EngineHigh
3.5L EcoBoost cam phaser rattle / timing components on cold start.
- Typically appears
- 60,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Cold-start the truck and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds.
2016 Ford F-150 problems
A 2016 Ford F-150 is now 10 years old, so an average example has covered around 135,000 miles. An early car in the generation · most of the launch teething issues were still being worked through, so recall completion and dealer rectification history matter. Check the state safety inspection and service history alongside the documented faults below, which are sorted by whether a 2016 car has usually reached the mileage where they appear.
Compiled & reviewed by the VehicleFaults Research Team
Quick answer
The 2016 Ford F-150 is 10 years old, so an average example has covered roughly 135,000 miles. At that mileage 2 of the documented faults are already due, so check those first.
Faults a 2016 example has usually reached
Documented onset mileage is at or below the ~135k miles an average 2016 car has covered.
EngineHigh
3.5L EcoBoost internal water pump — a failure can leak coolant into the engine.
- Typically appears
- 80,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Check coolant level and history; ask about any pump replacement.
Faults that appear at any mileage
Age, electronics and build-related issues that are not mileage-driven.
TransmissionMedium
10-speed automatic harsh or erratic shifts.
- Typically appears
- Any
- What to inspect
- Test-drive through varied speeds and feel for harsh 1-2 or clunky downshifts.
BodyLow
Aluminum panel corrosion / dissimilar-metal reactions at fasteners.
- Typically appears
- Age-related
- What to inspect
- Inspect panel edges, tailgate and around body seams for bubbling paint.
Inspecting a 2016 Ford F-150?
Generate a tickable pre-purchase checklist for this exact year, mileage and variant · add photos and notes as you inspect.
Check this exact carFord F-150 · frequently asked questions
Which F-150 engine is most reliable?
The 5.0L V8 and 3.5L EcoBoost are both strong; the EcoBoost needs cam-phaser and water-pump attention with age.
Is the 10-speed transmission a problem?
Many are fine, but some shift harshly; a test-drive and fluid check are essential.
Does the aluminum body rust?
The aluminum won't rust like steel, but watch for corrosion where dissimilar metals meet.