE/MKC/FIESTA/F150/EXPEDITION/NAVIGATOR/MUSTANG /TRANSIT/FOCUS/C-MAX/MKX/TAURUS/MKS/FLEX/MKT/EDGE AND 2017 ESCAPE/EXPLORER/MKC/FUSION AND MKZ VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC 3 MIGHT EXHIBIT A BLANK SCREEN OR…
- SOME 2016 EXPLORER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE HANDS-FREE POWER LIFTGATE AND WITHOUT TRAILER TOW PACKAGE…
SOME 2016 EXPLORER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE HANDS-FREE POWER LIFTGATE AND WITHOUT TRAILER TOW PACKAGE MAY EXHIBIT A LIFTGATE THAT OPENS WHILE WALKING NEXT TO THE REAR BUMPER. THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE SOFTWARE…
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utilit?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, visibility. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (29%), A/C or heater (14%), engine failure or replacement (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utilit?
NHTSA lists 7 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 Police Interceptor Utilit 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 2026-11-06.