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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2016 Ford F-350 SD

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

Owners have filed 209 safety complaints about the 2016 Ford F-350 SD with the US government. Of those, 5 describe a crash, 4 mention a fire, 12 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the suspension, named in 81 complaints, 39% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 48,300 miles, the median across the 117 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

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

What is on file

209 complaints on file

209

Complaints

5

Describe a crash

4

Mention fire

12

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 47% year on year: 8 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 15 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
SUSPENSION 81 · 39%
STEERING 76 · 36%
ENGINE 22 · 11%
AIR BAGS 21 · 10%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 19 · 9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 17 · 8%
POWER TRAIN 17 · 8%
WHEELS 12 · 6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10 · 5%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 6 · 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6 · 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 · 2%
0 35 69

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 209.

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 2022 at 34.

36 27 18 9
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-350 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 · fire · 69,800 miles

I WAS TRAVELING UP HORSESHOE BEND (IDAHO). I HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A BACKFIRE, BUT TOWARDS THE FRONT. AFTER I HEARD THE NOISE, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. MY PASSENGER AND I WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD, FLAMES JUST EXPLODED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IN JUST A MATTER OF MINUTES, MY TRUCK AND 5TH WHEEL WERE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE PASSENGER AND I WERE TREATED IN FIRST RESPONDER VEHICLE FOR SMOKE INHALATION.

NHTSA complaint 11361573. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 injured · crash · towed · 30,200 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT DRASTICALLY WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHED INTO SOME CONCRETE, AND THEN SPED ACROSS THE ROAD IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF TWO LANE TRAFFIC ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE OFFICER WAS PRESENT, BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER (SAM WAMPLER'S FREEDOM FORD, 720 S GEORGE NIGH EXPY, MCALESTER, OK 74501, (918) 423-2800) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE MANUFACTURER HAD SEVERAL TSBS REGARDING THE

NHTSA complaint 11033031, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 124,000 miles

The contact owned a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a head-on crash. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. The contact's wife, who is a certified RN took the contact to the local medical center. The contact sustained injuries to the back and neck. The contact sustained whiplash. In addition, the contact sustained inoperable disk injuries to his back. A Police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

NHTSA complaint 11664836. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured

The 2016 model does not include a cabin air filter. It put me and my kids at risk. It puts the elderly, people with immune issues, kids, etc., at risk. I developed severe asthma at 37 years old and a non smoker. Over the past 4 years, driving the 2016 Ford 350, it came with unexplainable upper respiratory infections. I'm now on 2 types of inhalers. I spoke to Ford and they did not care that the 2016 model does not have a cabin filter. (If this was not a problem, then why does the models after 2016 come with one??) All I was hoping, is that Ford would add a cabin air filter to my truck. I'm not asking the company to pay the doctor bills or give me back 4 years of breathing. I'm just asking

NHTSA complaint 11456509, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On 09-25-2026 I was changing the fuel filters on my truck when i noticed metal shavings in the bottom of the fuel filter. Immediatey contacted Norman's Auto & Diesel Repair and i had the truck towed to Norman's. The CP4 fuel pump was failing, they converted to the DCR fuel pump. The truck only has 71,234 miles on it and this problem cost me over 4,000.00 dollars. All Ford 6.7 diesel from 2011 to 2026 should be recalled. This is a problem that Ford has been knowing about since 2011. INVOICE #018016

NHTSA complaint 11767850. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The issue with truck is the rear window has a large mirror tint reflection. Causing a safety hazard when driving as the reflection leaves other drivers light blinded. Leaving a flash blindness.

NHTSA complaint 11749456. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

216,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated while reversing, the rear view camera independently blanked on and off. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the recall repair was completed. The failure reoccurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. In addition, the contact stated that the failure was peristent. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 216,000.

NHTSA complaint 11737528. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

50,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to a lower gear. The check engine warning light was occasionally illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA complaint 11732909. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The CP4 is failing, this has been a know problem on these F- series trucks for sometime now. This needs to be remedied on these vehicles. This has been known for years.

NHTSA complaint 11730672. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2016 Ford F-350 is included in NHTSA recall [campaign number 25S89/25V572] for rearview camera failure. I received notice probably a year ago and it stopped working 2 days ago. The camera is currently malfunctioning and I can not see behind me when I back up. Dealers state no parts available and no timeline for repair, only willing to help if I pay a $200 diagnostic fee. Vehicle remains unrepaired.

NHTSA complaint 11720789. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford F-350 SD

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 7 5 —
2025 14 6 —
2024 44 3 —
2023 41 15 —
2022 111 17 —
2021 96 14 —
2020 188 15 —
2019 467 11 —
2018 201 9 —
2017 573 13 —
2015 208 3 —
2013 9 9 —
2012 29 9 —
2011 43 7 —
2010 50 6 —

Other 2016 Ford models

Explorer 2,455 F-150 2,059 Fusion 1,631 Focus 1,181 Escape 1,131 Edge 914 Mustang 378 F-250 SD 289

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