2016 Ford F-150 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 189about this part
- Share
- 9%of 2,086 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 189 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Ford F-150, 9% of the 2,086 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 17 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Loaded up my 6 year old son and 3 year old daughter in carseats in the rear of a 4 door f150. Started vehicle turned on rear defrost. Within 30 seconds, the rear corner behind my child's seat started to smoke. 30 seconds more and the entire back window shattered. Not only was this very dangerous with two young children in the back seat, it was very traumatic for them”
NHTSA complaint #11286964, filed 2019-12, 40,000 miles“Driving down the road we smelled smoke and my back sliding window shattered and blew out. Took it to the dealership and they wouldn't give a complete estimate. Called Ford corp and of course they are dragging their feet. The rear defrost wasn't even activated at the time that it shorted out. I have researched the problem and it has been a major issue with fords for years.”
NHTSA complaint #11290069, filed 2019-12, 52,000 miles“While traveling on interstate at a speed of 80 MPH, my 2016 F-150 eco boost with 50,000 miles went into limp mode due to a faulty electronic throttle body causing me to lose the ability to accelerate and worrying for my family's life as I was decelerating on a busy 4 lane freeway trying to find a way to pull over without being smashed.”
NHTSA complaint #11101604, filed 2018-06, 50,000 miles“While exiting the interstate, making a hard swooping left hand turn, make truck shutdown completely. At approximately 40mph and turning, I suddenly had to fight the lack of power steering. As soon as I felt it stop it powered back up. This issue continued intermittently until I was able to safely come to a stop.”
NHTSA complaint #11292008, filed 2019-12, 52,500 miles“Since I purchased my truck there has been issues with the backup camera. The dealer replaced the apim and had to keep the vehicle for three weeks to trace a bad wire. It has been 10 months and the camera has failed again. I feel as if this is a wider spread issue. Ford even expanded the warranty for the previous years apims.”
NHTSA complaint #11072010, filed 2018-02, 38,952 milesRelated service bulletins
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 17% |
| 2025 | 23 | 21% |
| 2024 | 40 | 21% |
| 2023 | 84 | 20% |
| 2022 | 126 | 21% |
| 2021 | 130 | 13% |
| 2020 | 88 | 12% |
| 2019 | 100 | 7% |
| 2018 | 172 | 7% |
| 2017 | 136 | 9% |
| 2016 | 189 | 9% |
| 2015 | 176 | 10% |
| 2014 | 162 | 11% |
| 2013 | 324 | 11% |
| 2012 | 173 | 10% |
| 2011 | 235 | 11% |
| 2010 | 166 | 20% |
| 2009 | 46 | 14% |
| 2008 | 29 | 8% |
| 2007 | 42 | 9% |
| 2006 | 60 | 10% |
| 2005 | 73 | 7% |
| 2004 | 99 | 5% |
| 2003 | 47 | 11% |
| 2002 | 106 | 13% |
| 2001 | 137 | 11% |
| 2000 | 191 | 18% |
| 1999 | 85 | 8% |
| 1998 | 87 | 6% |
| 1997 | 198 | 7% |
| 1996 | 56 | 17% |
| 1995 | 65 | 10% |
| 1994 | 88 | 13% |
| 1993 | 34 | 6% |
| 1992 | 48 | 10% |
| 1991 | 50 | 16% |
| 1990 | 37 | 13% |
| 1989 | 52 | 23% |
| 1988 | 49 | 35% |
| 1987 | 37 | 41% |
| 1986 | 22 | 36% |
| 1985 | 10 | 36% |
| 1984 | 7 | 47% |
| 1983 | 3 | 30% |
| 1982 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2016 Ford F-150
610 complaintsBrakes
340 complaintsEngine
317 complaintsOther or unknown
256 complaintsBody and structure
199 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
144 complaintsVehicle speed control
102 complaintsFuel system
95 complaintsSteering
64 complaintsWheels
53 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
52 complaintsAir bags
36 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology