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Executive Vehicle Verdict

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.

Platform Architecture: 13th Generation (P552) • Production Span: 2015–2020 • Platform Code: P552 • Lifecycle Note: Pre-Facelift (2015–2017) / Facelift (2018–2020)
Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 1732 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 14 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Service Brakes (258 / 15%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 50 crash / 23 fire / 29 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 16–21 MPG across 14 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2016 Ford F-150?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

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.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2016 Ford F-150?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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 →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2016 Ford F-150?

Summary of 1732 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
1732
Crash Reports
50
Fire Reports
23
Complaints w/ Injury
29
Total Injuries
45

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Service Brakes 258 complaints (14 crashes)
Powertrain 256 complaints (1 crash)
Engine 161 complaints
Structure & Body 137 complaints
Visibility & Wipers 74 complaints

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) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2016 Ford F-150?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #26V237000 Active Recall
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.
NHTSA Campaign #22V150000 Active Recall
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.
NHTSA Campaign #21E027000 Active Recall
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) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2016 Ford F-150

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2016 Ford F-150

How many safety recalls does the 2016 Ford F-150 have?

The 2016 Ford F-150 is associated with 14 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 14 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Ford F-150?

NHTSA records list 1,732 consumer defect complaints for the 2016 Ford F-150. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Service Brakes, appearing in 258 filings (15% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2016 Ford F-150 defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Ford F-150?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2016 Ford F-150 earned an Overall Safety Rating of 5 out of 5 stars across 6 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2016 Ford F-150 get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2016 Ford F-150 range from 16 to 21 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.