Ford F-150 Complaints (2016)

2,093 consumer complaints on file.

#11716448February 7, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On 11/22/18, Thanksgiving Day, I was driving our 2 year-old Ford Lariat F-150 Supercrew alone on a backroad in Northern Colorado. I was going approx., 65MPH when out of nowhere the truck downshifted from 6th to 2nd gear and caused the truck to lockup, slam me into the drivers seat, and stop in the middle of a thankfully empty road. The engine made a popping sound. The truck made creaking noises from the wheels as I drove it home. It immediately started leaking oil. I took the truck that was still under warranty to the local dealer we bought the truck from the following week as it was a holiday, where I left the truck for a few days, and upon pickup, was told my concerns could "not be replicated" other than an oil leak. I spoke to the 'managers' in a backroom who were 2 men who LITERALLY told me I just needed to learn how to drive my truck better. I asked them if they had actually driven the truck to LISTEN to what a truck still under warranty sounded like after it how downshifted for no logical reason and dead stopped in the road after locking up. They did not. I told them I thought they wiped the codes and were relying on computers to diagnose issues and if Ford knew they had a problem and were hiding it, and people died, Ford would be sued. True story. I reported this to the FBI due to the response because it was disturbing. I know what happened to me when our truck downshifted. If I was on the highway people would have died. Period. I have 10 years worth of documents and all the Ford notes on everything that went wrong with the truck after that catastrophic event. I have 4 official complaints filed with Ford Corporate starting in early Feb., 2019 through late 2025. Shoutout to FormulaFord Rutland for being kind and ethical. I have pictures and video of our truck acting like "Christine" because the software goes haywire when it feels like it. I have the oil leaks and sounds from the wheels recorded on video. Ford Fusion did the same thing. Ford knows. Not ok
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716506February 7, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
Our 2016 Ford F-150 experienced a sudden, forceful, uncommanded lane deviation while traveling at highway speed. Without warning or driver input, the vehicle abruptly jolted into the left lane. The steering was corrected and returned to our lane, but shortly afterward the truck again forcefully veered left. The movement felt comparable to being struck by another vehicle. There was no oncoming traffic at the time; however, had there been oncoming traffic, this would have resulted in a head-on collision. Weather conditions were calm, roads were dry, and visibility was clear. Prior to this incident, the vehicle exhibited no warning signs, including no pulling, steering issues, warning lights, or diagnostic codes. We immediately pulled over and had the vehicle towed to a mechanic who inspected the truck but could not replicate the issue. Although the vehicle was later driven approximately 120 miles home and short distances locally without recurrence, we believe it remains unsafe due to the unpredictable nature of this failure. A vehicle should never abruptly and forcefully change lanes without driver input. We have also experienced ongoing issues with the key becoming stuck in the ignition and intermittent starting problems, raising concerns about potential electrical or mechanical defects. This incident involved two uncommanded lane deviations under normal driving conditions with no identified cause or warnings. Due to the risk of serious injury or fatal collision, this remains an unresolved safety concern requiring investigation. We are requesting that NHTSA review this complaint, evaluate whether similar incidents indicate a pattern or defect involving the steering, transmission, or electronic control systems in the 2016 Ford F-150, and take appropriate action to protect public safety. Once we receive the NHTSA complaint number, we will also be submitting a formal complaint to Ford Motor Company requesting a thorough investigation and resolution.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716508February 7, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission will get stuck in 5th gear. Downshifts when traveling at highway speeds. Sometimes hard shifts.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716120February 6, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission unexpectedly down shift.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716125February 6, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission lead frame failed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716253February 6, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission will randomly shift gears. At speed sometimes it will shift into a lower gear causing rapid deceleration. From a start it will jump to 5th then back to 1st and stall the rear tires.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716276February 6, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission downshifts from 6 to 5 and locks up. I have taken to dealership many times still not correcting the problem. They have replaced celluloid ,spark plugs as well as coils. Although better it is dangerous to rapidly accelerate especially when changing lanes or pulling onto a highway because it loses power.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716342February 6, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Multiple times while driving my 2016 F-150 I would lose all power to my wheels. The RPMs would rise but no power would be transferred to the wheels. This happened one time while on the on ramp at 50+ MPH, a second time while drive down a city street at about 30 MPH, a third time while starting from a stop light, and a fourth time again when driving in the city at about 45 MPH. The check engine light would come on for a minute or two and then turn off. After the vehicle did this for the fourth time the check engine light stayed on. After reviewing there are two error codes the vehicle relayed that the mechanic said are related. During these 4 instances there were two time (highway on ramp and city street at 30 MPH when the loss of power to the wheels caused the vehicle directly behind the F-150 to have to swerve around to prevent a collision. P0722 (Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit No Signal) and P061A (Internal Control Module Torque Performance). The vehicle is available as well as the Scan results from the OBD2 sensor from 4 February 2026. The vehicle was not taken to an auto shop due to the check engine light not remaining lit prior to the 4 February incident at that point it remained lit and an OBD2 scanner was used to read the error.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716353February 6, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle would get stuck in gear while driving, then randomly downshift harshly. Occurred in Feb 2025 and immediately brought in for service at 98730 miles. Service advancetrack, wrench light, and no hill start assist light illuminated on dash. Truck would go into limp mode. P0715:00-64 and P0717:00-6C codes were pulled at 1st mechanic shop. 1st shop did not work on transmissions and referred me to ford dealership. Dealership wasn’t able to reproduce hard shifting, but while test driving it went into limp mode with all previously mentioned lights on the dash again. Code P0717 was thrown again. Determined bad lead frame and needed replacement. Paid out of pocket for lead frame, pump adaptor, bulk head connector, and filter replacement. Problem has not occurred again since repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716355February 6, 2026
