2016 Ford F-150 Engine Problems
From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Ford F-150?
344 owners have reported engine problems on the 2016 Ford F-150, 17% of all complaints for this year and the 2nd most reported problem area. Most reported problems happened at about 30,000–90,000 miles. 3 recalls cover this area.
344 complaints 17% of all 2016 complaints 57,000 miles typical
Which parts fail
The specific part named in each complaint.
Mileage when it failed
Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (181 of 344). The amber line is the middle value.
When problems were reported
Engine complaints by the year the problem happened.
Engine complaints by F-150 year
Related recalls
Electrical
Fire risk5L 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. A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Recall 20V098000 · Feb 2020Electrical
Fire riskDuring the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged. A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used.
Recall 19V278000 · Apr 2019Block heater cable can overheat and cause fire
Fire riskWater and contaminants can enter the block heater cable's splice connector, causing corrosion. When the heater is plugged in, the corrosion can create a resistive short that overheats and melts wiring, which can start a fire.
Fix: The dealer will disable the block heater cable free of charge now, and once parts are available, will replace the cable free of charge.
Recall 18V894000 · Dec 2018Get an email when your 2016 Ford F-150 gets a new recall
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Other 2016 Ford F-150 problems
Common questions
What are common 2016 Ford F-150 engine problems?
Complaints most often name the manifold / header / muffler / tail pipe, exhaust system and seals / gaskets.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford F-150 engine problems happen?
Most complaints that gave a mileage fell between about 30,000–90,000 miles. The middle value is about 57,000 miles.
Is there a recall for 2016 Ford F-150 engine problems?
Yes: 20V098000, 19V278000, 18V894000. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.
Which F-150 year has the most engine complaints?
The 2018 F-150, with 587 complaints.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports.