2016 Ford F-350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Ford F-350 has a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst among 21 model years, with 208 complaints and 3 recalls. It's rated Avoid, driven mainly by suspension/wheels/tires (43% share) and steering (37% share) complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 F-350 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 208
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Top 2016 Ford F-350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in head-on or off-road crashes despite visible front-end damage.
- Steering wheel loses power assist suddenly due to a fractured metal fragment clogging the power steering gear box.
- The 6.7-liter diesel engine shudders, shakes, and rattles violently when entering regeneration mode, sometimes on flat ground.
- Vehicle unexpectedly drops speed and enters what feels like limp mode during exhaust cleaning cycles while towing or driving at highway speed.
- Rear end develops a shimmy at 60 to 70 mph that worsens over time and resists diagnosis.
- Engine bay catches fire after a backfire-like noise, producing smoke and flames under the hood.
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?
- NHTSA lists 208 complaints and a complaint index of 80 for the 2016 F-350, ranking 5th worst out of 21 model years, so it is rated Avoid compared to other F-350 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford F-350?
- Suspension, wheels and tires make up 43% of complaints and steering makes up 37%, with median failure mileage of 45,000 and 40,000 miles respectively. Engine issues follow at 14%, including 4 reported fires.
- Does the 2016 Ford F-350 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 F-350: a rearview camera recall (25V572000), a steering wheel clock spring airbag recall (22V337000), and a tire damage recall (16V246000). None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 F-350 compare to other years?
- The 2016 model's complaint index of 80 is worse than the 2014 F-350 (index 20, rated Best) and the 2007 F-350 (index 0, rated Good), but better than 2017 (index 95) and 2019 (index 100), both rated Avoid.