Complaints about the 2016 Ford F-150 peaked in 2025, with 253 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Pickup, gasoline, 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Jan 21, 2016 to Sep 30, 2026.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V-237 | Apr 14, 2026 | Loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into… | Powertrain | 1,392,935 | Software update |
| 22V-150 | Mar 11, 2022 | Brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster | Brakes | 195,864 | Part replacement |
| 21E-027 | Apr 12, 2021 | Ball joint may have a misaligned dust boot and may be missing alignment hole and installation warning tag, which may lead to improper alignment of… | Suspension | 2,394 | Part replacement |
| 20V-332 | Jun 8, 2020 | Brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster | Brakes | 292,311 | Part replacement |
| 20V-098 | Feb 21, 2020 | Incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable | Engine and cooling | 13,854 | Part replacement |
| 19V-278 | Apr 8, 2019 | During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged | Engine and cooling | 131,068 | Part replacement |
| 18V-894 | Dec 18, 2018 | Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage | Engine and cooling | 410,289 | Part replacement |
| 18V-568 | Aug 31, 2018 | 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… | Seat belts | 1,619,112 | Repair or modification |
| 17V-767 | Nov 29, 2017 | 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 | Seats | 177,264 | Part replacement |
| 17V-652 | Oct 16, 2017 | Doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch | Latches and locks | 1,101,107 | Repair or modification |
| 17V-526 | Aug 28, 2017 | Left rear inflatable seat belt buckle assembly may be inadequately attached to its mounting bracket | Seat belts | 117,423 | Part replacement |
| 17V-331 | May 22, 2017 | These accessory door handle covers may cause the doors to unlatch in a side impact collision | Latches and locks | 14,410 | Refund or buyback |
| 16V-475 | Jun 28, 2016 | Seat back frame may have insufficient welds which may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202,… | Seats | 5,280 | Part replacement |
| 16V-110 | Feb 25, 2016 | Front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) that calibrates the air bag deployment level may incorrectly classify an adult as a… | Airbags | 2,894 | Software update |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
2,060 complaints on file, page 1 of 103.
I had my 2016 Ford F-150 turned in for a recall notification on my transmission. I had no problems on my transmission before the Ford dealership updated the recall notice. After the update, my truck was downshifting and changing gears in a different way. I turned in the truck again and the dealership looked at it again and decided that Ford was not responsible for the issue. Now, my truck is having major issues with the transmission and it is still not fixed. The dealership did the recall update but something was done that made my transmission work differently and they will not fix it unless I pay.
NHTSA complaint 11768161The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. The contact stated that there was a ten-second delay prior to the transmission downshifting. The vehicle was uncontrollable, and the vehicle crashed into a ditch before coming to a stop. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the contact's wife and two minor grandchildren were inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after an unknown recall repair was performed. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
NHTSA complaint 11768054My vehicle was covered under recall 26N04 and 26V237 that addressed a violent unexpected downshift in the transmission while driving. The Ford dealer reprogrammed the PCM and stated that is all that could be done. This did not fix the violent unexpected downshift while traveling at highway speeds. My vehicle has done so several times since the 'fix'. Truck was taken back to Ford dealer and checked again. I was advised that Ford would not be fixing this issue because my truck did not have the correct code on their diagnostic exam. The lead frame is faulty and Ford refuses to fix even though they admit in their recall that the lead frame may be faulty.
NHTSA complaint 11767956The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to second gear. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the failure was associated with a previous recall repair. The contact was informed that the remedy was a temporary fix and that the engineers were developing a new remedy. In addition, the contact was informed that there was no remedy yet available for the repair. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted by phone and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
NHTSA complaint 11767542The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission warning light illuminated and the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into a lower gear, causing the vehicle to hesitate while accelerating. The contact pulled over and waited before restarting the vehicle to correct the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the recall repair was on hold by the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
NHTSA complaint 11767460What Happened MY 2016 Ford F-150 Platinum, equipped with a rear/360-degree camera system, has failed and displays a blue screen instead of providing a usable rearward image. This blue screen was confirmed by the Lugoff Ford Service Department (authorized Ford dealership) around June/July 2026. What I did to correct the problem I took the 2016 F150 Platinum to my local authorized Ford dealership (Lugoff Ford, Lugoff, SC). The Lugoff Ford dealership inspected the vehicle, confirmed the blue-screen rear camera failure, and determined that the camera requires replacement under the Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17. The repair work would be in October 2026. Repair status In September 2026, I got an oil change service at Lugoff Ford. I asked about the status of the recall for the inoperable backup camera and was told that parts and an advanced software update have been changed and will now be available in February 2027. Safety As you are aware, an inoperable backup camera is a safety concern because it does not provide the driver with the rearward view expected from the vehicle's factory-installed camera system. When reversing, the driver cannot rely on the camera to identify pedestrians, vehicles, objects, or other hazards located behind the big F150 Platinum. Manufacturer Contacted I contacted Ford Motor Company's Customer Relationship Center twice to request assistance with an expedited repair, a formal Ford case, and/or a dealer-to-dealer parts search. I was unable to obtain a formal case or an escalation for an expedited remedy. Legal Complaint I am filing this complaint because the safety-related camera failure has been diagnosed, but the manufacturer has not provided an available remedy, and I have been given an estimated repair date of February 2027. I am requesting that NHTSA document this complaint and review the safety implications of an inoperative rear-view camera and the extended delay in obtaining the replacement remedy.
