Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Ford F-350 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the "Engine Power Reduced" message was displayed and the vehicle downshifted while running very rough before the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and caused metal fragments to enter the fuel system. The contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the diesel particulate filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 20M06 (Diesel Particulate Filter Warranty Extension) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed fuel pump and metal shavings inside the fuel system. The contact was informed that the fuel system and injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to reach her destination but had to periodically start the vehicle and let it run to ensure that the vehicle would remain operable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the diesel exhaust fluid tank had frozen and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The oil and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump. The contact was informed that the entire fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 88,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the diesel particulate filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
I keep on hand a set of fuel filters and other filters for my personal vehicle. The set I just installed (fuel filters), the upper one, made of plastic, exploded while purging the air out of the diesel system. Diesel went all over the motor, the exhaust, the turbo, and all over my garage. While looking into this more, I found more people in the listings showing the same thing to happen to them. I had to go out and spend another $103 to fix this problem, so I could get my vehicle up and running again. Now, imagine if this engine was hot, the exhaust hot, the turbo hot. This would have ignited the fuel and possibly caused a wreck and or loss of life. I use my vehicle to tow a 5.5 ton trailer, so the motor can run warm some days. This could have been extremely dangerous to myself and others around me. …
A main computer communication cable failed (rubbed through) due to rubbing due from the use of the parking brake. I noticed all my gauges were not working. I happened to be very close to the Ford dealer, so I pulled in the lot and turned the truck off to see if the issue would reset. Upon trying to start the truck, everything was dead. I got the service manager and left the truck. When he called me to tell me what he found, I immediately recall reading about this same issue several times on the Ford Truck Enthusiast web site, and the fix was simply moving the communication cable so it doesn't rub.
NHTSA investigations
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.
Fuel System complaints in other F-350 SD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2016 Ford F-350 SD?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2016 Ford F-350 SD, 13% of the model year's 209 complaints. The component named most often is fuel injection system › fuel rail (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ford F-350 SD fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2016 Ford F-350 SD, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford F-350 SD fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 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.