2016 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Turbo failure or loss of boost
- 25owner reports
- 92,000median miles
- $6,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jun 2, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
344 of the 2,057 complaints on this car are about the engine. 25 of those describe turbo problems.
Tick what matches of 25 reports
Turbo problems on other F-150 years
No other F-150 model year has enough reports of turbo problems for a sheet of its own. See every F-150 year.
What this problem usually is
Turbo complaints describe an engine that suddenly doesn't pull: power drops away when you press for it, sometimes with a warning light, smoke from the tailpipe or a message about reduced power.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the turbocharger (25 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.
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 engine on the F-150
Loss of motive power. Closed oct 31, 2024, led to recall 24V-635.
Reduced power during hard acceleration. Closed apr 7, 2014.
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head. Closed jan 4, 2006.
Idle air spd ctrl vlv malf. Closed aug 31, 1994.
Idle air spd ctrl vlv malf. Closed jul 30, 1993.
None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.
What owners paid
8 of the 25 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,000 to $6,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 62,000 and 120,000 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 13 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.
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods.
Some 2015-2020 F-150 and 2018-2020 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L/2.7L EcoBoost engine and four-wheel drive (4WD) may exhibit an intermittent grinding type noise while driving in two-wheel drive (2WD), most commonly on acceleration.
Some 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket.
Some 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost engine may exhibit excessive white or blue smoke from the exhaust at start up after a cold soak. This may be due to oil entering the left hand turbocharger turbine housing.
9 more on the 2016 Ford F-150 page.
What owners wrote
“Exhaust manifold studs broke off (as do they all break) and turbos oil lines leak engine oil causing fire. By the time I stopped and got out there was already flames coming out from the hood. It was so fast I didnât have time to be get my firearms or tools out. I have not notified Ford or and I only had liability insurance on my 2016 f150. 3.5 eco boost.”
Filed Apr 27, 2026
“I have replaced four turbos directly from board on the driver side only and now my transmission decided to lock up on me on the freeway at 75 mph and they're saying that it was a lead frame problem which Ford doesn't have any they're on backorder for months”
Filed Sep 15, 2023
“Having a horrible screeching sound and after being diagnosed its the exhaust manifolds warping on both sides by the turbos. Local shop is telling me this in a known issue and cannot figure out why Ford has not addressed this issue due to it being a emissions issue technically and they have replaced several for same issues.”
Filed Oct 25, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 25 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
- Loses power when accelerating 29 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 27 reports