YearToAvoid

2016 Ford E-150 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

38/100

#6 most-complained of 9 E-150 years

The 2016 Ford E-150 has 8 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and a complaint index of 38, ranking 6th among 9 model years and earning a "Good" verdict relative to other E-150 years. Brakes were the top problem area, with 38% of complaints.

Complaints
8
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2016 Ford E-150 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes3 (38%)
  2. Electrical System2 (25%)
  3. Other2 (25%)
  4. Steering2 (25%)
  5. Fuel System1 (13%)
  6. Structure & Body1 (13%)

What owners report

  • Steering wheel and driver seat vibrate at certain speeds without a diagnosed cause.
  • Brakes feel spongy or go to the floor with delayed response, in one case forcing a swerve to avoid a crash.
  • Electronic throttle body failure caused sudden loss of power and required towing, with owners noting parts backorders.
  • Dashboard electronics reset unexpectedly, disrupting radio, clock, and dimming controls, requiring repeated dealer visits.
  • Vehicle clunks and lurches forward near a complete stop, with the steering wheel not centering on straight roads.
2016 Ford E-150 complaints: complaints filed per month3Apr 2016Sep 2016Oct 2016Dec 2016Jan 2017Jun 2017Nov 2017
11 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2016 to Nov 2017; peak Apr 2016 (3).

2016 Ford E-150 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V271000Apr 3, 2019Other4 vehicles

    Equipment adaptive/mobility

    Mobility Specialists, Inc. (Mobility Specialists) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Ford E-150 and Transit vans modified to be equipped with Ricon S-Series and K-Series wheel chair lifts. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height.

    Risk: If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards toward the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.

    Remedy: Mobility Specialists, working with Ricon, has notified the owners. Ricon will provide instructions and materials for replacing defective parts. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.

2016 compared with other E-150 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012201320142015201620212023
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Best136614
2015Good2581—
2016Good3881—
2021No verdict5010—
2023No verdict001—

All Ford E-150 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Ford E-150 reliable?
Relative to other E-150 model years, the 2016 ranks 6th out of 9 with a complaint index of 38 and a "Good" verdict. It has fewer complaints than the 2010, 2011, and 2013 model years.
What problems does the 2016 Ford E-150 have?
NHTSA lists 8 complaints, with brakes as the top problem area at 38% of complaints, followed by electrical system and steering issues at 25% each.
Does the 2016 Ford E-150 have a recall?
Yes, one recall (campaign 19V271000) affecting 2016 E-150 vans modified with Ricon wheelchair lifts, related to lift positioning input. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
At what mileage do brake problems show up in the 2016 E-150?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 4,400 miles for brake-related complaints on the 2016 E-150.
Should I avoid the 2016 Ford E-150?
No. Among E-150 model years, 2016 has a "Good" verdict with a complaint index of 38, well below the 2010 (100) and 2011 (75) model years marked "Avoid."

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.