KnownCarProblems2016 Ford F-250 SD Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 290 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford F-250 SD, most often about the steering (41% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is 6th of 27 F-250 SD model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2016 Ford F-250 SD problems
Steering
118 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
Truck has 80,000 miles on it, 99.9% of which are paved road driving at moderate speeds. Truck suddenly developed the ' death wobble ' after hitting a bump on the road above 45 MPH or so. First noticed the condition 100 miles ago. Getting hesitant/ a little scared to drive the truck at highway speeds. Feeling the…
Upon turning onto a highway and reaching approximately 45/50 miles per hour, the front end of the vehicle began violently shaking and regaining control was not possible until I slowed the vehicle. It seemed as though the vehicle front end was wobbling left and right as well as jumping up and down. Upon inspecting the…
Suspension
112 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
The front wheels will start shaking violently causing the entire truck to shake. This is known as the death wobble. The truck only has 56,000 miles and this has happened several times. It usually happens when you are in a slight turn at highway speeds and hit any type of bump or rough patch in the road.
When driving on freeways the truck goes into a death wobble repaired by Ford. 10 months later death wobble is back can not drive truck safely.
Other or unspecified
37 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 49,500 miles.
Backup camera cuts in and out goes to blue or black screen intermittently or does not come on at all. From park to reverse. This has been happening on and off over the last 5 months. Appears to be getting more frequent as time goes on.
Code p20ba, reductant heater in DEF tank. It is a known problem but Ford did not include my year model in the warranty recall. $1050.00 to repair. I see all over the internet with people having the same problem that I'm having.
Air bags
35 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford f-250. The contact stated while driving out of a parking lot at approximately 3 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated and the steering wheel was difficult to operate. The contact then parked the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer and it was diagnosed with an air bag…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford f-250. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v337000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while…
Engine
33 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The contact owned a 2016 Ford f-250. The contact stated that while her son was driving 35 MPH and towing a trailer with his atv on, a vehicle in front was making a left turn and the driver depressed the brake pedal. An unknown warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact lost control of the vehicle…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford f-250. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was parked andâ restarted when it locked itself into idle mode and would not move. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the reduction heater…
Fuel system
28 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, pre-heater.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford f-250. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the shifted into limp mode. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was due to metal chips being in the fuel. The…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford f-250. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced reduced power and poor fuel efficiency. The messages "DPF system overloaded" and "exhaust system fault - 50 miles until speed restrict" were displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on four…
Electrical
25 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 53,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel.
I bought a new f250 sd 6.7l in 2016. It has 53,000m on it. Jan 2019 reductant heater failed, Ford would not pay for it. Fortunately my ext warranty did after $100 deductable. Feb 2019 my truck while driving on city streets it gave the dash warning : chiming sound, no oil pressure, high temp, service advance trac, air…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford f-250. The contact stated that the sync module failed to connect with bluetooth and the electrical system became inoperable. The contact called the local dealer where a voice mail message was left however, no response was received. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…
Wheels and tires
16 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles.
Bought 2016 f 250 used from dealer now I have tire tread issues. Wife and 2 children use this vehicle as a daily driver because we thought it would be safe. Now not so sure. All tires are original and in good shape until we noticed a chunk of thread starting to separate from tire.
When driving on road/interstate over 60 MPH and hit a rough spot in the road the front end shakes violently. Almost loosing control of the vehicle. This happens very often. Shakes so bad you need to slow down to about 30 MPH before it stops. Not safe.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Ford F-250 SD recalls
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: driver clockspring/spiral cassette
Risk: A disconnected driver's air bag can result in it not deploying, as intended, during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: sidewall
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Sogefi secondary diesel fuel filter leak
Summary
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 second
Questions about the 2016 Ford F-250 SD
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford F-250 SD?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (118 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); suspension (112 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles); other or unspecified (37 complaints, typically around 49,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Ford F-250 SD have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 3, 2025 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Ford F-250 SD?
- It is 6th of 27 F-250 SD model years by number of complaints, with 290 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.