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Exterior lightingPart report

2016 Ford F-150 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
16about this part
Share
1%of 2,093 total for the year
Median mileage
8,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2016 Ford F-150, 1% of the 2,093 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The head lights on both dim and bright do not shine ahead far enough to safely see at night. I have friends who have 2015 model year of the same truck and they have complained to me about it. And in bad weather the situation is much worse.”

NHTSA complaint #10940179, filed 2017-01, 150 miles

“Fire and lots of smoke inside my truck when I used my remote start inside my garage ...dropped back seat, pulled carpet back and witness and recorded a burnt wire hanging down across rear window that kept burning and never stopped/popped a fuse or relay until I shut down the remote start. Ford dealership said it was the rear defroster that automatically turns on when using remote start ...replaced entire back window and wire harness split cost with Ford not under warranty '.”

NHTSA complaint #11154155, filed 2018-11, 55,810 miles

“Purchased used 2016 F-150 in oct 2017. Shortly after purchase tailgate would randomly open while vehicle was in motion. Power tailgate would also open when key fob was used to lock vehicle. Tail lights would also illuminate brightly as if brakes were applied when they were not when vehicle was in motion. Other times tail lights would flicker on and off when vehicle was in motion. When computer was scanned no trouble codes were found. Eventually after several trips to bmw dealership in spokane wa where vehicle was purchased vehicle was taken to wendle Ford in spokane wa. …”

NHTSA complaint #11141313, filed 2018-10, 32,000 miles

“The passenger side LED headlight first began to flicker 2 months ago. Headlight would be on and then suddenly go off. Then the problem switched to the driver side headlight. Now, sometimes both lights go off. I have owned the truck for 2 years now and have had multiple people flash me at night indicating that my low beams are still to bright for the other drivers.”

NHTSA complaint #11362206, filed 2020-10

“I have had two problems worked on by my dealer and neither of them were fixed. The first problem is a leaky oil pan which they attempted to repair the leak 3 times but it still leaks. This may not be a safety recall but I do feel like it is a hazard and I would bet there are probably 1/2 of the 2015-2017 Ford F150 owners with the 2.7 engine with the same problem. If nothing else I would say this is a environmental issue. The second problem I have reported to my dealer is the very poor vision with the back up camera at night. …”

NHTSA complaint #11496722, filed 2022-12

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202566%
20245026%
2023236%
20226611%
202111611%
202051%
2019111%
2018231%
201750%
2016161%
2015171%
201481%
2013171%
201291%
2011301%
2010283%
2009124%
200851%
200741%
2006112%
200550%
2004171%
200361%
2002101%
2001111%
2000222%
1999162%
1998131%
1997341%
199652%
199591%
199471%
1993102%
199251%
199021%
198811%
198417%

Other parts of the 2016 Ford F-150

Transmission and drivetrain
615 complaints
Brakes
340 complaints
Engine
319 complaints
Other or unknown
257 complaints
Body and structure
199 complaints
Electrical system
191 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
144 complaints
Vehicle speed control
102 complaints
Fuel system
95 complaints
Steering
64 complaints
Wheels
53 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
52 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Ford F-150

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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