STEERING
While driving vehicle between approximately 30-50mph and making a slight turn left or right and lane changes, vehicle steering would stick. Power steering would get stuck and driver would have to manually correct the steering wheel in the opposite direction after lane changes or slight turn to prevent further veering off of the vehicle. Only occurs when vehicle speed is approximately 30-50mph.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715762February 5, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My transmission has unpredictable and harsh downshifts as well as downshifts to a to low of gear
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715773February 5, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission failure resulting in replacing transmission. Vehicle was shuddering when driving. This happened multiple times causing excessive shaking when driving on the hwy.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715774February 5, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Oil leak at transmission fittings requiring repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715824February 5, 2026
POWER TRAIN
While driving at normal highway speeds 65 to 70 the truck downshifts to 1 gear which locks up the rear wheels
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715906February 5, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
Turn Signals, Speed Control Radio Functions, Windsheild Wipers STOPPED WORKING! It effects people in front ,back or side knowing what I am doing so they can react like turning in any direction , My vision is blocked during rain or snow and will cause an accident harming me or others . ' No warning lamps came on when problem happened ! ' Problem has been confirmed by a Qualified Mechanic !
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715950February 5, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I have a 6-speed (6R80) transmission. My V8-FORD F-150 2016, truck transmission has been experiencing SHIFTING issues for quite some time now. I reading now that all of these same problems that has been going on with my truck might be a recall. My truck downshifts very aggressively and I was told it does not need to be replaced but it could be something electrical. I have taken my truck to numerous mechanic shops and all of them have told me the same thing it could be something electrical but they cannot figure out what that might be without just replacing the entire Transmission which cost $8K to do, this is the only issue that has been wrong with my vehicle. I cannot drive over certain speeds on a highway and sense this might become apart of this recall and every issue that I have been experiencing, I would rather have it fixed if it is a recall instead of replacing an entire transmission if the issue is ALREADY known by FORD. Current Miles 154,395
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716007February 5, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The component that malfunctioned is the transmission, specifically the internal transmission lead frame and related sensors. This vehicle previously required a transmission lead frame replacement in December 2023 after experiencing loss of power, erratic shifting, wrench warning lights, and limp-mode behavior. After that repair, the vehicle operated normally for approximately two years. Beginning in December 2025, the same symptoms reoccurred, including unexpected downshifts, RPMs not matching vehicle speed, reduced acceleration, flashing or erratic gear indicators, wrench warning lights, and intermittent reduced-power or limp-mode operation. During the recurrence, the vehicle experienced loss of power at highway speeds, creating a safety risk during normal driving conditions and requiring me to quickly pull over. Although no collision occurred, the sudden loss of power at highway speed presented a safety concern for maintaining speed and safely interacting with traffic. Shutting off and restarting the vehicle typically clears the issue temporarily, but the problem may return unpredictably, sometimes within as little as 10 minutes or other times not reappearing for days or weeks. Prior to the most recent failure, intermittent symptoms occurred for several weeks, including occasional wrench warning lights and hesitation. The issue was previously confirmed by an independent transmission service center (AAMCO), which diagnosed and replaced the transmission lead frame. A Ford dealership inspected the vehicle but was unable to identify or resolve the issue. The vehicle remains in my possession and is available for inspection upon request. Occurred at 97k and 123k mileage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716015February 5, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
My truck has had multiple issues with randomly downshifting while on the freeway, i'm getting a code that leads back to the "Lead frame" wiring every now and then. The code comes and goes without having it cleared. I've had this issue before and have replaced it with the Ford Manufactured part. Its now doing it again but now more frequent not even a year and a half after replacement. I have been almost rear ended multiple times due to it locking up the rear tires and once it locked up the tire on ice and it caused me to slide into the median. There are multiple reports of this issue currently on many Ford Truck Forums. I am currently in the process of contacting Ford again as last time they said to just replace the wiring. My truck is equipped with the 6-speed transmission
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715666February 4, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission down shifted and a wrench came up on the dash. I took it to a Transmission repair shop and they confirmed what the codes read, lead frame problem. I had them repair it. Cost me nearly $2000. I did call Ford in advance of the repair and I was told there are no recalls for this on my truck. Now 2 weeks later I see many trucks have recalls for this very issue, yet after checking the VIN, my truck still has no recall. I believe my truck should have the recalls and I should get reimbursed. My truck is a 2016 with only 82000 miles on it. Let me know what can be done to help me. Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715266February 3, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When shifting into reverse, backup camera screen went to a constant blue screen — no rear image at all now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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