2016 Ford F-150 problems
The 2016 Ford F-150 has 2,636 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (23%) concerns drivetrain & axles. After that come engine (13%) and brakes (13%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 2,636 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Drivetrain & axles 23% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 79 and 42
- Injuries and deaths
- 78 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 45,000 miles 1,391 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 380 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 231 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 272 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 180 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 105 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 77 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 67 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 39 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 11 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 13 |
| 200k+ miles | 16 |
What the data shows
Among the 1,391 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 45,000 miles. For drivetrain & axles specifically, the median reported mileage is about 98,000 miles (230 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 79 complaints mention a crash; 42 complaints mention a fire; 78 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2016 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 36 model years of the Ford F-150 with enough data (1,340 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 13 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Rear defroster shorted out. Overheated and caught the plastics on fire. The window then shattered from the excess heat from the rear defrost. The vehicle was in motion on the highway. Outside temp was 28 degrees. Rear defrost and heat were on for the vehicle. While traveling, the vehicle began to smoke internally. The car was pulled over, and shut off. The smoke stopped and the window shattered. The plastic and seat surrounding the rear defrost connection to the window were melted.
Tl* the contact rented a 2016 ford f-150. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floor. The vehicle failed to come to a complete stop and crashed into a guardrail. None of the air bags deployed. The driver sustained back, neck, and shoulder pains. The front passenger sustained back and shoulder pains. The rear passenger on the driver side sustained ankle back and neck pains. The rear passenger on the passenger side sustained back and shoulder pains. A police report was filed.
After 71k miles, the brake master cylinder needs replaced due to brake fluid internal leaking to the brake boosters. Lost all control of braking power. $1100 repair to replace master cylinder and brake boosters. This happened on 7/6/2019 while driving home. The low brake fluid light came on while driving and noticed substantial loss in braking power and had to push brake pedal all the way down to slow the truck to a stop at stop sign.
Sunroof tracks are plastic and crumble and break causing the sunroof to be stuck open or inoperable. Appears to be a common problem with all f150's based on internet research.