2016 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Loses power when accelerating
- 29owner reports
- 73,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jul 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
1038 of the 2,057 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 29 of those describe loses power accelerating.
Tick what matches of 29 reports
Loses power accelerating 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: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This group is about the moment you press the pedal and the car doesn't respond. Owners describe no acceleration when merging or climbing a hill, a sudden reduced-power or limp mode, and the check engine light coming on with it. A number say it happened more than once before anyone found a cause, and some mention a throttle body replacement.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the throttle body (5 reports) and the sensor (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable.
During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.
Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.
All 14 recalls on the 2016 Ford F-150, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the F-150
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up. Open, led to recall 26V-237.
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up. Closed jan 30, 2026.
Low-pressure fuel pump failure. Closed sep 19, 2025, led to recall 25V-455.
Unintended transmission downshift. Closed jul 29, 2024, led to recall 24V-444.
Loss of motive power. Closed oct 31, 2024, led to recall 24V-635.
Unexpected transmission downshift. Closed oct 22, 2019, led to recall 19V-075.
Reduced power during hard acceleration. Closed apr 7, 2014.
Fuel tank strap failure due to corrosion. Closed aug 19, 2011, led to recall 11V-385.
Fuel tank strap corrosion/rust. Closed may 23, 2011.
Cng regulator leak. Closed feb 27, 2009.
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head. Closed jan 4, 2006.
Engine compartment fires. Closed aug 2, 2006, led to recall 05V-388.
Ford f-series dual fuel tank leakage. Closed nov 4, 1999, led to recall 93V-125.
Automatic transmission control. Closed aug 27, 1998, led to recall 97V-147.
Failure transmission park engagement/loc. Closed sep 16, 1997, led to recall 97V-147.
Idle air spd ctrl vlv malf. Closed aug 31, 1994.
Idle air spd ctrl vlv malf. Closed jul 30, 1993.
Transmission fluid fires. Closed jul 5, 1991.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 49,532 and 118,000 miles, from the 22 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“While traveling on the highway my F150 downshifted to 3rd gear from 6th causing the truck to slow abruptly. I pulled over and it would not accelerate, after turning the ignition off and on a few times the problem seemed to have went away long enough to get home.”
Filed Mar 28, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 29 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.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 339 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 183 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 159 reports
- Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 128 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 107 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 105 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 95 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 92 reports
- Rear window shatters or explodes 90 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 82 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 57 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 41 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 35 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 33 reports
- Windshield wipers stop working 33 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 32 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 30 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 27 reports
- Turbo failure or loss of boost 25 reports