2016 Ford F-550 SD Problems & Complaints

Average47% fewer complaints than a typical year of the F-550 SD at the same age

Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2016 Ford F-550 SD with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the F-550 SD at the same age. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (2 complaints). 3 recalls cover this model year.

3complaints
3recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2016 Ford F-550 SD problems

  • Engine & cooling
    267%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~49,000 miles
    133%
  • Other / not specified
    133%

Share of the 3 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Ford F-550 SD complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’262617229223349324423261136291132441291211
Owner complaints per model year, Ford F-550 SD. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best F-550 SD years: 2018, 2013, 2017. Years to avoid: 2000, 1999, 2004, 2006, 2005. Compare all years →

2016 Ford F-550 SD recalls (3)

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 25V-572 · Sep 3, 2025 · 1,456,417 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 22V-337 · May 13, 2022 · 310,203 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 16V-246 · Apr 26, 2016 · 2,288 vehicles

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-550 SD:

Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak

NHTSA investigation PE24014 · opened May 9, 2024 · open

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.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Ford F-550 SD a good car?

Based on 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 F-550 SD rates average: 47% fewer complaints than a typical year of the F-550 SD at the same age. 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-550 SD?

The engine & cooling — 2 complaints, 67% of all complaints for this model year. Next is the fuel & propulsion system (1).

How many recalls does the 2016 Ford F-550 SD have?

There are 3 recalls for the 2016 Ford F-550 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-550 SD?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2013 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000, 1999, 2004, 2006 and 2005. See the full Ford F-550 SD years comparison.

At what mileage do 2016 Ford F-550 SD problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 49,000 miles; 100% 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.