1FTEW1EP3GFB691622016 FORD F-150
2016 FORD F-150 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 14 open recalls on record — these are safety-critical and should be addressed immediately. 6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
Executive Summary
2016 FORD F-150
2016 FORD F-150 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 14 open recalls on record — these are safety-critical and should be addressed immediately. 6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
- 14 open recalls including safety-critical systems (Airbag system recall; Brake system recall)
- Complaint rate is accelerating — issues appear to be getting worse, not better
- Engine/Powertrain is flagged in both recalls and owner complaints — double-confirmed failure pattern
- High lemon law risk indicators — multiple safety-critical recall and complaint patterns present
- Component failure cascade detected — a known defect pattern that typically leads to more severe downstream damage
6 owner complaints filed — top areas: Engine/Powertrain (100%).
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- FORD
- Model
- F-150
- Year
- 2016
- Body Style
- Pickup
- Vehicle Type
- TRUCK
- Drive Type
- 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 6-cyl 2.7L 325 hp
- Manufacturer
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Assembly
- DEARBORN, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES (USA)
- GVWR
- Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Assembly Plant Quality
Ford Dearborn Truck Plant (River Rouge)
F-150 Lightning and Bronco assembly. Improved quality after recent retooling.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
- ▸Airbag system recall
- ▸Brake system recall
- ▸Engine recall
- ▸1 recall(s) involve fire or ignition risk
- ⚠4 recalls on same component: Engine/Powertrain
- ⚠3 recalls on same component: Safety Systems
- ⚠4 recalls on same component: Exterior/Other
- ⚠2 recalls on same component: Body/Structure
- ⚠2 recalls on same component: Brakes
Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.
The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.
Driver Assistance Features
ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
Deferred Failure Risk
Components and defects approaching or past their known service milestones
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
On 4WD/AWD vehicles, neglected differential or transfer case fluid causes metal-on-metal wear. Replacement costs $1,500–$4,000.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
14 RECALLSNHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 14 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
1 of 14 recalls has a low industry completion rate — statistically likely unrepaired.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
FORD completes recalls at a good rate (89%), averaging about 18 months to remedy. Most affected vehicles are fixed.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~18 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
ENGINE
SummaryFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.Read full details...
~29% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
ENGINE
SummaryFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.Read full details...
~29% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
SummaryFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.Read full details...
~37% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
SummaryFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the doors opening while driving although they appear to be closed.Read full details...
~36% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
SummaryFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250 and F-350 trucks equipped with a crew cab. The left rear inflatable seat belt buckle assembly may be inadequately attached to its mounting bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."Read full details...
~42% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
SummaryFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles originally produced with black or body colored exterior door handles that may have been subsequently equipped with a chrome exterior door handle cover accessory kit purchased from a Ford dealer. These accessory door handle covers may cause the doors to unlatch in a side impact collision. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."Read full details...
~36% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
SummaryFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat. The seat back frame may have insufficient welds which may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."Read full details...
~42% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
SEATS
SummaryFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 F-150 and Explorer vehicles. Loose power seat adjuster pivot bolts may cause the front seat cushions to detach and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash.Read full details...
~42% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
SummaryFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 F-150 trucks manufactured April 27, 2015, to November 22, 2015, and equipped with Multi-Contour Seats (MCS). The front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) that calibrates the air bag deployment level may incorrectly classify an adult as a child when the seat massage feature is activated.Read full details...
~11% chance this vehicle is still unrepaired
Low RiskSource: NHTSA published Takata completion data
ENGINE
SummaryFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2016 F-150 pick-up trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines and block immersion heaters that were potentially relocated from their originally installed location. The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable.Read full details...
~29% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
SummaryFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2017 F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.Read full details...
~27% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
SummaryTenneco Automotive (DRiV) is recalling certain MOOG K500359 ball joints, for aftermarket installation on 2015-2018 Ford F-150 trucks. The ball joint may have a misaligned dust boot and may be missing alignment hole and installation warning tag, which may lead to improper alignment of the ball joint.Read full details...
~31% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
SummaryFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.Read full details...
~24% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SummaryFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.Read full details...
