Is the 2016 Ford F-350 reliable?

The 2016 Ford F-350 has 290 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: SUSPENSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Ford F-350?

Top problems: SUSPENSION (78 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (71 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (23 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Ford F-350?

No recalls have been issued for the 2016 Ford F-350.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Ford F-350?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Ford F-350 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-350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Ford F-350 has 290 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 252. The most common issue is suspension problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: while driving at 60 to 70 miles per hour you get a slight shimmy in the back end. as you progress the shake gets worse. the ford shop where i live has a rush in rush out work ethic, they don't listen to the one paying the bills. i have tried several shops to find the problem, no results. *tr. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports 3 crash reports 11 injuries

290

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

SUSPENSION

78 complaints

27%

• WHILE DRIVING AT 60 TO 70 MILES PER HOUR YOU GET A SLIGHT SHIMMY IN THE BACK END. AS YOU PROGRESS THE SHAKE GETS WORSE. THE FORD SHOP WHERE I LIVE HAS A RUSH IN RUSH OUT WORK ETHIC, THEY DON'T LISTEN TO THE ONE PAYING THE BILLS. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL SHOPS TO FIND THE PROBLEM, NO RESULTS. *TR
• VEHICLE BOUNCES VERY DANGEROUSLY CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO OTHER LANE. POT HOLES SHAKE VEHICLE INTO OTHER LANES. BRAKES DO NOT HOLD WELL DURING SHAKING. MYSELF INSIDE SHAKE VERY HEAVILY AS WELL FEELING LIKE A BOBBLE HEAD. STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT WHILE SHAKING. IT IS SO BAD SPEAKING IS D
• UNCONTROLLABLE STEERING AFTER DRIVING OVER EXPANSION JOINTS ON THE HIGHWAYS OR ROUGH ROADS OR STREETS. ONCE YOU DRIVE OVER THESE AREAS, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE TO THE LEFT THEN THE RIGHT. THE TRUCK IS SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. YOU MUST SLOW

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING AT 60 TO 70 MILES PER HOUR YOU GET A SLIGHT SHIMMY IN THE BACK END. AS YOU PROGRESS THE SHAKE GETS WORSE. THE FORD SHOP WHERE I LIVE HAS A RUSH IN RUSH OUT WORK ETHIC, THEY DON'T LISTEN TO THE ONE PAYING THE BILLS. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL SHOPS TO FIND THE PROBLEM, NO RESULTS. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Ford F-350

Based on 172 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 45K 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+

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 42K mi · 42 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 25K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 39K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

WHEELS

Reported earliermedian 10K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 48K mi · 42 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 53K 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-350

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-350 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-350, 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

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 290 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
SUSPENSION: WHILE DRIVING AT 60 TO 70 MILES PER HOUR YOU GET A SLIGHT SHIMMY IN THE BACK END. AS YOU PROGRESS THE SHAKE GETS WORSE. THE FORD SHOP WHERE I LIVE HAS A RUSH IN RUSH OUT WORK ETHIC, THEY DON'T LISTEN TO THE ONE PAYING THE BILLS. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL SHOPS TO FIND THE PROBLEM, NO RESULTS. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: VEHICLE BOUNCES VERY DANGEROUSLY CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO OTHER LANE. POT HOLES SHAKE VEHICLE INTO OTHER LANES. BRAKES DO NOT HOLD WELL DURING SHAKING. MYSELF INSIDE SHAKE VERY HEAVILY AS WELL FEELING LIKE A BOBBLE HEAD. STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT WHILE SHAKING. IT IS SO BAD SPEAKING IS D
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: THE ANIMAL ARE EATING PLASTIC FUEL LINES CAUSING FUEL LEAK
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: AT APPROX. 4600 MILES THE ENGINE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY A COUPLE OF MILES AFTER THE EMISSION REGENERATION STARTED. FORD HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE FOR F350 SUPER DUTY TRUCKS BUILT IN 2016. APPARENTLY THE COMPUTER INCREASES THE FUEL IN ONE SIDE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD IN ORDER TO BURN OF
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)