2016 Ford F-150 · recalls
2016 Ford F-150 recalls
NHTSA lists 14 recalls that include the 2016 Ford F-150. The newest, 26V-237, was filed Apr 14, 2026 for the transmission and drivetrain. 3 of them are on the engine.
- 14recalls
- 8systems
- 2,048owner complaints
Newest recall or investigation Apr 14, 2026 · checked Sep 22, 2026
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN, and a finished repair drops it off the list. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Every recall, newest first
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.
578 of the 2,048 owner complaints on this car cite the transmission and drivetrain, 1 of them the same part of it (Power Train:Automatic Transmission). Symptom sheets that include this system: Engine stalls or loses power while driving (183) · Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (106) · Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear (55) · Transmission fails or needs replacement (30).
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.
37 of the 2,048 owner complaints on this car cite the service brakes, hydraulic. Symptom sheets that include this system: Brakes grind, pulse or wear early (338) · Brake pedal feels soft or spongy (160) · Brakes failed to stop the car (95) · Brake warning light stays on (55).
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
Tenneco Automotive (DRiV) is recalling certain MOOG K500359 ball joints, for aftermarket installation on 2015-2018 Ford F-150 trucks. The ball joint may have a misaligned dust boot and may be missing alignment hole and installation warning tag, which may lead to improper alignment of the ball joint.
Risk: An incorrectly installed ball joint may cause the ball joint stud to break, which can compromise front wheel control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: DRiV will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary replace the ball joint, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Tenneco Automotive customer service at 1-877-489-6659.
17 of the 2,048 owner complaints on this car cite the suspension system, 1 of them the same part of it (Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint).
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2017 F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.
Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel and feel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, possibly requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners an interim notification on June 30, 2020. The recall began on October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S31.
37 of the 2,048 owner complaints on this car cite the service brakes, hydraulic, 11 of them the same part of it (Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder). Symptom sheets that include this system: Brakes grind, pulse or wear early (338) · Brake pedal feels soft or spongy (160) · Brakes failed to stop the car (95) · Brake warning light stays on (55).
What owners wrote about master cylinder
“Brake Master Cylinder failed. Sudden, complete loss of brake pressure with all the brake fluid leaking into brake booster. I had to replace the unit as the car was not drivable even after adding fluid. The unit has not been inspected. Brake fluid indicator came on when there was a sudden loss of fluid due to the master cylinder failure,”
Filed Jul 4, 2021
A complaint on the same system is not proof of the recalled defect.
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2016 F-150 pick-up trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines and block immersion heaters that were potentially relocated from their originally installed location. The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable.
Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the block heater's location and its cable, replacing components as necessary, free of charge. If the replacement parts are not available, dealers will disable the existing block heater cable from being used until parts become available. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S08.
317 of the 2,048 owner complaints on this car cite the engine. Symptom sheets that include this system: Engine stalls or loses power while driving (183) · Check engine light or misfire (105) · Engine stalls at idle or a stop (30) · Loses power when accelerating (29).
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.
Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S11.
317 of the 2,048 owner complaints on this car cite the engine. Symptom sheets that include this system: Engine stalls or loses power while driving (183) · Check engine light or misfire (105) · Engine stalls at idle or a stop (30) · Loses power when accelerating (29).
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.
Risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.
317 of the 2,048 owner complaints on this car cite the engine. Symptom sheets that include this system: Engine stalls or loses power while driving (183) · Check engine light or misfire (105) · Engine stalls at idle or a stop (30) · Loses power when accelerating (29).
Seat Belts:Pretensioner
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
Risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S27.
14 of the 2,048 owner complaints on this car cite the seat belts. Symptom sheets that include this system: Seat belt or seat problems (33).
Seats
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 F-150 and Explorer vehicles. Loose power seat adjuster pivot bolts may cause the front seat cushions to detach and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tightness of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt, either applying threadlocker or replacing the lift link and hardware, free of charge. Interim letters are expected to go out January 15, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S40.
21 of the 2,048 owner complaints on this car cite the seats. Symptom sheets that include this system: Seat belt or seat problems (33).
