2016 Ford F-150 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 144about this part
- Share
- 7%of 2,093 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 144 complaints about the visibility of the 2016 Ford F-150, 7% of the 2,093 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,500 miles. 6 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving my truck I started smelling smoke. As I made a turn I saw smoke coming from under the rear seat. I tried pulling over asap but had to drive another 100 yards. A loud bang went off when I pulled over. As I exit the car I found my rear window had shattered into thousand of pieces. My truck smell like a fire and window damage is very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11362814, filed 2020-10, 95,000 miles“The rear window shattered when defogger was turned on. The vehicle was in motion in the sawgrass expressway ramp. You can smell something burning electronics/cables. It sounded like a gunshot and I almost lost control in the highway. The driver behind me had a concerning face also and accelerated out of the area.”
NHTSA complaint #11315526, filed 2020-03, 3 miles“This morning started car and turned on rear window defrost. Left car for 5 minutes to warm up. When I came back cab was filled with smoke. I cut engion. When smoke cleared I saw the left and right rear window panels were smashed. After googling this it turns out to be a very common problem. The rear window defrost mechanism overheats and shatters windows.”
NHTSA complaint #11140614, filed 2018-10, 18,000 miles“I was sitting in my truck I had started it turned heat on as it was 40 degrees out. Was replying to a text message so we hadn't even moved when not 5min after starting the vehicle I hear a loud bang and smelt electrical burning smell and thankfully the windows didn't completely shatter and fall out on my children in the back seat, but both panels on each side of the sliding window were completely cracked and shattering.”
NHTSA complaint #11193156, filed 2019-04, 34,000 miles“I started my car with remark start around 7:25 am got into the truck at 7:30 drive to work parked and when I came back from work the rear window was shattered. My truck has claimant control and seems to have turned on defrosters in the morning.”
NHTSA complaint #11360499, filed 2020-09, 51,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10228881Dec 20, 2022Some vehicles equipped with power folding mirrors may exhibit power folding mirrors that are inoperative or exhibit a clicking sound. This may be due to the mirrors being…
- 10216060Jul 12, 2022Some 2015-2022 F-150, 2017-2022 F-Super Duty and 2018-2022 Expedition/Navigator vehicles may exhibit poor air conditioning (A/C) performance. Workshop Manual (WSM) diagnostic…
- 10201618Sep 6, 2021Some 2015-2021 F-150, 2017-2021 F-Super Duty and 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a vista roof opening panel may exhibit a binding/sticking, glass stuck open…
- 10170985Jan 28, 2020Some 2015-2020 F-150 and 2017-2020 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a rear defroster may have factory installed or service replacement rear glass that uses rear defroster…
- 10164508Aug 9, 2019Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in…
- 10160817May 29, 2019Some 2015-2019 F-150 vehicles may exhibit a rattle and/or squeak noise from the vista roof opening panel while driving with the roof opening panel closed. This may be due to dirt…
- 10144198Jul 2, 2018Some 2015-2018 F-150, 2017-2018 F-Super Duty, 2018 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a vista roof opening panel may exhibit a concern with the glass panel brackets. The…
- 10136594Feb 14, 2018Some 2015-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with power folding mirrors may exhibit the mirror housing vibrating while driving, moving freely or not moving to the desired position…
- 10136589Feb 7, 2018Some 2015-2018 F-150, 2017-2018 F-Super Duty, 2018 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a vista roof opening panel may exhibit binding while opening or closing of the…
- 10138527Jan 15, 2018Some 2015-2018 F-150, 2017-2018 F-Super Duty, 2018 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a vista roof opening panel may exhibit binding while opening or closing of the…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 6% |
| 2024 | 6 | 3% |
| 2023 | 28 | 7% |
| 2022 | 46 | 8% |
| 2021 | 131 | 13% |
| 2020 | 63 | 8% |
| 2019 | 36 | 3% |
| 2018 | 84 | 4% |
| 2017 | 53 | 4% |
| 2016 | 144 | 7% |
| 2015 | 97 | 6% |
| 2014 | 142 | 9% |
| 2013 | 190 | 6% |
| 2012 | 129 | 7% |
| 2011 | 147 | 7% |
| 2010 | 193 | 23% |
| 2009 | 5 | 2% |
| 2008 | 12 | 3% |
| 2007 | 5 | 1% |
| 2006 | 19 | 3% |
| 2005 | 268 | 24% |
| 2004 | 863 | 43% |
| 2003 | 20 | 5% |
| 2002 | 30 | 4% |
| 2001 | 25 | 2% |
| 2000 | 27 | 3% |
| 1999 | 83 | 8% |
| 1998 | 66 | 5% |
| 1997 | 148 | 5% |
| 1996 | 4 | 1% |
| 1995 | 8 | 1% |
| 1994 | 15 | 2% |
| 1993 | 8 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 0% |
| 1991 | 2 | 1% |
| 1990 | 3 | 1% |
| 1989 | 4 | 2% |
| 1988 | 8 | 6% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1983 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2016 Ford F-150
615 complaintsBrakes
340 complaintsEngine
319 complaintsOther or unknown
257 complaintsBody and structure
199 complaintsElectrical system
191 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 29, 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