2016 Ford F-250 SD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
287 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
63,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 133 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 117 of 287 complaints (40.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 83 | 28.9% |
| Braking behavior | 25 | 8.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 3.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 3.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 1.7% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 117 |
| Suspension | 109 |
| Unknown Or Other | 36 |
| Air Bags | 35 |
| Engine | 26 |
| Electrical System | 22 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 16 |
| Wheels | 15 |
Steering: 117; Suspension: 109; Unknown Or Other: 36; Air Bags: 35; Engine: 26; Electrical System: 22; Fuel/Propulsion System: 16; Wheels: 15
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 24 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 25 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 28 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 17 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 25 |
| 150,000 and above | 14 |
Under 25,000: 24; 25,000 to 49,999: 25; 50,000 to 74,999: 28; 75,000 to 99,999: 17; 100,000 to 149,999: 25; 150,000 and above: 14
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (28). 154 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 19 |
| 2020 | 39 |
| 2021 | 29 |
| 2022 | 47 |
| 2023 | 59 |
| 2024 | 33 |
| 2025 | 23 |
| 2026 | 11 |
2016: 7; 2017: 10; 2018: 10; 2019: 19; 2020: 39; 2021: 29; 2022: 47; 2023: 59; 2024: 33; 2025: 23; 2026: 11
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 83 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 25 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10959697 · 2017-03-08 (March 8, 2017)
HAS A HISSING SOUND UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE ,HAS BEEN GIVING US UPSET STOMACHS AND SOMETIMES HEAD ACHES,JUST PLAIN SICK FEELING, WHEN THE AC AND DEFROST ARE ON. ALSO FROM END ABS SEEMS TO ENGAGE WHEN GOING AROUND A BEND AND THEN SUPPOSEDLY THE AUTO CORRECT KICKS IN AND TRIES TO CORRECT THE TRUCK PULLING STEERING WHEEL. WAS TOLD THEY TESTED ONE TRUCK AND IT DID IT ONE TIME,THIS IS AFTER THEY PUT IN COUNTLESS HRS ON LABOR PLUS A $1000 INTO A NEW STEERING COLUMN AND DETERMINED THAT IT IS NORMAL OPERATING CONDITION. DIDN'T BUY IT FOR THIS GOD FO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10959697 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11089790 · 2018-04-24 (April 24, 2018)
I TOTALED MY 2016 FORD F-250. I SLAMMED INTO A DODGE RAM AT ABOUT 45MPH. MY F-250 BROKE THE SUSPENSION, STEERING, BENT THE FRAME, CRUMPLED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BROKE THE BRAKES. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11089790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10969436 · 2017-03-29 (March 29, 2017)
12/07/16 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. I DROVE IT HOME APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES TO PICK MY WIFE UP AND TAKE HER FOR A SPIN. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG LIGHT, THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT AS WELL AS THE WARNING MESSAGE FOR SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC AND TRAILER BRAKE MODULE FAULT AND THE 911 ASSIST NON OPERATIONAL. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE. THEY HAD THE TRUCK FOR ABOUT FIVE DAYS. WHEN I PICKED UP MY TRUCK BEFORE I EVEN GOT OFF THE LOT ALL THE LIGHTS AND MESSAGES CAME O…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10969436 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10860362 · 2016-04-19 (April 19, 2016)
09/05/2016 PURCHASED 2016 FORD. 11/24/16 FUEL FILTER PLUGED, REPLACED AT LANDERS FORD BENTON AR.12/23,2016 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CODES P008A, LOW FUEL PRESSURE/ AND P0170 , SOMETHING TO DO WIOTH THE FUEL) TOOK TO DONLEY FORSD GALION OHIO. THEY WERE NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BUT SUGESTED CHANGING THE FUEL FILTERS. TRUCK WAS UNDER WARANTY BUT CHARGED ME TO DO SO MILEAGE WAS 27,486. 1/12/16 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AGAIN TOOK TO HACIENDA FORD EDINBURG, TX FOUND CODES P0170 (SECOND TIME) AND P229F SOME KIND OF SENSOR. THEY CHECKED THE FUEL AND FOUND METAL IN TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,240 miles reported. Look up ODI 10860362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10876488 · 2016-06-24 (June 24, 2016)
THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT IS NOT GUARDED. POOR DESIGN, I HAVE A FLEET OF FORD TRUCKS. I HAVE A 2010 F250 CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP, FORD HAS A FACTORY SHIELD COVERING THE EXPOSED FUEL LINES. FORD IS ALSO NOT COVERING THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO STATED THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TRUCK WITH THIS DAMAGE. FUEL WAS SPRAYING ON THE EXHAUST FOR A WHILE BEFORE IT DIED.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10876488 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10980457 · 2017-04-25 (April 25, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME, THE CONTACT NOTICED DARK GRAY SMOKE BILLOWING OUT THE WINDOWS OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND NOTICED THE SEATS WERE ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND NOTICED WIRES IN THE SEAT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT UNHOOKED THE VEHICLE BATTERY, BUT WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL COLLISION LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE F…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10980457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11474542 · 2022-07-18 (July 18, 2022)
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the shifted into Limp Mode. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was due to metal chips being in the fuel. The independent mechanic advised the contact to tow the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was awaiting a final diagnostic report. The mechanic confirmed metal chips inside the fuel. The contact stated tha…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11474542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11550681 · 2023-10-18 (October 18, 2023)
The bushing on the cable that holds the transmission gear selector cable to to the transmission gear selector bracket on the transmission housing broke and left the truck unable to be shifted in or out of gear using the lever on the steering column. The only way to move the vehicle was to crawl under the vehicle and manually move the gear shift selector to the desired gear. I was able to drive it to a Ford dealer for immediate repair. There were no warning signs and the truck was operating with no problems/issues prior to this incident. The…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11550681 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10896264 · 2016-08-16 (August 16, 2016)
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. THIS HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES AND IT HAS OCCURRED ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. THIS HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES. THE DEALER HAS REFLASHED THE SOFTWARE ONCE. IT IS CURRENTLY AT A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THE PAST 30 DAYS. THEY STATED THEY ARE REPLACING THE VALVES ON THE LEFT SIDE( HEAD) AND MAY SEND THE HEAD TO A MACHINE …
Owner-reported narrative. 8,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10896264 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11300748 · 2020-01-21 (January 21, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND TOWING A TRAILER WITH HIS ATV ON, A VEHICLE IN FRONT WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT THAT WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED 125 FEET DOWN THE ROAD, CROSSED OVER TO THE OPPOSITE LANES, CRASHED INTO SOME TREES WHERE IT EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYE…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11300748 at NHTSA ↗