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the doors opening while driving although they appear to be closed.
Risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S33.
52 of the 2,048 owner complaints on this car cite the latches/locks/linkages, 18 of them the same part of it (Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch). Symptom sheets that include this system: Doors, latches or locks fail (159).
What owners wrote about latch
“The driver door latch froze during cold outside temperatures and the door would not latch closed. I had to drive while holding my door closed with my hand. This is extremely dangerous. This is a known recall from Ford and the repair was already performed. This happened 2 days in a row. Tomorrow I will be contacting Ford for a solution.”
Filed Feb 5, 2024
“The rear power door locks freeze and won't latch in cold temperatures 15-20 degrees F, unable to keep the doors closed, cannot operate the truck safely. The power lock assembly fail to respond in freezing cold weather.”
Filed Feb 11, 2022
A complaint on the same system is not proof of the recalled defect.
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250 and F-350 trucks equipped with a crew cab. The left rear inflatable seat belt buckle assembly may be inadequately attached to its mounting bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Risk: If the left rear inflatable seat belt buckle separates from it's mounting bracket, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assembly, replacing the attaching rivet as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed October 18, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C12.
14 of the 2,048 owner complaints on this car cite the seat belts. Symptom sheets that include this system: Seat belt or seat problems (33).
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles originally produced with black or body colored exterior door handles that may have been subsequently equipped with a chrome exterior door handle cover accessory kit purchased from a Ford dealer. These accessory door handle covers may cause the doors to unlatch in a side impact collision. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
Risk: If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price. The recall began July 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 17C09.
52 of the 2,048 owner complaints on this car cite the latches/locks/linkages, 18 of them the same part of it (Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch). Symptom sheets that include this system: Doors, latches or locks fail (159).
What owners wrote about latch
“The driver door latch froze during cold outside temperatures and the door would not latch closed. I had to drive while holding my door closed with my hand. This is extremely dangerous. This is a known recall from Ford and the repair was already performed. This happened 2 days in a row. Tomorrow I will be contacting Ford for a solution.”
Filed Feb 5, 2024
“The rear power door locks freeze and won't latch in cold temperatures 15-20 degrees F, unable to keep the doors closed, cannot operate the truck safely. The power lock assembly fail to respond in freezing cold weather.”
Filed Feb 11, 2022
A complaint on the same system is not proof of the recalled defect.
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat. The seat back frame may have insufficient welds which may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Risk: The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall begin on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 16C11.
21 of the 2,048 owner complaints on this car cite the seats. Symptom sheets that include this system: Seat belt or seat problems (33).
Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 F-150 trucks manufactured April 27, 2015, to November 22, 2015, and equipped with Multi-Contour Seats (MCS). The front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) that calibrates the air bag deployment level may incorrectly classify an adult as a child when the seat massage feature is activated.
Risk: If an adult is incorrectly classified as a child, the passenger frontal air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Classification System Module (OCSM) with new software, free of charge. The recall began on March 11, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S05.
35 of the 2,048 owner complaints on this car cite the airbags. Symptom sheets that include this system: Airbag warning light or recall (35).
Complaints with no recall behind them
The systems owners of the 2016 Ford F-150 complain about most that none of these recalls covers, as of Sep 22, 2026. A problem can be widespread without being a safety defect NHTSA can order fixed.
- Brakes: 301 complaints, no recallbrake wear · phantom braking
- Structure: 199 complaints, no recallwindshield
- Electrical: 187 complaints, no recallstalling · misfire
- Windshield and wipers: 107 complaints, no recallinfotainment · windshield
- Speed control: 98 complaints, no recallphantom braking
NHTSA investigations
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up. Open, led to recall 26V-237.
NHTSA summary
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up. Closed jan 30, 2026.
NHTSA summary
Seatbelt pretensioner fire. Closed dec 17, 2018, led to recall 18V-568.
NHTSA summary
Brake master cylinder failure. Closed jul 5, 2020, led to recall 20V-332.
NHTSA summary
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