2016 Ford F-350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
80/100
#4 most-complained of 16 F-350 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2016 Ford F-350 ranks 4th worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 80, 208 complaints, and 3 recalls. Suspension, Wheels & Tires and Steering issues dominate, making this year an Avoid relative to other F-350 years.
- Complaints
- 208
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2016 Ford F-350 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires89 (43%)
- Steering76 (37%)
- Engine30 (14%)
- Fuel System26 (13%)
- Airbags21 (10%)
- Other19 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (8%)
- Electrical System10 (5%)
- Brakes8 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (2%)
What owners report
- Vehicles sometimes veer or make a sudden sharp turn on their own while driving at highway speed, leading to loss of control.
- Airbags fail to deploy in head-on or embankment crashes despite significant front-end damage.
- Power steering can fail completely after a fractured metal fragment clogs the steering gear box hose.
- The 6.7L diesel engine shudders, shakes, and loses power during emission system regeneration, especially while towing or climbing grades.
- A rear-end shimmy or shake develops at 60 to 70 mph and worsens over time without shops finding the cause.
- An engine fire can erupt from under the hood after a backfire-like noise while driving.
2016 Ford F-350 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-350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ford F-350 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 F-350 has a complaint index of 80 and ranks 4th worst among 16 model years, so it is rated Avoid relative to other F-350 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford F-350?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints make up 43% of reports and Steering issues make up 37%, the two largest problem areas for this year.
- Does the 2016 F-350 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 F-350, covering collision avoidance cameras, an airbag steering wheel clock spring issue, and a tire defect from an April 2016 production run.
- At what mileage do 2016 F-350 problems typically occur?
- The median mileage at failure across complaints is 48,300 miles, though Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues show a median of 45,000 miles and Transmission & Powertrain issues show 25,300 miles.
- How does the 2016 F-350 compare to the 2017 and 2019 model years?
- The 2017 F-350 has a higher complaint index of 93 and 573 complaints, and the 2019 has an index of 100 with 466 complaints, both also rated Avoid, making 2016 somewhat less problematic than those two years.