2016 Ford F-150 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 600 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2016 Ford F-150, 29% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 96,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “lead frame” (16% of reports).
- 600power train complaints
- 96,000median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $1,500typical repair cost reported by owners
- 59%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Lead frame: mentioned in 95 of 600 complaints (16%)
- Unexpectedly downshifted: mentioned in 69 of 600 complaints (12%)
- First gear: mentioned in 59 of 600 complaints (10%)
- Limp mode: mentioned in 37 of 600 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2016 Ford F-150 at $1,500, and half of them between $1,150 and $2,000.
Based on 24 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2019–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 233 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 600 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury.
Ford F-150 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 F-150 | 25 | 23% | 5,330 |
| 2024 F-150 | 58 | 30% | 10,500 |
| 2023 F-150 | 158 | 38% | 33,500 |
| 2022 F-150 | 160 | 27% | 28,791 |
| 2021 F-150 | 318 | 31% | 55,000 |
| 2020 F-150 | 357 | 49% | 59,000 |
| 2019 F-150 | 736 | 55% | 66,500 |
| 2018 F-150 | 1,014 | 44% | 60,000 |
| 2017 F-150 | 546 | 38% | 83,700 |
| 2016 F-150 | 600 | 29% | 96,000 |
| 2015 F-150 | 422 | 24% | 86,500 |
| 2014 F-150 | 425 | 28% | 101,000 |
| 2013 F-150 | 1,342 | 45% | 94,000 |
| 2012 F-150 | 681 | 38% | 90,000 |
| 2011 F-150 | 826 | 38% | 96,634 |
| 2010 F-150 | 121 | 14% | 60,000 |
| 2009 F-150 | 33 | 10% | 38,673 |
| 2008 F-150 | 50 | 14% | 50,000 |
| 2007 F-150 | 57 | 12% | 70,000 |
| 2006 F-150 | 46 | 8% | 38,500 |
| 2005 F-150 | 112 | 10% | 65,850 |
| 2004 F-150 | 232 | 11% | 35,000 |
| 2003 F-150 | 62 | 15% | 40,000 |
| 2002 F-150 | 53 | 6% | 54,260 |
| 2001 F-150 | 74 | 6% | 64,239 |
| 2000 F-150 | 47 | 4% | 54,104 |
| 1999 F-150 | 75 | 7% | 84,000 |
| 1998 F-150 | 83 | 6% | 95,000 |
| 1997 F-150 | 151 | 5% | 99,904 |
| 1996 F-150 | 26 | 8% | 109,750 |
| 1995 F-150 | 75 | 12% | 120,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
I responded to recall 26V237 by bringing my F150 into our local Ford dealership, Lenoir City Ford, in Lenoir City, Tennessee, on [XXX]. At the time the truck was dropped off for the recall fix, it was running and operating normally, without any issues. I picked up my truck on [XXX] after the…
1.The component that is failing & causing a safety hazard is the vehicle transmission. 2.The transmission shifts violently at highway speeds & causes partial loss of control by the driver & potential additional damage to the powertrain; dashboard wrench light (powertrain warning light) goes on when…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2016 Ford F-150s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 600 owner complaints about power train for the 2016 Ford F-150 (29% of the 2,074 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Ford F-150 power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 96,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2016 Ford F-150?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,500 (half paid between $1,150 and $2,000), from 24 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2016 Ford F-150?
The most frequent phrase is “lead frame”, in 95 of 600 complaints, followed by “unexpectedly downshifted” (69).
Other 2016 Ford F-150 problems
See all 2016 Ford F-150 problems or power train problems across all F-150 years.