There is an open recall from April 2026 that has yet to be addressed by FORD. APR 14, 2026 Manufacturer Recall Number26S28 the federal safety agency Recall Number26V237 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary ON YOUR VEHICLE, AN UNEXPECTED DOWNSHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR MAY OCCUR AND CAUSE AN ABRUPT WHEEL SPEED REDUCTION. THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR TIRES TO SLIDE UNTIL THE VEHICLE SPEED SLOWS DOWN. YOU MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP MIL ANDOR A POWERTRAIN WARNING LAMP WRENCH SYMBOL IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER PRIOR TO AN UNINTENDED DOWNSHIFT OCCURRING. Safety Risk THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
2016 Ford F-150: check engine light
173 of the 2,098 complaints about the 2016 Ford F-150 describe check engine light.
- owner complaints
- 173
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,800
- typical mileage
- 80,000
- recalls
- 3
Check engine light by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the failure occurred after the recall repair. While starting the vehicle, the transmission started out at 5th gear with the engine revving, and while driving at various speeds, the transmission slammed into gear before accelerating. The vehicle then went into LIMP Mode with the transmission and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the lead frame and PCM were normal, but the transmission might need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, the rear wheels locked up, and the vehicle decelerated. The wrench icon was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 116,500.
I purchased my truck in XXX. Shortly afterwards as I was driving at approx 45 mph, the rear end just locked up and felt like something had snapped inside the transmission or transfer case. I had an extended warranty which Ford took full advantage of claiming that the rear end had locked up due to a bad 4 wheel drive switch and I knew I was being lied to. They got the extended warranty to pay for they're transmission leadframe recall that they didn't fix. They also added 4 degree pinion angle shims under my leaf springs and claimed that I put them on my truck and I did not, they did. They also lied to me and said they hadn't removed my transmission yet I could see fresh tool marks on every bolt on my transmission. They installed a thermal bypass valve in my transmission, I believe so that they could claim that I had installed aftermarket parts therefore ford isn't liable. Not long after Corning ford rebuilt my rear differential that had been destroyed due to the rear end lock up, I got a check engine light for turbine speed sensor fault. Corning ford denied any recall however bomarito ford in [XXX] confirmed that there was a recall for the lead frame that was issued 1 year after the truck was manufactured. Which is false because I bought the truck from a Chevrolet dealer in [XXX] and we went over all recalls and carfax online together and they printed everything. NO RECALL FOR LEAD FRAME OR TRANSMISSION. Corning ford employees were rude and had horrible attitudes towards me from the first visit. They claim to have fixed my vehicle but the rear axle housing is bent and I removed the rear drive shaft and placed it in 4 wheel drive and the vehicle wouldn't move indicating that the transfer case was damaged and they confirmed it should drive without the rear drive shaft but claimed there was nothing wrong with the truck. I had to spend my own money to replace the lead frame and I took it for the recall finally after it's 10 years old and t INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5
Ford finally sent me a recall notice just this year in May. I have called multiple dealers and Bomaritto ford in [XXX] told me 2 and a half years ago to bring my truck in and they'll replace the Lead frame free of charge however any dealerships I contacted in [XXX] denied any such recall. When I received the recall letter from ford it stated the transmission lead frame would be covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles. The truck was already 10 years old when I finally received a notice from ford. I ended up rebuilding the whole transmission myself and it cost me over $1500.00 in parts, not to mention I was without a vehicle for approx 2 months waiting on all the back ordered parts. The lead frame I installed was not a ford oem part. The service team in [XXX] told me either way, fird has to replace it with oem parts. I took it to crown ford in [XXX] and they refused to replace the Lead frame which had a check engine code as well. They claimed it was a software update was the problem. I believe that they deleted it from the tcm and ecu. Ford has done everything they possibly could to cover this up and they got the extended warranty to pay for the damaged rear differential which they used the old axle housing that was bent from the lock up and I have spent thousands of dollars in parts and alignments and the vehicle will not stay in alignment because of the damaged rear axle housing. The transfer case was never repaired or replaced also. They treated me completely horrible and lied about my vehicle ever having any recall for the transmission. They installed the 5 degree pinion angle shims to compensate for the rear axle shafts being twisted from the rear end locked up. Ford is not allowed to install them because it is a liability issue for them. They claimed that they were already on my vehicle which is a complete lie. I wouldn't even know where to get them since I can't even locate any online or at any auto part stores... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Truck occasionally downshifts at high steady speed ~70mph, with a wrench. About 4weeks ongoing, now daily and check engine light is on. Codes are P0720 and P0722. Despite well documented issue, and lead frame assembly recall, Ford refuses to repair. 124k miles.
2016 F150 with 6R80 transmission problem it had got worse after Ford 26S28/the federal safety agency 26V237 was done at Ford Dealership just days before Recall we put on hold and Ford then was recommended it not to be done.Safety risk is transmission down shifts hard and sometimes delays in shift commands.After recall done on 9/23/2026 it also derates,goes to limp mode in intersections and freeway.Check engine and wrench lights comes on.It’s been at dealership since 10/08/2026 because it is unsafe to drive in my opinion.Dealership has driven it and verbally told me over the phone,they drove it and my details and complaints are there.The dealership is telling me they have to get a specific code to replace components under the Customer Satisfaction Program 26N04, which their saying is not there.Even though all the symptoms and problems and unsafe drivability is there even after Recall 26S28 was done and was even put on hold because in my opinion made it a lot worse.Check engine light on because of transmission problems and wrench light on because of transmission problem.I have a letter stating if after Recall was done and problems still exists to contact Dealership and Ford RAC Center,which I did.The letter says replace part because of codes if present, but also says if vehicle exhibits conditions dealers are to replace the transmission molded Leadframe after Safety Recall 26S28 has been completed, but dealership says it can’t do, even after the day I drove home after having Recall 26S28 all exhibits for Leadframe got worse.