NHTSA complaint 11767439The contact's husband owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a PCM software update was performed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the failure worsened following the recall repair. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced due to a possible internal clutch failure. The contact was informed that leadframe replacement was not covered under extended warranty coverage because the necessary DTC were not retrieved. However, the contact stated that the PCM software update had cleared the codes. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.
NHTSA complaint 117673402016 Ford F-150, 5.0L, 6R80 transmission, 112,083 miles. Safety Recall 26S28 was performed on 08/05/26 at an authorized Ford dealer. The wrench/powertrain warning recurred on 08/15/26. On 08/20/26, at 111,998 miles, the dealer found DTCs P0720 and P0722 (output shaft speed sensor) and stated in writing that the transmission molded leadframe must be replaced. Ford denied coverage under Customer Satisfaction Program 26N04 because those codes are not on the program's list. The transmission then failed on two consecutive days, within about 85 miles of driving since the dealer visit. On 09/23/26, while I was accelerating across two lanes of traffic, the engine revved abnormally high during an upshift, as if the transmission failed to engage a gear. It then stayed in 3rd, and I had to make a left turn from a stop at an intersection in 3rd gear with greatly reduced power. On 09/24/26, after crossing a four-lane highway intersection, the warning appeared while I was accelerating uphill. The transmission stayed in 3rd at a complete stop and would not downshift to 1st. Shifting through Park and using manual mode did not restore 1st gear; only an engine restart did. In both events the warning light cleared itself while the fault continued, so the dashboard gave no indication of the problem. Turning left across oncoming traffic and pulling away from stops near highway traffic with reduced power is a safety risk. The recall remedy did not prevent this failure, and the repair the dealer says is required is being denied under the related program.
NHTSA complaint 11766769I am reporting that the Corporate Ford Company is knowingly requiring a software update that minimizes a safety hazard instead of eliminating a safety hazard (NHTSA Recall 26V237). Here are the facts: ---Lebanon Ford service said that they cannot tell me what the software update 26S28 will do to fix the danger of driving my vehicle. The mechanic (Michael) said that the software update is meant to fix the transmission molded lead frame, but that it does not. My research about this software update states that the truck will unexpectedly downshift to 4th gear (instead of downshifting to 1st gear without the update). This downshifting issue poses a danger to people driving on the highway! Consider trucks suddenly downshifting to 4th gear in front of you on the highway (some towing)! Ford Recall: 26N04 is a fix that will eliminate danger, but Ford is NOT fully implementing it! Molded Lead Frame Failure The Issue: The internal wiring harness (the lead frame) holds the speed and temperature sensors. When it fails, it sends bad data to the computer. Symptoms: Erratic shifting, a wrench light on the dash, or a check engine light with speed sensor codes. Unexpected Downshifts (Recall 26V-237) --THIS IS THE SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT DOES NOT SOLVE THE DANGEROUS RISK. On XXX, Ford did NOT complete the Recall 26N04 (Ford #), only the NHTSA 26V237 software update, which does not eliminate dangerous driving on the highway. I am attaching the event information that I gave to Lebanon Ford at the time of service. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO CRASH AND NO CASUALTIES, I CANNOT, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, DRIVE MY 2016 FORD F-150 ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE FORD IS ONLY LESSENING THE SYMPTOM, WHICH IS STILL A DANGER TO PEOPLE. FORD CAN FIX THE PROBLEM TO ELIMINATE DANGER, BUT THEY CHOOSE NOT TO DO SO.
NHTSA complaint 11766357I am filing an emergency complaint against Ford Motor Company for failure to provide a safety recall remedy within a reasonable timeframe under 49 U.S.C. 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. On August 18th, Ford Corporate sent me a formal written denial explicitly refusing to provide a rental vehicle or alternative transportation while my truck sits stranded. Ford is forcing me to choose between driving a vehicle with known catastrophic braking failure or having no transportation, actively violating federal recall compliance guidelines.
