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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2016 Ford F-250 SD

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 289 safety complaints about the 2016 Ford F-250 SD with the US government. Of those, 6 describe a crash, 5 mention a fire, 6 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the steering, named in 118 complaints, 41% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 63,000 miles, the median across the 133 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers April 2016 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

289 complaints on file

289

Complaints

6

Describe a crash

5

Mention fire

6

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints fell 34% year on year: 19 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 29 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
STEERING 118 · 41%
SUSPENSION 112 · 39%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 37 · 13%
AIR BAGS 35 · 12%
ENGINE 26 · 9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25 · 9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 16 · 6%
WHEELS 16 · 6%
POWER TRAIN 14 · 5%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 10 · 3%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 8 · 3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7 · 2%
0 50 100

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 289.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2023 at 59.

64 48 32 16
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2016 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2016 Ford F-250 SD. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

25V572000 · September 4, 2025

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,456,417 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE

22V337000 · May 13, 2022

The defect
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.
The risk
A disconnected driver's air bag can result in it not deploying, as intended, during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 310,203 vehicles across all model years covered

TIRES:SIDEWALL

16V246000 · April 26, 2016

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,288 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak

PE24014

Still open preliminary evaluation · opened May 9, 2024

the diesel fuel system, the fuel system

The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Ford, and the filter manufacturer, Allevard Sogefi USA (Sogefi), and learned that the low-pressure fuel system is capable of a maximum operating pressure of 8.5 Bar, while the secondary fuel filter is only tested to seven (7) Bar during the manufacturing process. Additionally, changes starting in 2022 by both Ford and Sogefi align with a lack of similar complaints on MY 2022 and newer vehicles. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

2 injured · crash · towed · 70,000 miles

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 DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION FROM HIS FACE HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL DURING THE IMPACT, MUSCLE NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES WHICH RECEIVED

NHTSA complaint 11300748, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

1 injured · fire · towed · 137,000 miles

The contact owned a Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH the contact heard a loud pop from the engine. The contact stated that immediately after hearing the noise smoke started to emanate from the engine. The vehicle caught fire. The driver sustained a hand injury. Medical attention was needed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The fire and police reports were available. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

NHTSA complaint 11541185. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 46,000 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11089790. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 140,000 miles

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 whether the vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure

NHTSA complaint 11713367, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
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 there is nothing else they can do. How long is it going to take for you to force Ford to fix or

NHTSA complaint 11766410, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 dealership afterward must have entered in the database that they have addressed the recall as

NHTSA complaint 11763333, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
Death wobble at highway speeds

NHTSA complaint 11752290. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

127,000 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11750297. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
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 .

NHTSA complaint 11747897. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY TRANSMISSION IS DOWNSHIFTING WHILE EXCELERATING BUT IS NOT SHOWING UP ON A RECALL LIST

NHTSA complaint 11734297. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford F-250 SD

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 9 6 —
2025 16 7 —
2024 38 4 —
2023 43 16 —
2022 123 17 —
2021 165 12 —
2020 263 14 —
2019 1,164 11 —
2018 397 9 —
2017 1,155 14 —
2015 296 2 —
2014 26 0 —
2013 21 0 —
2012 57 0 —
2011 122 0 1
2010 32 0 —

Other 2016 Ford models

Explorer 2,455 F-150 2,059 Fusion 1,631 Focus 1,181 Escape 1,131 Edge 914 Mustang 378 Expedition 217

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst