2016 Ford F-250 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 F-250 years
The 2016 Ford F-250 has a Complaint Index of 53, ranking 8th worst out of 16 model years, with 289 complaints and 3 recalls. It carries a Caution verdict, driven mainly by steering and suspension issues, with median failure mileage around 63,000.
- Complaints
- 289
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2016 Ford F-250 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering118 (41%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires118 (41%)
- Other37 (13%)
- Airbags35 (12%)
- Engine35 (12%)
- Fuel System27 (9%)
- Electrical System26 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras9 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (2%)
What owners report
- Steering can suddenly lose control at highway speed, described by owners as a violent 'death wobble' that pushes the truck off the road.
- Electrical wiring in the seats has been reported to smolder and catch fire while the truck is parked and not running.
- Airbags failed to deploy during a moderate-speed frontal collision that also damaged the suspension, steering, and frame.
- The engine has caught fire both while parked with a block heater plugged in and while driving, sometimes preceded by a loud pop and smoke.
- A rear window defroster reportedly ignited and shattered the rear window while the truck sat parked.
- An unexpected warning light and stall while towing led to a loss of control and a crash at low speed.
2016 Ford F-250 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V572000Sep 3, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,456,417 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
- NHTSA 22V337000May 13, 2022Airbags310,203 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver clockspring/spiral cassette
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles. Dust may accumulate in the steering wheel clock spring, causing a disconnection in the electrical connection resulting in the driver's air bag not deploying as intended.
Risk: A disconnected driver's air bag can result in it not deploying, as intended, during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering wheel clock spring, free of charge. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the 3rd Quarter of 2023. An interim notification letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on July 6, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed July 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S35.
- NHTSA 16V246000Apr 26, 2016Suspension, Wheels & Tires2,288 vehicles
Tires:sidewall
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks manufactured April 5, 2016, to April 11, 2016. The tires installed during assembly of the affected vehicles may have sustained damage to the inner sidewall, possibly resulting in a loss of air or a tire rupture.
Risk: A rapid loss of air or a tire rupture while the vehicle is being driven may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires for damage and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 23, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S17.
2016 compared with other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ford F-250 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 289 complaints and a Complaint Index of 53, placing it 8th worst among 16 model years of the F-250. It carries a Caution verdict, meaning it's a middling year relative to other F-250 model years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 F-250?
- Steering and suspension/wheels/tires issues each account for 41% of complaints (118 each), followed by airbags and engine problems at 12% each.
- Does the 2016 Ford F-250 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 F-250: a steering wheel clock spring issue affecting the airbag system, a tire defect from an April 2016 production run, and a rearview camera recall shared across multiple Ford models.
- How does the 2016 F-250 compare to other years?
- The 2016 model's Complaint Index of 53 is worse than the 2013 (0), 2014 (33), and 2023 (13) model years but better than the 2017 (93), 2018 (87), and 2019 (100) model years, which are rated Avoid.