NHTSA complaint 11766023XXX: I scheduled an oil change online and selected the open transmission safety recall. [XXX] Ford executed Recall 26S28 (PCM Programming) under verification code RGLKT7MASIPIJ. The truck had absolutely no shifting issues prior to this flash. XXX: Within two weeks of the software update, the truck began experiencing the exact erratic shifting and violent gear-dropping safety hazards described in the recall. I returned the truck to the dealer. XXX: After days of complete silence, I had to initiate contact. First by phone, then by physically walking into the service desk on XXX to get answers because the dealer ignored my vehicle. Mid-XXX: After the truck sat on their lot for three weeks, they finally scanned it and retrieved code P2701. The dealer stated the recall wouldn't cover it and immediately quoted me $8,000 to rebuild or $10,000 to replace the transmission. They claimed they would submit the case to Ford Corporate. XXX: Having heard nothing, I returned to the dealership in person. I was told they still had no response from corporate. The Paperwork Contradiction: The technician's notes on Page 3 explicitly state: "No update so that one recall cannot be performed, must been updated at some point." This proves the technician failed to look at their own shop's service history from XXX (Page 2), where they signed off on completing the update. Furthermore, they condemned the entire transmission based strictly on a digital code scan; they never dropped the pan or performed any physical diagnostic work. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint 11765851The 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. We will be contacting the dealer about this problem. My vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance or others at this time. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of this problem occured prior to the failure. This problem first occured on Saturday, September 19, 2026 I don't know what the cause of this problem is.
NHTSA complaint 11765541The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, and the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated. Additionally, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle with the power train warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The contact was informed that an unknown PCM software update was completed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint 11765385There is currently a recall on 4 of the sensors on the same rail n the transmission due to it locking in 3rd or 5th gear. When I took the truck in they pulled the codes and it was not one of the 4 so Ford does not have an active recall. There was another person in line in front of me who had the same issue on the same two codes.
NHTSA complaint 11765366I participated in Safety Recall 26V237 -2016 F-150 Ford Truck transmission issues. Under the recall, Ford completed a transmission programming update to resolve the safety concerns. The campaign DID NOT resolve the transmission issues. The truck is still a hazzard to drive & needs further repairs or transmission replacement. Please do not allow Ford to remain unaccountable for the failure to correct the issue.
NHTSA complaint 11765201Driving down Highway 6/34. Cruise set at 65 mph. The truck on its own Shifted into 2nd gear and revving up the engine caused the vehicle to slow uncontrollably, which is very unsafe driving. The 2016 has a safety recall to prevent this from happening. I am writing this to report that my truck has had the recall done, and this still happened. I will park the truck until Ford can fix it. But they are trying to get out of fixing this safety issue with all these trucks. At 65 mph, I lost control of the truck, and thank goodness there were no other vehicles on the road around me
NHTSA complaint 11764971Performance Ford in Utah falsified a federal safety recall completion for Recall 26S28/19V446000 on my 2016 F-150. They only performed a software flash, manually wiped the transmission's safety fault codes from the memory cache, and joyrode my vehicle for 200 unauthorized miles. They returned the vehicle to me unrepaired, where it immediately suffered an erratic downshifting hazard and engine limp mode, endangering my safety.
NHTSA complaint 11764796Powertrain recall stated because the code didn’t show on a SAFETY RECALL that can cause vehicle to shift from 5th to 1st gear while driving per stated recall Ford will not honor because it’s not one of the codes they state but the recall doesn’t specify a code. We had it at the dealership twice and they said they would fix it for $ 1400.00 well we didn’t cause the recall and we should not be responsible for paying. Would just like someone to contact us before my husband or someone else gets hurt in an accident.
NHTSA complaint 11764585The body control module was destroyed when water leaked on it. Apparently there is a failed windshield seal(maybe) that causes leaking down the A pillar. That pillar leads the water directly to the wiring harness for the BCM. 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! Why the BCM isn’t in a sealed box, is mind blowing. The fact that the computer to my truck can get wet at all is nothing short of asinine. The vehicle was inspected by ICDI Diesel in [XXX] [XXX]). The part is currently on order and isn’t expected to be delivered until XXX. The truck is available for inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint 11764520Ford mailed me a XXX Customer Satisfaction Program 26N04 letter for my 2016 F-150, VIN [XXX]. That letter offered a one-time, no-charge replacement of the transmission molded lead frame if the dealer determined replacement was needed, and it described a malfunction indicator lamp and/or wrench light when that part fails. My truck did exactly that. It stored P0715 and P0717, went into limp mode, and the wrench came on. Titus-Will Ford in Tacoma confirmed the turbine speed sensor is part of the lead frame and replaced it (part AL3Z-7G276-D). They denied 26N04 because those codes are not P0705, P0706, P0707, or P1702 — a code list the customer letter never disclosed. The failed part is the part named in your letter. The symptoms are the symptoms named in your letter. I paid invoice XXX dated XXX. The lead-frame line was $1,630.02. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint 11764463Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.