2016 Ford F-450 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
7/100
#15 most-complained of 16 F-450 years
The 2016 Ford F-450 ranks 15th out of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 7 and a 'Best' verdict. It has only 5 complaints and 3 recalls, with Brakes as the top problem area at 40% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2016 Ford F-450 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes2 (40%)
- Engine1 (20%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (20%)
What owners report
- Owners report the brake warning system activating suddenly along with ABS, traction control, and parking brake lights while towing at highway speed.
- Some describe the transmission unexpectedly shifting into first gear on its own at various speeds, causing the rear wheels to lock up and the truck to become undrivable.
- Others report brakes locking up and refusing to release after sudden stops, requiring the truck to be shut off and the parking brake cycled before it would move again.
- One owner reported a sudden loss of power with an engine warning message, later diagnosed as metal shavings found inside the engine.
2016 Ford F-450 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-450 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ford F-450 a good year?
- Yes, relative to other F-450 model years. It has a Complaint Index of 7, the lowest among the 16 years with data, and carries a 'Best' verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford F-450?
- NHTSA complaints point to Brakes as the top problem area, making up 40% of the 5 total complaints for this year, followed by Engine, Suspension, and Transmission at 20% each.
- Does the 2016 Ford F-450 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 F-450, covering the rearview camera, a steering wheel clock spring affected by dust accumulation, and tires installed during a specific assembly window in April 2016.
- How does the 2016 F-450 compare to other years?
- The 2016 F-450 has a Complaint Index of 7, far lower than years like 2022 (100) and 2020 (80), which carry 'Avoid' verdicts.