VehicleVerdict

2016 Ford E-150 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2016 Ford E-150 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other E-150 years?

E-150 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted180 complaints1976: 3 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 3 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 3 complaints1985: 3 complaints1986: 12 complaints1987: 20 complaints1988: 15 complaints1989: 37 complaints1990: 17 complaints1991: 20 complaints1992: 86 complaints1993: 95 complaints1994: 180 complaints1995: 104 complaints1996: 81 complaints1997: 122 complaints1998: 81 complaints1999: 115 complaints2000: 61 complaints2001: 52 complaints2002: 37 complaints2003: 31 complaints2004: 36 complaints2005: 24 complaints2006: 23 complaints2007: 15 complaints2008: 12 complaints2009: 10 complaints2010: 14 complaints2011: 30 complaints2012: 19 complaints2013: 29 complaints2014: 9 complaints2015: 10 complaints2016: 11 complaints2017: 0 complaints2021: 1 complaints2023: 0 complaints
E-150 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E-150 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Ford E-150 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes327%
Other218%
Steering218%
Seats19%
Lighting19%
Electrical System19%
Fuel System19%

Does the 2016 Ford E-150 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V271000OtherApril 3, 2019 · 4 units

Defect

Mobility Specialists, Inc. (Mobility Specialists) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Ford E-150 and Transit vans modified to be equipped with Ricon S-Series and K-Series wheel chair lifts. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height.

Consequence

If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards toward the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Mobility Specialists, working with Ricon, has notified the owners. Ricon will provide instructions and materials for replacing defective parts. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DRIVING ON SANTA FE BLVD IN DENVER CO. WAS COMING TO A RED LIGHT, PRESSED THE BRAKES AND THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR, SWERVED INTO NEXT LANE WITH CARS FURTHER AWAY, AND AVOIDED A CRASH AS THE LIGHT CHANGED.. THIS IS A VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC AREA AND I AM LUCKY TO NOT HAVE CAUSED A ACCIDENT INVOLVING SEVERAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 13, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ENTIRE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 3, 2016

“THE ELECTRONICS ON THE DASH RESET, CAUSING THE RADIO TO MALFUNCTION AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES WITH DATE, TIME AND RADIO PROGRAMS, DIMMING CONTROLS, AND UNKNOWN OTHER ISSUES. THE DEALER RESETS, BUT I HAVE TOO KEEP RETURNING FOR CORRECTIONS. THIS MUST BE COMPLETED BY A THIRD PARTY. THIS IS NOT CORRECT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 9, 2016

“MY 2016 F150 COMPANY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED TO A CRAWL, AND I HAD TO TOW IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY (ETB) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PROBLEM IS THE THERE WERE DOZENS OF OTHER VEHICLES IN THE DEALERSHIP WITH SAME PROBLEM, AND THE PART IS IN BACK ORDER. THIS IS A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 27, 2016

“THE ELECTRONICS ON THE DASH RESET, CAUSING THE RADIO TO MALFUNCTION AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES WITH DATE, TIME AND RADIO PROGRAMS, DIMMING CONTROLS, AND UNKNOWN OTHER ISSUES. THE DEALER RESETS, BUT I HAVE TOO KEEP RETURNING FOR CORRECTIONS. THIS MUST BE COMPLETED BY A THIRD PARTY. THIS IS NOT CORRECT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 9, 2016

2016 Ford E-150 — common questions

Is the 2016 Ford E-150 reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2016 E-150 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (3 complaints), other (2 complaints), steering (2 complaints).

Does the 2016 Ford E-150 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2016 Ford E-150. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford E-150 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-150 years to avoid are 1994, 1997, 1999, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1998, 1996, 2000, 2001, 1989, 2002, 2004, 2003, 2011. The cleanest record among E-150 years belongs to 2023.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.