Most common 2016 Ford F-350 SD problems
Share of the 209 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford F-350 SD complaints by model year
Best F-350 SD years: 2014, 2013, 2012. Years to avoid: 2017, 2019, 2020, 2018, 2022. Compare all years →
2016 Ford F-350 SD recalls (3)
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette
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.
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.
Tires › Sidewall
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2016 Ford F-350 SD:
Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak
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.
What 2016 Ford F-350 SD owners say
Suspension all 81 →
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 55-60 MPH with her in the front passenger's seat, the vehicle was shuddering significantly, and the steering wheel was shuddering back and forth. The driver lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle nearly drove into a ditch. The driver was able to maintain the vehicle on the shoulder of the road and came to a complete stop. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving, and the contact became aware that the failure mostly occurred while exceeding 54 MPH on a bumpy road surface. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle drove over a depression in the roadway and the vehicle started vibrating abnormally and then started drifting to the left and to the right in the lane. The contact slowed down to regain control of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the contact was informed that the tires and the brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. …
Steering all 76 →
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 55-60 MPH with her in the front passenger's seat, the vehicle was shuddering significantly, and the steering wheel was shuddering back and forth. The driver lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle nearly drove into a ditch. The driver was able to maintain the vehicle on the shoulder of the road and came to a complete stop. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving, and the contact became aware that the failure mostly occurred while exceeding 54 MPH on a bumpy road surface. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle would rumble and shake while driving at various speeds without warning. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, there was a blowout of the passenger's side front tire which caused damage to the passenger's side front quarter panel and step rail. The contact was able to place a spare tire on the vehicle and drove to an independent mechanic where he had all four tires replaced. The contact also took the vehicle to a body shop where he had the damage to the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and he was informed that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V246000 (Tires). The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
Fuel & propulsion system all 27 →
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the cylinder was not operating as needed, and there was engine damage. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer, Summerville Ford (9700 Dorchester Rd, Summerville, SC 29485); where it was diagnosed and determined that there were metal shavings in the fuel system in the high-pressure fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. There was black smoke while driving and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the turbo charger, body mounts, and coolant pump were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after adding diesel particulate filter fluid in the vehicle, the message that the vehicle was low on fluid was displayed, and the vehicle would unintendedly decelerate to under 50 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the DPF pump and burner. Approximately 30,000 miles later, the failure recurred, and the vehicle was returned to the dealer. The dealer replaced the DPF pump and burner again. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer transferred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 52,860.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Ford F-350 SD a good car?
Based on 209 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 F-350 SD rates use caution: 1.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the F-350 SD at the same age. It is one of the F-350 SD years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Ford F-350 SD?
The suspension — 81 complaints, 39% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front. Next are the steering (76) and fuel & propulsion system (27).
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford F-350 SD have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2016 Ford F-350 SD, the most recent from September 3, 2025 (camera). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford F-350 SD?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2013 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2019, 2020, 2018 and 2022. See the full Ford F-350 SD years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford F-350 SD problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 48,000 miles; 51% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.