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#BS-2016-FORF15-76F22016 Ford F-150Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 2,652 owners and 14 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 2,652 complaints, 79 crashes, 42 fires, and 14 recalls.
Top reported problems
engine stalls dies while driving
47 complaints • Severity 8.2/10
brake failure
21 complaints • Severity 9.1/10
multiple electrical issues
15 complaints • Severity 8/10
brakes not working properly
14 complaints • Severity 8/10
radio not working properly
13 complaints • Severity 5.5/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
609 owners reported drivetrain issues — failures commonly reported around 45K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (493 reports) • Median: 45K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Drivetrain (609 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2016 Ford F-150: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 23% of all reports filed for the 2016 Ford F-150, with 609 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 45,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 45K-mile mark.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 12% of all reports filed for the 2016 Ford F-150, with 330 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 12% of all reports filed for the 2016 Ford F-150, with 328 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to brakes-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Structure:body Issues
Structure:body complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2016 Ford F-150, with 184 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to structure:body-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2016 Ford F-150. Recent trend: stable.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (14 recalls)
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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). 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.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat. 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."
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-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. 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."
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250 and F-350 trucks equipped with a crew cab. 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."
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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. 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.
+ 9 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2016 Ford F-150 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (4)
1 investigation still open: NHTSA is examining whether a defect warrants a recall.
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Seatbelt Pretensioner Fire
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Brake Master Cylinder Failure
SERVICE BRAKES
The worst model year for the Ford F-150 is the 2018 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 2,652 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 14 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated . NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Ford F-150 Model Years
2016 Ford F-150: Frequently Asked Questions
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10 sections of AI analysis based on 2,652 owner reports. Know before you buy.