Diagsheet

2016 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet

Check engine light or misfire

  • 105owner reports
  • 73,000median miles
  • $5,000median quote
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Jul 17, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026

552 of the 2,057 complaints on this car are about the engine. 105 of those describe misfire.

3 recalls on this systemcovering the 2016 model year
No crash reportedin 105 reports

Tick what matches of 105 reports

35
2
4
8
11
23

Misfire on other F-150 years

Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.

What this problem usually is

These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.

Read the full explainer · Which cars report it most

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the sensor (15 reports), the spark plugs (10 reports), the ignition coils (6 reports) and the catalytic converter (4 reports).

Recalls and investigations

3 recalls on the engine cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

20V-098Feb 21, 2020
Engine

The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable.

Risk, remedy and owner complaints on recall 20V-098

19V-278Apr 8, 2019
Engine

During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.

Risk, remedy and owner complaints on recall 19V-278

18V-894Dec 18, 2018
Engine

Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.

Risk, remedy and owner complaints on recall 18V-894

All 14 recalls on the 2016 Ford F-150, with the owner complaints on each recalled system

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the F-150

PE24-019opened Jul 29, 2024
Fuel system · model years 2018 to 2022

Low-pressure fuel pump failure. Closed sep 19, 2025, led to recall 25V-455.

EA23-002opened Sep 29, 2023
Engine · model years 2021 to 2022

Loss of motive power. Closed oct 31, 2024, led to recall 24V-635.

PE13-018opened May 22, 2013
Engine · model years 2011 to 2013

Reduced power during hard acceleration. Closed apr 7, 2014.

EA11-006opened May 4, 2011
Fuel system · model years 1997 to 2004

Fuel tank strap failure due to corrosion. Closed aug 19, 2011, led to recall 11V-385.

PE10-036opened Sep 7, 2010
Fuel system · model years 1997 to 2001

Fuel tank strap corrosion/rust. Closed may 23, 2011.

PE08-063opened Oct 31, 2008
Fuel system · model years 2003 to 2004

Cng regulator leak. Closed feb 27, 2009.

DP05-005opened Sep 22, 2005
Engine · model years 1997 to 2004

Spark plug ejection from cylinder head. Closed jan 4, 2006.

EA05-005opened Mar 22, 2005
Electrical · model years 1994 to 2002

Engine compartment fires. Closed aug 2, 2006, led to recall 05V-388.

RQ98-008opened May 29, 1998
Fuel system · model years 1991 to 1993

Ford f-series dual fuel tank leakage. Closed nov 4, 1999, led to recall 93V-125.

EA93-022opened Jul 30, 1993
Engine · model years 1991 to 1992

Idle air spd ctrl vlv malf. Closed aug 31, 1994.

PE93-010opened Mar 2, 1993
Engine · model years 1991 to 1992

Idle air spd ctrl vlv malf. Closed jul 30, 1993.

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

What owners paid

7 of the 105 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,500 to $6,212.

$1,500$5,000$6,212
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 40,000 and 101,000 miles, from the 76 reports that gave a mileage.

Complaints by the year NHTSA received them: 2016: 7, 2017: 2, 2018: 6, 2019: 7, 2020: 8, 2021: 5, 2022: 9, 2023: 16, 2024: 22, 2025: 14, 2026: 97'162'176'187'198'205'219'2216'2322'2414'259'26

Is this a known problem?

The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 16 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Ford F-150 that deal with this problem. Newest first.

Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.

12 more on the 2016 Ford F-150 page.

What owners wrote

“While at idle with a hot engine, the vehicle will intermittently shudder and stall. Once a check engine light appeared with the vault being cam shaft sensor. The check engine light has not reappeared to assist a mechanic as to the specific fault. The engine still has an idle issue which seems to be common with this engine and model year according to auto forums I have visited.”

Filed May 25, 2025

“The truck went into limp mode while driving in the highway and did a hard shift down. The truck almost crashed due to the sudden problem. The code that came up was P0706 and P0707. From what I understand, Ford has had problems with this in previous years. The problem still occurs with my truck model as well.”

Filed Jun 9, 2024

“Bad valve guide causing oil to leak past into the cylinder head. Bad smoke at startup and poor gas mileage. Motor needs replacement because it's cheaper than replacing the bad guides or cylinder heads.”

Filed May 9, 2024

“Check engine light just came on. Before that engine would shutter then stall. No steering and brakes could end up poorly. Think this is a safety hazard”

Filed Feb 12, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 105 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.

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