2016 Ford F-350 SD Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2016 F-350 Super Duty most often describe a violent front-end shake after hitting a bump or expansion joint at highway speed, along with hard shifting and shuddering from the transmission and diesel emissions-related faults that can cut power. Reports span a wide mileage range, from trucks with only a few thousand miles to well past 150,000, so the issues are not tied to one point in the truck's life. Several complaints involve parts or repairs that were unavailable at the time, including recall remedies.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Front-end shake after a bump ("death wobble")

   • 88 complaints (42%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 4.1 yrs old (49 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2024

   Complaints describe the front of the truck shaking violently after hitting a bump, pothole, or expansion joint, usually at highway speed. Owners say they must slow sharply or stop to regain control, and some report the steering wheel shuddering on its own at certain speeds. Repairs mentioned include track bar bushings and joints, tie rods, a steering damper, and front axle work, with varying results — some say the shake returned shortly after. Several owners report the dealer described it as a known condition on these trucks. Reported from about 7,000 miles to over 155,000 miles, most often at highway speeds over 50 mph when the truck hits a bump or uneven pavement.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed and drive over a bridge joint or rough patch to see whether the front end shakes. Ask for service records on the track bar, tie rods, steering damper, and front axle, and check whether the truck has any aftermarket lift or steering changes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving the f350 at 70 MPH out of nowhere the vehicle started the death wobble at the front end. Making it practically impossible to keep control of the vehicle! My family and I almost caused a major accident on the interstate! I had to slow down to 30 MPH to get the vehicle under control!”

   NHTSA complaint #11338891, filed 2020-07, 95,782 miles

   “Accelerated into the highway. I was at 70 MPH when I went to change lanes when the steering wheel started shaking uncontrollably, I couldn't brake and could hardly manage to keep my hands on the wheel to try and steer to the side of the road. Issue was diagnosed as 'death wobble' which was explained as a suspension issue. Called the dealership and was informed this is a known issue and has been for a long time.”

   NHTSA complaint #11349754, filed 2020-08, 46,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Diesel emissions faults, DEF heater, and reduced power

   • 13 complaints (6%)
   • median 53,000 mi at 5.4 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2019–2025

   Owners describe the check engine light coming on with diesel exhaust fluid and reductant heater codes, and messages about low DEF even after refilling. Some report the truck dropping to reduced power or limp mode, and others report the DEF tank freezing. Dealers diagnosed reductant heater replacement, DPF replacement, and DPF pump and burner work; some owners say a repair was repeated after roughly 30,000 miles. Reported from under 27,000 miles up to about 124,000 miles, with several reports in cold weather.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for any emissions-related service history, including reductant heater, DEF pump, and DPF work, and whether warranty extensions or customer satisfaction programs were applied. Scan for stored codes before purchase if possible.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Truck was taken to green Ford peoria il. For recall on the crankcase ventilation recall. After receiving my truck back the next day truck threw another engine light on and truck was returned that day to find reductant heater code was showing. My truck of course is a 2016 f350 with the 6.7 found recalls for previous years but not this truck year, same exact issue. I left the dealership preparing to enter the highway, truck was still under full power as I merged into heavy traffic speeding up to merge the truck lost power. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11299472, filed 2020-01, 94,700 miles

   “2016 truck with less than 27k miles on it has a engine code p20ba reductant heater a control circuit. Seems extremely short life for an important emission control element.”

   NHTSA complaint #11395688, filed 2021-02, 26,903 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light and driver air bag recall

   • 18 complaints (9%)
   • median 45,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2025

   Owners describe the air bag warning light staying on, sometimes with steering wheel buttons and the horn not working. Many complaints were filed after receiving notice of the driver clock spring recall (22V337000) and report that parts were not available for the repair. Some report the air bag did not deploy in a crash, and others say the light or electrical faults persisted after a recall repair. Reported from about 1,000 miles to roughly 98,000 miles, often after a recall notice was received.

   Recall 22V337000

   What to check: Check whether recall 22V337000 has been completed by looking up the VIN, and confirm the air bag warning light goes out after the instrument cluster self-test. Test the steering wheel horn and buttons.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that the instrument panel occasionally went black intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the failure was related to the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V337000 (Air Bags) however, the part was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,484.”

   NHTSA complaint #11495182, filed 2022-11, 72,484 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V337000 (Air Bags), and the vehicle was repaired under recall. Upon retrieving the vehicle, the contact became aware that none of the buttons on the steering wheel were functioning, including the horn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the failure was unrelated to the recall but was unable to provide a diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11551860, filed 2023-10, 45,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Hard shifting and shuddering (transmission)

   • 8 complaints (4%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe hard shifts, slipping, and a shudder while the transmission changes gear, sometimes with a warning light. Owners report dealers unable to reproduce the problem, and in some cases a transmission specialist diagnosed internal failure and recommended replacement. Others describe the truck lurching or revving oddly when shifting into gear, and one report describes an unexpected downshift while driving. Mostly reported between about 25,000 and 50,000 miles, though some appear at higher mileage.

   What to check: Drive the truck through a range of speeds and note any harsh or delayed shifts and shuddering under light acceleration. Ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced and whether any dealer diagnosis or repair was recorded.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on us hwy 395 northbound at buckeye rd in minden nv it felt like the brakes were fading while stopping for red light. While stopped the truck was lurching forward and I had to forcefully step on brake aggressively to keep it from entering intersection. I put it in park while waiting for the green light and as I put in drive it revved up as it past reverse and slowed in neutral and revved again as it hit drive. It continued to lurch and jerk when putting it into gear as I drove it home from carson city nv. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11351021, filed 2020-08, 74,800 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was later taken for routine maintenance, and the mechanic discovered that the rear axle bolts had sheared off and were inside the wheel hub caps. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the rear driver’s side differential axle bolts had failed, and the axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11681935, filed 2025-08, 155,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   High-pressure fuel pump failure with metal debris

   • 8 complaints (4%)
   • median 82,800 mi at 7.1 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe the engine losing power or seizing, sometimes with a check engine light, and diagnosis of a failed high-pressure fuel pump with metal fragments in the fuel system. Owners report being told the entire fuel system and injectors needed replacement. Some complaints note the truck would not restart and had to be towed. Mostly reported between roughly 88,000 and 155,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the high-pressure fuel pump or fuel system has been replaced and for fuel filter service records. A pre-purchase inspection that includes checking for fuel-system codes is worthwhile on a higher-mileage diesel.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the cylinder was not operating as needed, and there was engine damage. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11666336, filed 2025-06, 82,800 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the Engine Power Reduced message was displayed and the vehicle downshifted while running very rough before the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and caused metal fragments to enter the fuel system. The contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel system needed to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11558911, filed 2023-12, 112,000 miles

Buying note. Take a highway test drive and go over rough pavement to check for front-end shake, and scan for stored codes so transmission and emissions faults show up before you buy. Confirm that outstanding recalls, especially the driver air bag clock spring recall, have been completed on the specific truck.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.