Our 2016 F-150 experienced a dangerous transmission sensor failure (Ford Service read code P0722). Ford's 26S28 safety update was performed prior to this, but the physical lead frame has now failed. Ford Corporate (Case #CXH-09620415) is refusing to replace the defective safety component under companion program 26N04 because the vehicle threw code P0722 instead of the four codes arbitrarily listed on their bulletin, leaving a known mechanical defect active on the road. In this case we pulled out from a driveway onto a road and the truck stayed stuck in 1st gear or was in limp mode and the check engine (wrench icon) lit. Had this been a busy intersection we could have been hit by another vehicle. With this part failing, which is known to cause other similar problems, the truck can shift erratically or get stuck in one gear or downshift or suddenly go into limp mode from any speed. Any problems associated with the defective lead frame should be fixed not just those that throw certain codes.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. While the contact's mother was driving 20 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The power train and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle failed to shift into first gear unless the accelerator pedal was released for up to thirty seconds, after which the transmission shifted hard into second gear. The check engine and power train warning lights illuminated after the hard shift. Additionally, the vehicle only shifted between third and fifth gears while driving. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train) and contacted the dealer by phone; however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair could not be performed because the manufacturer had placed a pause on the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
I am reporting that the Corporate Ford Company is knowingly requiring a software update that minimizes a safety hazard instead of eliminating a safety hazard (the federal safety agency Recall 26V237). Here are the facts: ---Lebanon Ford service said that they cannot tell me what the software update 26S28 will do to fix the danger of driving my vehicle. The mechanic (Michael) said that the software update is meant to fix the transmission molded lead frame, but that it does not. My research about this software update states that the truck will unexpectedly downshift to 4th gear (instead of downshifting to 1st gear without the update). This downshifting issue poses a danger to people driving on the highway! Consider trucks suddenly downshifting to 4th gear in front of you on the highway (some towing)! Ford Recall: 26N04 is a fix that will eliminate danger, but Ford is NOT fully implementing it! Molded Lead Frame Failure The Issue: The internal wiring harness (the lead frame) holds the speed and temperature sensors. When it fails, it sends bad data to the computer. Symptoms: Erratic shifting, a wrench light on the dash, or a check engine light with speed sensor codes. Unexpected Downshifts (Recall 26V‑237) --THIS IS THE SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT DOES NOT SOLVE THE DANGEROUS RISK. On XXX, Ford did NOT complete the Recall 26N04 (Ford #), only the federal safety agency 26V237 software update, which does not eliminate dangerous driving on the highway. I am attaching the event information that I gave to Lebanon Ford at the time of service. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO CRASH AND NO CASUALTIES, I CANNOT, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, DRIVE MY 2016 FORD F-150 ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE FORD IS ONLY LESSENING THE SYMPTOM, WHICH IS STILL A DANGER TO PEOPLE. FORD CAN FIX THE PROBLEM TO ELIMINATE DANGER, BUT THEY CHOOSE NOT TO DO SO.
Ford mailed me a XXX Customer Satisfaction Program 26N04 letter for my 2016 F-150, VIN [XXX]. That letter offered a one-time, no-charge replacement of the transmission molded lead frame if the dealer determined replacement was needed, and it described a malfunction indicator lamp and/or wrench light when that part fails. My truck did exactly that. It stored P0715 and P0717, went into limp mode, and the wrench came on. Titus-Will Ford in Tacoma confirmed the turbine speed sensor is part of the lead frame and replaced it (part AL3Z-7G276-D). They denied 26N04 because those codes are not P0705, P0706, P0707, or P1702 — a code list the customer letter never disclosed. The failed part is the part named in your letter. The symptoms are the symptoms named in your letter. I paid invoice XXX dated XXX. The lead-frame line was $1,630.02. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Service bulletins that may apply
- This article supersedes TSB 23-2330 to update the Parts List
- Tick tap and/or typewriter ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change
- For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an...
- This article supersedes TSB 23-2083 to update the Service Procedure and the Part List
- Oil leak from the oil pan RTV seal
- Some 2015-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L, 3.5L or 5.0L engine may require replacement of the...
- Poor air conditioning (A/C) performance, loss of airflow and/or engine cooling fans running continuously...
- Poor air conditioning (A/C) performance, loss of airflow and/or engine cooling fans running continuously...
Related recalls
Engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 20V098000 · Recall details
Engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 19V278000 · Recall details
Engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 18V894000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2016 Ford F-150 check engine light
Is check engine light a common problem on the 2016 Ford F-150?
173 of 2,098 owner complaints about the 2016 Ford F-150 (8%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the 2016 Ford F-150?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,800 (median of 12 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Ford F-150?
There are 3 recalls and 49 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2016 Ford F-150
Brake failure 149Door locks 135Stalling 101Loss of power 80Won't shift 75Backup camera 56Jerking 53Fire or smoke 42Adaptive cruise 37Wipers 37Harsh shifting 36Transmission failure 36Engine failure 29Shudder 27Grinding brakes 25Hesitation 20Misfire 20Won't start 20Slipping 19Overheating 18Screen failure 17Power steering loss 16No deployment 15Key fob 15Fuel smell 14Warning lights 14Water leak 13Airbag light 12ABS 8Collision warning 8Knocking 8Fuel pump 8Sudden acceleration 8Sunroof shattered 8Oil consumption 7Seat belt 7Spongy pedal 7Pulling 7Steering lock-up 6Headlights 5Steering noise 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2016 Ford F-150?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history