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2016 Ford F-250 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2016 Ford F-250 has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 4safety recalls
- 290owner complaints
- 6crash reports
- 5fire reports
- 6injuries reported
290 complaints, against an average of 306 for the other 14 Ford F-250 model years.
Every Ford F-250 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2016 Ford F-250?
The components named most often in the 290 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2016 Ford F-250 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 290 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does my 2016 Ford F-250 vibrate or shake while driving?33 owners · 11.4%
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 Ford F-250?17 owners · 5.9%
- Why is the airbag light on in my 2016 Ford F-250?14 owners · 4.8% · Recall 22V337000
- Why does my 2016 Ford F-250 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?11 owners · 3.8%
- Does the 2016 Ford F-250 have emissions system or DPF problems?10 owners · 3.4%
Has the 2016 Ford F-250 been recalled?
4 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
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 driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Steering Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up.
Risk: If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon customer service at 1-951-689-4266.
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.
Fix: 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.
What do 2016 Ford F-250 owners report?
12 of the 290 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Failure of Bosch CP4 fuel pump causing me to be stranded on the side of the road. No recalls currently issued and cannot afford a $15,000 fix
I was driving my truck on a highway in [XXX]. I was going 70 MPH when we crossed over a bridge. The pavement was lower than the bridge cement. that cause the truck to have a slight bump when crossing over it. That cause the entire truck to begin a violent shaking (death wobble). it was very hard to control the truck. I had to step on the brakes very hard to slow down almost completely on the highway to stop the shaking. all the other traffic was trying to avoid my truck. fortunately no accidents occurred. I've spent $4000. dollars to try to fix the problem. Every time the Ford dealership says…
My 2016 Ford F250 was flagged under safety recall notice 25S89, NHTSA recall 25V572 for the issue of where the backup camera could display a blank/distorted image, or message that the rear view camera is unavailable. The camera on my F250 has not completely failed, but has exhibited the known issues mentioned in the recall intermittently. I received the recall notice from Ford and brought my F250 to Wiscasset Ford for a scheduled appointment on 5/9/2026 to address. Wiscasset Ford did not repair my camera or replace any parts based on what they claimed was "a lack of recall codes were present"…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle went into the death wobble and started shaking violently. The contact pulled off the roadway and parked the vehicle. The failure was a recurring failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be repaired; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
A Ford Dealer came on a mobile call the replace the Clock spring in the steering wheel. It was an recall NHTSA # 22V337 ------- Manufactures # 22S35 They replaced it and now nothing works on my steering wheel. Dealer came to pick up my truck and take it to the Dealership. Has not been repaired yet .
On September 3, 2023, the fuel pump failed while the truck was in the corner of an on-ramp for an interstate. The truck immediately lost power while in the corner causing a loss of control of steering. This resulted in a near collision with a concrete dividing wall while attempting to maintain control of the vehicle until the vehicle came to a stop. There were no warnings, check engine lights, or other issues with the truck prior to the incident. The truck was inspected by a diesel repair company where it was determined that the Bosch CP4 fuel pump failed resulting in a catastrophic fuel…
The contact's former employer owns a 2016 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while exiting the freeway at 45-50 MPH around a bend, the steering wheel failed to move and crashed into a tree. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V337000 (Air Bags). The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that he sustained injuries to his hand, and medical attention was provided the next day at the emergency room. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to his employer's yard. The contact called an unknown local dealer. The contact was unaware…
Vehicle goes to different gear randomly while driving will go into fifth gear when taking off first thing during first start up of the day.
Ford F250 “death wobble”. I believe there’s a recall for 2017-20?? But the recall needs to be expanded to include 2016 models. I have had this issue twice. Very very dangerous!
On [XXX], I was driving westbound on [XXX], between Kerrville and Junction, Texas. I noticed a diesel fuel smell and pulled off the highway to investigate the source. Upon stopping, fire erupted from the engine compartment and quickly spread to the front dashboard and front passenger seating area. No warning lamps, no high temp or abnormal gage levels. The Mountain Home, TX volunteer fire dept arrived about 30 minutes after we called 911 and extinguished the remaining flames. They commented that a cracked / failed secondary fuel filter housing could be to blame. My insurer, State Farm, under…
We called our local Ford dealership, Matthew Ford of Pryor (Oklahoma) and made an appointment for the safety recall of replacing the clock spring. They proceeded to attempt the replacement and in the process damaged the steering column module, part no. GC3Z3F791KA. We are now being told that Ford does not have the necessary steering column module part and nobody manufactures it for our trim level, Platinum. Consequently, our truck is not able to be fixed and returned to us in the same condition it was given to the dealership. It is still at the dealership, in pieces. We dropped it off on March…
Driving on highway 70 mph. Drove a rough spot on highway. Pot hole patch. Death wobble started. Had to preform emergency stop to end death wooble. This is the 10th time this has happened.
2016 Ford F-250: questions owners ask
Is the 2016 Ford F-250 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 290 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford F-250; the most common categories were steering (118, 40.7%), suspension (112, 38.6%), air bags (35, 12.1%). There are 4 safety recalls. 6 complaints mention a crash, 5 mention a fire, 6 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford F-250?
Across 290 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are steering (40.7% of complaints), suspension (38.6% of complaints), air bags (12.1% of complaints), engine (9.3% of complaints), electrical system (8.6% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2016 Ford F-250 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Ford F-250; the most recent (campaign 25V572000, 2025-09-04) concerns Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2016 Ford F-250 vibrate or shake while driving?
33 of the 290 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ford F-250 (11.4%) describe vibration or shaking while driving. One owner wrote: "Death wobble front shocks, steering dampner and new michelin tires have been installed vehicle will shake violently and have to bring speed down to get back under control." (NHTSA complaint 11684300, September 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 Ford F-250?
17 of the 290 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ford F-250 (5.9%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford f-250. the contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle decelerated independently. the contact drove to his destination." (NHTSA complaint 11383426, December 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the airbag light on in my 2016 Ford F-250?
14 of the 290 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ford F-250 (4.8%) describe airbag warning lights or airbag faults. A related recall exists: campaign 22V337000 (air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette). The fix: Dealers will replace the steering wheel clock spring, free of charge. One owner wrote: "While driving the morning of 13 Jan 2025 my Airbag sensor light on the dashboard illuminated. Shortly after that me and my wife smelled smoke in the vehicle cabin and then we heard a loud explosion and the seatbelt instantly tightened around my chest and…" (NHTSA complaint 11635741, January 2025). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2016 Ford F-250 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
11 of the 290 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ford F-250 (3.8%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "The trucks diesel engine sporadically shudders/sputters/stalls creating a loss of power and doesn't respond to throttle input. the issue occurs sporadically while cleaning the exhaust filter. the vehicle is in motion when this occurs." (NHTSA complaint 10896264, August 2016). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Does the 2016 Ford F-250 have emissions system or DPF problems?
10 of the 290 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ford F-250 (3.4%) describe emissions faults such as DPF, EGR, catalytic converter, AdBlue/DEF or NOx sensor problems. One owner wrote: "Def pump or def heater there was a recall on this when I called about the air bag recall they told me that there was one now they say there isn’t one now and something wrong with 4x4 sleeping or might be transmission bought extended warranty 2 times on pickup…" (NHTSA complaint 11564946, January 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own F-250
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2016 only; combines NHTSA's entries for F-250 REGULAR CAB, F-250 SD, F-250 SUPER CREW and F-250 SUPERCAB.