Is the 2016 Ford F-250 reliable?

The 2016 Ford F-250 has 427 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Ford F-250?

Top problems: STEERING (112 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (106 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (36 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Ford F-250?

No recalls have been issued for the 2016 Ford F-250.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Ford F-250?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Ford F-250 is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Ford F-250

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Ford F-250 has 427 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 384. The most common issue is steering problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: has a hissing sound under the passenger side ,has been giving us upset stomachs and sometimes head aches,just plain sick feeling, when the ac and defrost are on. also from end abs seems to engage when going around a bend and then supposedly the auto correct kicks in and tries to correct the truck p. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 7 crash reports 6 injuries

427

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

112 complaints

26%

• HAS A HISSING SOUND UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE ,HAS BEEN GIVING US UPSET STOMACHS AND SOMETIMES HEAD ACHES,JUST PLAIN SICK FEELING, WHEN THE AC AND DEFROST ARE ON. ALSO FROM END ABS SEEMS TO ENGAGE WHEN GOING AROUND A BEND AND THEN SUPPOSEDLY THE AUTO CORRECT KICKS IN AND TRIES TO CORRECT THE TRUCK P
• MY TRUCK, WITH 41,000 MILES , IS SUFFERING WHATS BEING REFERRED TO ONLINE AS THE " DEATH WOBBLE ". THE SYMPTOMS BEGAN AT AROUND 21,000 MILES AND IT HAS GROWN STEADILY WORSE. IT HAPPENS WHEN HITTING BUMPS OR BRIDGE EXPANSION JOINTS AT HIGHWAY SPEED, FORCING ME TO SLOW TO APPROX 20 MPH TO REGAIN CONTR
• DEATH WOBBLE- 2016 FORD F-250 IS EXPERIENCING THE DEATH WOBBLE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 60MPH. THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM, THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP STATED THERE IS NO TSB FROM FORD RECOGNIZING THE 2016 HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DEATH WOBBLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE PARTS IN THE FRONT

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“HAS A HISSING SOUND UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE ,HAS BEEN GIVING US UPSET STOMACHS AND SOMETIMES HEAD ACHES,JUST PLAIN SICK FEELING, WHEN THE AC AND DEFROST ARE ON. ALSO FROM END ABS SEEMS TO ENGAGE WHEN GOING AROUND A BEND AND THEN SUPPOSEDLY THE AUTO CORRECT KICKS IN AND TRIES TO CORRECT THE TRUCK P”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Ford F-250

Based on 183 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 62K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

WHEELS

Reported earliermedian 42K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

Reported earliermedian 100K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Reported earliermedian 26K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 80K mi · 44 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 56K mi · 39 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 67K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Ford F-250

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford F-250 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2016 F-250, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 427 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: HAS A HISSING SOUND UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE ,HAS BEEN GIVING US UPSET STOMACHS AND SOMETIMES HEAD ACHES,JUST PLAIN SICK FEELING, WHEN THE AC AND DEFROST ARE ON. ALSO FROM END ABS SEEMS TO ENGAGE WHEN GOING AROUND A BEND AND THEN SUPPOSEDLY THE AUTO CORRECT KICKS IN AND TRIES TO CORRECT THE TRUCK P
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN. AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. UPDATE 01/05/2017*CT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: HAS A HISSING SOUND UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE ,HAS BEEN GIVING US UPSET STOMACHS AND SOMETIMES HEAD ACHES,JUST PLAIN SICK FEELING, WHEN THE AC AND DEFROST ARE ON. ALSO FROM END ABS SEEMS TO ENGAGE WHEN GOING AROUND A BEND AND THEN SUPPOSEDLY THE AUTO CORRECT KICKS IN AND TRIES TO CORRECT THE TRUCK P
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: 12/07/16 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. I DROVE IT HOME APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES TO PICK MY WIFE UP AND TAKE HER FOR A SPIN. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG LIGHT, THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT AS WELL AS THE WARNING MESSAGE FOR SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC AND TRAILER BRAKE MODULE FAULT AND THE 911 AS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)