NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 2,098 owner complaints for the 2016 Ford F-150. It has 1 open investigation that names this model year.
Recalled components: engine, brakes, latches, locks and linkages, seat belts, and 3 more. Most-described problem: loss of power or limp mode (184 complaints, 9%). Most-reported area: powertrain (618 complaints, 29%; median mileage when it happened: 99,400).
More complaints than a typical F-150 year
The 2016 drew 496 owner complaints in its first three years, against 388 for a typical F-150 year.
No F-150 year stands out enough to avoid; best year: 2019. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated
Best year
Excludes the electric F-150 Lightning.
13 safety recalls for the 2016 Ford F-150
Grouped by the part recalled, largest group first, newest first within each part. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable.
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.
13,854 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2016F-150pick-up trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines and block immersion heaters that were potentially relocated from their originally installed location.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Components: Engine; Equipment: electrical. Ford campaign 20S08.
Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S11.
131,068 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Components: Engine; Equipment: electrical. Ford campaign 19S11.
Risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.
410,289 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater.
Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.
195,864 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Components: Brakes: foundation components, master cylinder; Brakes: power assist. Ford campaign 22S11.
Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel and feel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, possibly requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners an interim notification on June 30, 2020. The recall began on October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S31.
292,311 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2017F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Components: Brakes: foundation components, master cylinder; Brakes: power assist. Ford campaign 20S31.
Risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the doors opening while driving although they appear to be closed.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S33.
1,101,107 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250,F-350,F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks.
Risk: If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
These accessory door handle covers may cause the doors to unlatch in a side impact collision. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price. The recall began July 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 17C09.
Fails federal standard 206 (door locks and retention) · 14,410 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017F-150, and 2017 F-250,F-350,F-450, and F-550 vehicles originally produced with black or body colored exterior door handles that may have been subsequently equipped with a chrome exterior door handle cover accessory kit purchased from a Ford dealer.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Components: Latches, locks and linkages: doors, latch; Body structure: body, door. Ford campaign 17C09.
Risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S27.
1,619,112 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Components: Seat belts: pretensioner; Body structure: body, roof and pillars. Ford campaign 18S27.
Risk: If the left rear inflatable seat belt buckle separates from it's mounting bracket, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained, increasing their risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The left rear inflatable seat belt buckle assembly may be inadequately attached to its mounting bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assembly, replacing the attaching rivet as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed October 18, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C12.
Fails federal standard 210 (seat belt anchorages) · 117,423 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017F-150, and 2017 F-250 and F-350 trucks equipped with a crew cab.
Risk: In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Loose power seat adjuster pivot bolts may cause the front seat cushions to detach and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tightness of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt, either applying threadlocker or replacing the lift link and hardware, free of charge. Interim letters are expected to go out January 15, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S40.
177,264 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 F-150 and Explorer vehicles.
Risk: The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The seat back frame may have insufficient welds which may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall begin on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 16C11.
Fails federal standard 202 (head restraints) · 5,280 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat.
Risk: 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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) that calibrates the air bag deployment level may incorrectly classify an adult as a child when the seat massage feature is activated.
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.
2,894 vehicles.
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).
Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.
1,392,935 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017F-150 vehicles.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Ford campaign 26S28.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA also lists 1 equipment recall for parts sold for this vehicle, not the vehicle itself: Suspension: front, control arm, upper ball joint (Tenneco Automotive, 21E-027).
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 4 investigations that name the 2016 Ford F-150; 1 is still open. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up
Engineering analysis EA26001Open since Jan 30, 2026
On March 21, 2025, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE25002) to investigate instances of unexpected transmission downshifting without driver input in model year (MY)… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 26V-237, listed above.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Component: Powertrain (automatic transmission, control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)).
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up
Preliminary evaluation PE25002Closed Jan 30, 2026 (opened Mar 21, 2025)
On March 21, 2025, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE25002) to investigate instances of unexpected transmission downshifting without driver input in model year (MY)… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA listing: F-150. Component: Powertrain (automatic transmission, control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)).
On June 8, 2020, Ford Motor Company issued a safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 20V-332) of 292,311 model year (MY) 2014-2017 Ford F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines and built from 9/1/2014 to 8/1/2016.
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 20V-332, listed above.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Component: Brakes (fluid, foundation components, master cylinder).
Seatbelt pretensioner fire
Preliminary evaluation PE18008Closed Dec 17, 2018 (opened Aug 3, 2018)
On June 18, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-008) to investigate complaints alleging post-crash fires at the B pillar in the area of the seat belt pretensioners on MY… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 18V-568, listed above.
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. A recall query is a review of whether a recall covered the right vehicles or whether its fix works. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 2,098 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 F-150. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Loss of power or limp mode184 · 9%
Median 59,000 miles at failure, from 99 reports with mileage
Brake failure or a soft or hard pedal150 · 7%
Median 32,000 miles at failure, from 122 reports with mileage
Check engine light142 · 7%
Median 80,000 miles at failure, from 75 reports with mileage
Door lock or latch problems138 · 7%
Median 19,500 miles at failure, from 91 reports with mileage
Stalling or shutting off117 · 6%
Median 55,100 miles at failure, from 71 reports with mileage
Shaking, shuddering or vibration88 · 4%
Median 50,000 miles at failure, from 45 reports with mileage
Jerking, lurching or harsh shifting84 · 4%
Median 99,000 miles at failure, from 25 reports with mileage
Smoke or a burning smell70 · 3%
Median 52,000 miles at failure, from 52 reports with mileage
Median 99,400 miles at failure, from 238 reports with mileage
Brakes339 · 16%
Most named: foundation components, master cylinder (10) · Median 33,800 miles at failure, from 262 reports with mileage
Engine320 · 15%
Median 51,000 miles at failure, from 159 reports with mileage
Body structure199 · 9%
Most named: body (184); body, door (8) · Median 20,000 miles at failure, from 133 reports with mileage
Electrical system191 · 9%
Most named: instrument panel, speedometer/odometer (3) · Median 40,000 miles at failure, from 100 reports with mileage
Visibility/wiper107 · 5%
Median 45,000 miles at failure, from 63 reports with mileage
Speed control103 · 5%
Median 38,900 miles at failure, from 48 reports with mileage
Unknown or other258 · 12%
Median 27,000 miles at failure, from 101 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Ford F-150 recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2016 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2018 F-150 drew the most (501) and the 2016 drew 496.
Owner complaints
2016: 2,098 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Ford F-150
Model year
Complaints
2010
843
2011
2,195
2012
1,784
2013
2,994
2014
1,541
2015
1,753
2016
2,098
2017
1,469
2018
2,335
2019
1,350
2020
746
2021
1,323
2022
826
2023
515
2024
234
2025
131
2026
20
Safety recalls
2016: 13 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Ford F-150
Model year
Recalls
2010
1
2011
6
2012
4
2013
3
2014
8
2015
13
2016
13
2017
17
2018
18
2019
9
2020
11
2021
29
2022
23
2023
13
2024
11
2025
16
2026
8
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 2,098 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Ford F-150, the problems described most are loss of power or limp mode (184), brake failure or a soft or hard pedal (150), and the check engine light coming on (142). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2016 Ford F-150 safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2016 Ford F-150 earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2016 Ford F-150?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 open investigation that names the 2016 Ford F-150: unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up (EA26001, opened Jan 30, 2026). It has closed 3 others. An investigation is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
How do I check if my F-150 has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Ford dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: F-150.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.