~78% of these vehicles are statistically unrepaired
High RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
Recall Intelligence
Detailed analysis of recall history and severity
⚠ One or more recalls have been open for over 5 years — may never have been repaired on this vehicle.
Recall Remedy Effectiveness — Complaints Continue After Fix
RECALL DIDN'T FIX ITOwner complaints filed AFTER recall remedies were issued for the same components
100% of complaints about "SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST" were filed AFTER recall campaign 22V150000 (2022-11-03) — the recall remedy may not have fully resolved the issue.
Continuing complaints after a recall may indicate an inadequate fix, a new failure mode, or that many vehicles never had the recall performed. Verify recall completion status directly with NHTSA.
Complaint Intelligence
6 complaints analyzed across 1 system categories
⚠ Complaint rate is accelerating — issue may be getting worse
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME6 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
I was driving on the highway speed limit 65, and all of the sudden it down shifted to first gear, jerking the truck almost to a complete stop, very scary and unsafe. I pulled over to recoup myself . It is now happening more frequently, wrench light on the dash . Not sure what I need to do , my truck is my life support for me and my family! Help me please! Thank you,
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 - 45 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted with the wrench warning light illuminated, with the number 6 displayed. The vehicle was coasted into a nearby parking lot, and the contact waited for her husband, who was able to get the vehicle to the dealer. However, the vehicle failed to exceed 35 MPH. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a powertrain control module failure. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). The dealer informed the contact that the recall repair would be completed. After retrieving the vehicle, the warning light illuminated approximately 20 minutes later. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who diagnosed that the lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the issue and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
I have a problem with my truck with the Molded Lead Frame. It is shifting erratically and not shifting below 3rd gear. I has an open recall for it, 26N04, but Ford won't perform the service because they are not getting the correct code from the computer system. So I am now forced to drive this truck in this unsafe condition until I get the correct codes.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and while the vehicle was idling, the transmission suddenly disengaged. The accelerator pedal was released for a while, then the contact attempted to engage the transmission to accelerate. The vehicle failed to accelerate intermittently and then suddenly accelerated. The contact became aware that the message “Service Vehicle”, and the wrench symbol were temporarily illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train), and the powertrain control module software was updated. The contact stated that, immediately after the software was updated, the failure persisted and became more persistent. The contact stated that the warning lights became illuminated again. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, and a week later the dealer diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Vehicle suddenly seemed to shift while driving causing a loud sound, jerk and caused a loss of control suddenly.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, after the recall repair, the vehicle made abnormal grinding sounds and went into LIMP Mode before shifting to second gear while driving. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 186,000.
Component Failure Cascade Risk
Known patterns where one defect leads to more severe downstream failures
▸ Complete transmission failure — repair costs $3,000–$8,000+; vehicle may become undriveable
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $50,964 (~$849/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Negotiation Ammunition
Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2016 FORD F-150 — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
30% estimated recall probability — some indicators present but not alarming.
- ▸Accelerating complaint rate — increasing pressure on NHTSA to act
- ▸Multiple prior recalls — pattern of safety issues on this model
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for 1FTEW1EP3GFB69162. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Market & Background Signals
Theft risk, fleet history, dealer patterns, and emissions compliance
FORD F-150 has a moderately elevated theft risk (2.2× average).
Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History
Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations
FORD has been fined $17M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2015: Failure to timely file Early Warning Reports on defect data.
Safer Alternatives to Consider
Based on the risk level of this 2016 FORD F-150, these Similar Vehicle Class alternatives have significantly better safety records
Toyota models consistently rank in the bottom quartile for NHTSA complaint density across all segments
Honda models have below-average recall rates and no known systemic powertrain defects in recent years
Mazda has the industry's lowest complaint-per-vehicle rate in multiple consecutive NHTSA reporting years
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | 1FTEW1EP3GFB69162 |
| Model Year | 2016 |
| Make | FORD |
| Model | F-150 |
| Vehicle Type | TRUCK |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Pickup |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 6 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.7 |
| Horsepower | 325 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Assembly City | DEARBORN |
| Assembly Country | UNITED STATES (USA) |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | 1FT |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 3 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | G |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | F |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | B69162 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 14 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 6 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 8/1/2026, 3:44:58 AM.