Ford F-150 Complaints (2016)

2,093 consumer complaints on file.

#11655626April 19, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Was driving down highway going about 60/65 mph. Then the transmission shifted from 6th gear to 1st gear very rapidly. Was able to pull over to side of road and truck repeatedly jerked while shifting back into 3rd then back to 6th. Truck drove normally for a while afterward and then it happened again when driving roughly 40 mph. This seems like a major safety issue considering downshifting 5 gears suddenly reduces speed quickly and can cause an accident or loss of control. It seems something with the transmission is the issue. It is available for inspection if requested. There’s been issues with the gears shifting incorrectly and when taken to ford they just say they don’t know what I’m talking about and give the truck back but it’s pretty obvious when driving that there’s a transmission issue. However this is the first instance where it shifted significantly when driving at a high speed. The check engine and wrench lights popped on when the incident occurred as well.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655384April 18, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle will suddenly downshift and has locked up the rear tires. Sometimes vehicle won't start because the P (park) light is not illuminated
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654442April 14, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The contact was able to pull over to a nearby parking lot, and the vehicle was turned off and restarted to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Sea Breeze Ford (1701 NJ-35, Wall Township, NJ 07719), who diagnosed that the brakes might have caused the failure. The dealer replaced the brake pads and rotors on all four wheels. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not under a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 335,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654569April 14, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Backup camera only works intermittently. Half the time it only shows a "white square with a truck icon" instead of the actual view.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654200April 11, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
Driving out of town for a trip and out of nowhere atSteering Assist Fail alert hill decent alert
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653978April 10, 2025
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
I’m a single mother driving a 2016 Ford F-150, my only vehicle, while transporting small children daily. I’ve been experiencing sudden, violent shaking and unexpected downshifting while driving, especially at highway speeds. On more than one occasion, it has felt like the rear wheels try to lock, causing the entire truck to jolt and decelerate rapidly, putting my safety and the safety of my children at serious risk. I’ve taken the truck to the dealership and multiple independent mechanics, but no one can diagnose the issue because no error codes appear related to the transmission or shifting. The only code that comes up is for a faulty catalytic converter, but both catalytic converters have already been replaced. The dealership confirmed that the check engine light keeps coming on anyway, even though there’s no actual issue with the new parts. They said it’s as if the system is being triggered by something else, but they don’t know what. I was relieved to learn that NHTSA is investigating this exact issue in 2015–2017 F-150 models, because what I’m experiencing matches it exactly. I depend on this truck for everything, school drop-offs, groceries, and survival, and I have no backup vehicle. I am asking NHTSA to prioritize this investigation and take action. This is not just a transmission defect, it’s a public safety threat, and families like mine are being forced to drive dangerous vehicles simply because there’s no help yet. Please step in and hold Ford accountable before someone gets seriously hurt.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653083April 7, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Traveling at a speed of 55 mph, truck downshifted from 6th gear to 2nd gear. Pulled off the road, and truck would not restart. Towed to Ford dealer who replaced the transmission lead frame at a cost of $1200. This is a serious safety concern! Thankfully no one traveling behind me, or an accident would have occurred.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653097April 7, 2025
POWER TRAIN
We noticed that the f-150 would down shift and jerk the whole vehicle and the RPM would spike. It would throw you forward when it occurred. We brought it to Hall Ford October 23, 2024. Left it for three days and Hall Ford could not duplicate the issue. We have experienced the issue multiple times and we want to document this issue. It is dangerous. We noticed that NHTSA Investigating 1.3 Million Ford F-150s For Unexpected Downshifts. That is when the light went off that this was exactly what we were experiencing. Please help us get this fixed at the Hall Ford or any Ford dealership near us. 04/16/2025 The contact stated that since the complaint has been submitted the failure has been more frequently. When the contact depressed on the accelerator pedal the vehicle locked up.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652020April 1, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and jerked. The contacted depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle briefly lost motive power. The vehicle returned to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the automatic transmission valve body. The automatic transmission valve was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652044April 1, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact called on behalf of his wife who owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that his wife expressed concerns that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was struggling to shift into gear and then unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed because the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Action Number: PE25002 (POWER TRAIN); as possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651763March 31, 2025
POWER TRAIN
On [XXX] I was pulling a trailer with a 1981 F150 home from Louisville, KY. When we enter onto the Interstate System and reached cruising speed by transmission indicator started jumping around switch between gear and downshifted very hard into first gear while I was navigating traffic - semi trailers and passenger vehicles around us. The truck then went into what I would call limp mood for several miles and we were unable to maintain highway speeds with nowhere to exit the interstate there in Louisville area. Eventually the truck regained normal power and we continued our journey back home to the St. Louis Missouri area. We had to stop several time out of fear to check engine oil, transmission fluid and engine temperature out of precautions. We were very stressed after this hard downshift that almost resulted in striking other vehicles on the interstate from the downshifting and rapid decrease in speed on the interstate. No warning light came on just the crazy shift indicator lights going haywire. The next day on [XXX] I was going to refuel and the transmission downshift again on me from 6 gear to first without warning. I took and dropped it off at a local shop for inspection and fixing. The problem was finally diagnosed as the transmission frame module and had to be replaced at a cost of over $900. I had to take it to another local shop here in the St. Louis Area who specializes in Transmission Repairs because my truck was out of warranty, CP Transmissions and Performance replaced the Frame Modular and told us to keep monitoring the status of recalls, but currently my 2016 did not fall under any. I am writing you now as I've seen several article indicating that my year has been noted as having this issue. I have the repair receipt on file and can share that information if needed. On the road when it occurred from Louisville, to St. Louis, not warning light were present. Only after the second occurrence did I finally get a warning light. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651582March 30, 2025
ENGINE
Transmission locks up and loses power. Took to dealership last fall. They said it was celluloid in transmission paid over 1k to repair and to this day still causes constant safety problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651534March 29, 2025
POWER TRAIN
My truck is experiencing sudden and unexpected downshifting while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651224March 28, 2025
POWER TRAIN
unexpected downshifts to lower gears at highway speeds which leads to temporary rear wheel lock-up, sudden deceleration, and sometimes loss of control.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651255March 28, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When traveling at around 70-75 mph the vehicle will downshift to 5th gear and vehicle speed drops as well, without warning. This causes the vehicle to not want to excel until it comes to a complete stop or turns off and then turns back on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651301March 28, 2025
POWER TRAIN
While traveling on the highway my F150 downshifted to 3rd gear from 6th causing the truck to slow abruptly. I pulled over and it would not accelerate, after turning the ignition off and on a few times the problem seemed to have went away long enough to get home.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651305March 28, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the transmission failed to operate as designed and the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted from fourth gear to first gear. The vehicle jerked and made an abnormal grinding sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The transmission fluid was changed; however, no repairs were made to the transmission. The contact stated that the dealer turned off the check engine warning light. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651325March 28, 2025
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle downshifts unexpectedly sometimes and it also kicks hard when slowing down or coming to a stop. Brought it to Hempstead Ford and test drove it with Charlie the senior service advisor, he said he understands and feels what I’m explaining, but Ford says its normal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650971March 27, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle suddenly downshifted on highway causing rapid deceleration. Vehicle was then limited to third gear (although dash did not indicate such) with tachometer limited to approximately 1500rpm. After resting for 2 days, vehicle suddenly ran like normal, with no logical explanation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650992March 27, 2025
POWER TRAIN
While driving at highway speed Transmission suddenly down shifted Into 3rd gear on its own.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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