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2016 Ford F-250 SD problems

The most common problem on the 2016 Ford F-250 SD is steering, typically around 80,000 miles. It has 1.6 times the complaints of a typical F-250 SD model year.

Typical year1.6x the typical complaints
Year score
56/100
Owner complaints
291
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
124
Worst area
Steering

The worst 2016 Ford F-250 SD problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Ford F-250 SD

Check engine light 22Ball joint 18Airbag light 13Backup camera 9Fuel pump 9Loss of power 7Fire or smoke 6Power steering loss 6Stalling 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2016 Ford F-250 SD mention

P2002 3P20BA 3

Recalls 3

Back over prevention: sensing system: cameraReported September 3, 2025 · 1,456,417 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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 the federal safety agency recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning September 8, 2025.

Recall number 25V572000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassetteReported May 13, 2022 · 310,203 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
A disconnected driver's air bag can result in it not deploying, as intended, during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 22V337000 · Recall details

Tires: sidewallReported April 26, 2016 · 2,288 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 16V246000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2016 Ford F-250 SD

Defect investigations

Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter LeakOpened May 9, 2024, still open

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 secondary fuel filter is only tested to seven (7) Bar during the manufacturing process. Additionally, changes starting in 2022 by both Ford and Sogefi align with a lack of similar complaints on MY 2022 and newer vehicles. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to

PE24014

Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Ford F-250 SD 124

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 124 bulletins for the 2016 Ford F-250 SD

What 2016 Ford F-250 SD owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 25, 2026 · Fuel system · TX · fire

Fuel leak from plastic fuel filter housing caused fire

Filed Oct 3, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Failure of Bosch CP4 fuel pump causing me to be stranded on the side of the road. No recalls currently issued and cannot afford a $15,000 fix

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · FL

I was driving my truck on a highway in [XXX]. I was going 70 MPH when we crossed over a bridge. The pavement was lower than the bridge cement. that cause the truck to have a slight bump when crossing over it. That cause the entire truck to begin a violent shaking (death wobble). it was very hard to control the truck. I had to step on the brakes very hard to slow down almost completely on the highway to stop the shaking. all the other traffic was trying to avoid my truck. fortunately no accidents occurred. I've spent $4000. dollars to try to fix the problem. Every time the Ford dealership says there is nothing else they can do. How long is it going to take for you to force Ford to fix or Lemon law these trucks? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Electrical · ME

My 2016 Ford F250 was flagged under safety recall notice 25S89, the federal safety agency recall 25V572 for the issue of where the backup camera could display a blank/distorted image, or message that the rear view camera is unavailable. The camera on my F250 has not completely failed, but has exhibited the known issues mentioned in the recall intermittently. I received the recall notice from Ford and brought my F250 to Wiscasset Ford for a scheduled appointment on 5/9/2026 to address. Wiscasset Ford did not repair my camera or replace any parts based on what they claimed was "a lack of recall codes were present". The dealership afterward must have entered in the database that they have addressed the recall as my VIN now shows no open recalls on it, despite the fact they didn't replace/repair anything. I received a letter from Ford referring to "Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15" stating not to return to the dealer for this repair "UNLESS" if the rear view camera displays a blank or distorted image. On 8/10/2026, my truck exhibited the distorted image/"camera not available" message again on an occasion in reverse. I took photos/video as proof. I once again made an appointment for 9/10/2026 at 8:15AM to address the issue. Upon arrival and explaining the reason for my service appt. to the advisor, I was asked if I was willing to pay for the diagnostic to be done on my F250. I stated no as my issue was based on a known recall and I showed my photos/video of the failure as proof. The advisor excused himself to speak with the shop foreman. Returned saying they'd look at my truck "as a good faith issue", (generous of them...) but they'd have to repeat the "test for codes" process and if the codes were still not there, there was nothing they could do, despite my evidence my truck having the symptoms relative to the recall. Plus I'd have to leave my truck with them all day, despite having an appt. Took 1 hour to test on 5/9. Left as I felt they do not take this safety concern seriously.

Filed Jul 23, 2026 · Steering · IN

Death wobble at highway speeds

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · 127,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle went into the death wobble and started shaking violently. The contact pulled off the roadway and parked the vehicle. The failure was a recurring failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be repaired; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

Filed Jul 2, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · NC

A Ford Dealer came on a mobile call the replace the Clock spring in the steering wheel. It was an recall the federal safety agency # 22V337 ------- Manufactures # 22S35 They replaced it and now nothing works on my steering wheel. Dealer came to pick up my truck and take it to the Dealership. Has not been repaired yet .

Filed Apr 28, 2026 · MI

My transmission is downshifting while excelerating but is not showing up on a recall list

Filed Apr 6, 2026 · Driver assistance · 150,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the rear-view camera intermittently functioned properly but recently started displaying a blue screen. The local dealer was contacted starting in December 2025, but the contact was informed that parts for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention) recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Engine · AR

On September 3, 2023, the fuel pump failed while the truck was in the corner of an on-ramp for an interstate. The truck immediately lost power while in the corner causing a loss of control of steering. This resulted in a near collision with a concrete dividing wall while attempting to maintain control of the vehicle until the vehicle came to a stop. There were no warnings, check engine lights, or other issues with the truck prior to the incident. The truck was inspected by a diesel repair company where it was determined that the Bosch CP4 fuel pump failed resulting in a catastrophic fuel system failure with metal shavings contaminating the complete fuel system. This required a complete fuel system replacement.

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Compare the 2016 Ford F-250 SD

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2016 Ford F-250 SD

Is the 2016 Ford F-250 SD reliable?

Owners have filed 291 complaints about the 2016 Ford F-250 SD, 1.6 times a typical F-250 SD model year.

What is the 2016 Ford F-250 SD year score?

The 2016 Ford F-250 SD scores 56 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford F-250 SD: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Ford F-250 SD?

Steering, with 118 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles. Next is suspension (112).

How many recalls does the 2016 Ford F-250 SD have?

3 recalls, covering back over prevention, air bags and tires.

What year does the Ford F-250 SD have bad steering?

The Ford F-250 SD model years with the most steering complaints are 2019 (776 complaints), 2017 (717 complaints) and 2018 (253 complaints).

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