YearToAvoid

2016 Ford F-250 Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 27 Fuel System complaints for the 2016 Ford F-250, about 9% of all 289 complaints for that year, with a median failure mileage of 67,000. One fire was reported and no crashes or injuries. No related recalls are listed for this specific complaint set.

Fuel System complaints
27
9% of 289
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
67,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) reductant heater or sender failing, sometimes triggering error codes that force the truck into idle or limp mode.
  • Some drivers describe a diesel fuel smell followed by fire erupting from the engine compartment while driving.
  • Several complaints describe the high-pressure fuel pump failing at low mileage with no warning lights.
  • Owners describe the fuel filler neck rotting through, letting fuel run down the fenderwell and triggering the fuel cap warning light.
  • Some report fuel spraying from the top of the fuel filter housing when the filter clogs, leaking diesel while the truck continues running.
  • One owner reported metal chips found in the fuel causing the truck to shift into limp mode with the check engine light on.

When 2016 Ford F-250 fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 19, 2016, latest Aug 29, 2025.

2016 Ford F-250 fuel system complaints: complaints filed per month3Apr 2016Jan 2017Feb 2020Jan 2022Mar 2023Apr 2024Jan 2025Aug 2025
27 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2016 to Aug 2025; peak Aug 2025 (3).

Fuel System recalls for the 2016 Ford F-250

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Fuel System complaints by F-250 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201010 (10%)
  2. 201135 (9%)
  3. 201226 (8%)
  4. 201313 (11%)
  5. 201416 (10%)
  6. 201534 (11%)
  7. 201627 (9%)
  8. 201754 (5%)
  9. 201821 (5%)
  10. 201949 (4%)
  11. 202064 (24%)
  12. 202141 (25%)
  13. 202229 (24%)
  14. 20233 (7%)
  15. 20242 (5%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 2016 Ford F-250 have?
NHTSA lists 27 Fuel System complaints for the 2016 F-250, which is 9% of the 289 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 F-250 fuel system?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this fuel system complaint set on the 2016 F-250.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for fuel system complaints on the 2016 F-250 is 67,000 miles.
Did any 2016 F-250 fuel system complaints involve fires or crashes?
NHTSA data shows 1 fire and 0 crashes among the fuel system complaints for the 2016 F-250, with 0 injuries reported.
What parts of the fuel system fail most often on the 2016 F-250?
Owner complaints describe DEF reductant heater failures, high-pressure fuel pump issues, fuel filler neck corrosion, and fuel filter housing leaks.

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.