2016 Ford F-150 Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 411 engine-related complaints for the 2016 Ford F-150, about 20% of all complaints filed for the year. Owners reported 8 crashes, 6 fires, and 4 injuries tied to the engine, with a median failure mileage of 51,000. Three related recalls cover the engine block heater.
- Engine complaints
- 411
- 20% of 2,053
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 6
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 51,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Engine block heater components reportedly caught fire while the truck was parked or shortly after driving, sometimes hours after the vehicle was shut off.
- Some owners describe the truck catching fire in the driveway or carport with no clear cause identified.
- One owner towing a trailer with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine reported a humming sound and smoke before the vehicle caught fire within minutes on the highway.
- A separate complaint describes the vehicle accelerating unexpectedly while approaching a stop, with the brake pedal failing to slow the truck.
- Dashboard warning lights and sensor alerts reportedly activated suddenly during a long highway drive shortly before a fire was noticed.
When 2016 Ford F-150 engine complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 31, 2016, latest Sep 21, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2016 Ford F-150
- NHTSA 20V098000Feb 21, 2020Engine13,854 vehicles
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2016 F-150 pick-up trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines and block immersion heaters that were potentially relocated from their originally installed location. The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable.
Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 19V278000Apr 8, 2019Engine131,068 vehicles
Engine
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. During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.
Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 18V894000Dec 18, 2018Engine410,289 vehicles
Engine
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. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine complaints by F-150 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2016 Ford F-150?
- NHTSA lists 411 engine-related complaints for the 2016 F-150, which is about 20% of the 2,053 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2016 F-150 engine?
- Yes. Three recalls (20V098000, 19V278000, 18V894000) address the engine block heater on 2015-2016 F-150 trucks equipped with the 3.5L GTDI engine, covering relocation, cable damage, and water intrusion issues.
- Do the 2016 F-150 engine problems involve fires?
- Owners reported 6 fires and 8 crashes tied to engine complaints, with several narratives describing the block heater or engine bay catching fire while parked or shortly after driving.
- At what mileage do 2016 F-150 engine problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints is 51,000 miles, though individual reports range from very low mileage to over 70,000 miles.