Known Recalls

Model year record

2016 Ford F-150

13 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2,632 owner complaints on file.

Ford F-150, 2015–2020 generation
Pictured: the 2015–2020 generation. Navigator84, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 26V237000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
1,392,935
Reported to NHTSA
2026-04-14
Owners notified
2026-07-24

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.

Safety risk

Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V150000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
195,864
Reported to NHTSA
2022-03-11
Owners notified
2022-04-29

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.

Safety risk

A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V332000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
292,311
Reported to NHTSA
2020-06-08
Owners notified
2020-10-28

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2017 F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.

Safety risk

A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel and feel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, possibly requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners an interim notification on June 30, 2020. The recall began on October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S31.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V098000

Engine

Component
Engine
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
13,854
Reported to NHTSA
2020-02-21
Owners notified
2020-04-09

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2016 F-150 pick-up trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines and block immersion heaters that were potentially relocated from their originally installed location. The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable.

Safety risk

A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the block heater's location and its cable, replacing components as necessary, free of charge. If the replacement parts are not available, dealers will disable the existing block heater cable from being used until parts become available. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S08.

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V278000

Engine

Component
Engine
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
131,068
Reported to NHTSA
2019-04-08
Owners notified
2019-05-31

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.

Safety risk

A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S11.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V894000

Engine

Component
Engine
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
410,289
Reported to NHTSA
2018-12-18
Owners notified
2019-06-03

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.

Safety risk

When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V568000

Seat belts: pretensioner

Component
Seat belts: pretensioner
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
1,619,112
Reported to NHTSA
2018-08-31
Owners notified
2018-09-28

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.

Safety risk

A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S27.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V767000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
177,264
Reported to NHTSA
2017-11-29
Owners notified
2018-03-16

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 F-150 and Explorer vehicles. Loose power seat adjuster pivot bolts may cause the front seat cushions to detach and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tightness of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt, either applying threadlocker or replacing the lift link and hardware, free of charge. Interim letters are expected to go out January 15, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S40.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V652000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
1,101,107
Reported to NHTSA
2017-10-16
Owners notified
2018-10-12

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the doors opening while driving although they appear to be closed.

Safety risk

A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S33.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V526000

Seat belts: rear/other

Component
Seat belts: rear/other
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
117,423
Reported to NHTSA
2017-08-28
Owners notified
2017-12-08

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250 and F-350 trucks equipped with a crew cab. The left rear inflatable seat belt buckle assembly may be inadequately attached to its mounting bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Safety risk

If the left rear inflatable seat belt buckle separates from it's mounting bracket, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained, increasing their risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assembly, replacing the attaching rivet as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed October 18, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C12.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V331000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
14,410
Reported to NHTSA
2017-05-22
Owners notified
2017-07-13

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles originally produced with black or body colored exterior door handles that may have been subsequently equipped with a chrome exterior door handle cover accessory kit purchased from a Ford dealer. These accessory door handle covers may cause the doors to unlatch in a side impact collision. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

Safety risk

If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price. The recall began July 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 17C09.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V475000

Seats: front assembly: recliner

Component
Seats: front assembly: recliner
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
5,280
Reported to NHTSA
2016-06-28
Owners notified
2016-08-18

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat. The seat back frame may have insufficient welds which may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

Safety risk

The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall begin on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 16C11.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V110000

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification

Component
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
2,894
Reported to NHTSA
2016-02-25
Owners notified
2016-03-11

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 F-150 trucks manufactured April 27, 2015, to November 22, 2015, and equipped with Multi-Contour Seats (MCS). The front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) that calibrates the air bag deployment level may incorrectly classify an adult as a child when the seat massage feature is activated.

Safety risk

If an adult is incorrectly classified as a child, the passenger frontal air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Classification System Module (OCSM) with new software, free of charge. The recall began on March 11, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S05.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train60095,670 mi
Engine31751,000 mi
Service brakes30231,000 mi
Unknown or other25526,000 mi
Structure: body18414,000 mi
Electrical system18040,000 mi
Visibility/wiper10745,000 mi
Vehicle speed control9838,738 mi
Fuel/propulsion system8337,000 mi
Steering6347,000 mi
Wheels3841,036 mi
Air bags3446,419 mi
Latches/locks/linkages3070,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic2478,972 mi
Seats2153,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1840,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1738,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1768,000 mi
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera1649,000 mi
Exterior lighting168,000 mi
Seat belts1427,000 mi
Suspension1415,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1453,018 mi
Engine and engine cooling1180,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder107,200 mi
Back over prevention: rearview system braking9—
Back over prevention892,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe860,000 mi
Structure: body: door837,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window838,000 mi
Lane departure: blind spot detection7—
Visibility: glass, side/rear7100,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline5131,687 mi
Visibility585,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: throttlebody/manifold494,000 mi
Structure466,000 mi
Structure: frame and members490,000 mi
Back over prevention: warnings3—
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer3189,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system3120,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control3—
Forward collision avoidance: warnings3—
Visibility: windshield385,986 mi
Electrical system: wiring218,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: seals/gaskets229,741 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings280,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)256,736 mi
Vehicle speed control: throttle290,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window: electrical heating element238,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer251,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette139,825 mi
Electrical system: adas: driver monitoring: camera/sensor1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: coil167,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: coil: spark plugs134,302 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1125,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly166,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger162,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication190,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: solenoid/actuator189,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1100,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: manifold pressure (MAP) sensor180,000 mi
Lane departure: warning1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch: emergency mechanical release1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: lock160,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: electronic lock/latch actuator1—
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission179,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1148,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: internal: shaft: output1168,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter196,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit166,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator187,000 mi
Service brakes, air187,000 mi
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1122,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip172,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1250 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: critical fasteners122,845 mi
Structure: body: tailgate153,169 mi
Suspension: front150,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing152,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly142,000 mi
Tires1—
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems1120,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal130,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system156,000 mi
Visibility: fixed panaramic roof/sky light assembly135,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor190,000 mi

The 2015 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2017 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

EA26001Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Other Ford F-150 model years

20272026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919871984

All Ford F-150 recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.