The 2016 Ford F-150 is associated with 1732 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 14 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Service Brakes, accounting for 258 reports (15% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 14 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2.7l 6-cyl, 3.5l 6-cyl, and 5l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 16 to 21 MPG combined. The 2016 Ford F-150 belongs to the 13th generation (P552) F-150 platform spanning model years 2015–2020.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 1732 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 14 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Service Brakes (258 / 15%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 50 crash / 23 fire / 29 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 16–21 MPG (14 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 2.7L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 MPG | 25 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| F150 2.7L 2WD GVWR>6649 LBS PAYLOAD PACKAGE | 2.7L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 MPG | 24 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 17 MPG | 24 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 18 MPG | 24 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV | 5L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 15 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| F150 3.5L 2WD GVWR>7599 LBS PAYLOAD PACKAGE | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| F150 5.0L 2WD FFV GVWR>7599 LBS PAYLOAD PACKAGE | 5L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 14 MPG | 20 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $3,850 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 2.7L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 4WD FFV | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 17 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| F150 2.7L 4WD GVWR>6799 LBS PAYLOAD PACKAGE | 2.7L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| F150 Pickup 4WD FFV | 5L 8-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 15 MPG | 21 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| F150 3.5L 4WD GVWR>7599 LBS PAYLOAD PACKAGE | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 15 MPG | 20 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| F150 5.0L 4WD FFV GVWR>7599 LBS PAYLOAD PACKAGE | 5L 8-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 14 MPG | 19 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $3,850 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| Regular Cab PU/RC 4x2 | | | | | 19.1% |
| Regular Cab PU/RC 4x4 | | | | | 19.1% |
| Supercab PU/EC 4x2 | | | | | 19.1% |
| Supercab PU/EC 4x4 | | | | | 19.1% |
| Super Crew PU/CC 4x2 | | | | | 19.1% |
| Super Crew PU/CC 4x4 | | | | | 19.1% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Ford F-150 models.
View complete 2016 Ford F-150 crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Ford F-150 problems & component breakdown (162 categories) →
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.
Affected Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
Defect Summary: Tenneco Automotive (DRiV) is recalling certain MOOG K500359 ball joints, for aftermarket installation on 2015-2018 Ford F-150 trucks. The ball joint may have a misaligned dust boot and may be missing alignment hole and installation warning tag, which may lead to improper alignment of the ball joint.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: DRiV will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary replace the ball joint, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Tenneco Automotive customer service at 1-877-489-6659.
View all 2016 Ford F-150 recalls & campaign history (14 campaigns) →