RECALLS — MAKE · MODEL · YEAR
2016 Ford F-150 recalls
29 safety recall campaigns have been filed for the 2016 Ford F-150 with Transport Canada and the U.S. NHTSA. Here is what both agencies say.
- Canadian recalls
- 15
- U.S. recalls
- 14
- Total campaigns
- 29
Transport Canada recalls
15- Powertrain#2026189
144,475 units affected
Issue: On certain trucks, a software problem could cause the transmission to downshift suddenly to second gear. If this happens, there could be a loss of control. Note: This recall only affects trucks equipped with a 6-speed transmission. Safety Risk: A loss of control could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your truck to a dealership to update the powertrain control module software.
- Visual System#2024779
218,614 units affected
Issue: On certain trucks, the windshield wiper linkage could corrode and seize. If this happens, the windshield wipers may not work. Safety Risk: Windshield wipers that don't work could reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your truck to a dealership to replace the windshield wiper linkage.
- Brakes#2022115
13,097 units affected
Issue: On certain trucks equipped with a 3.5 L Ecoboost engine, brake fluid could leak from the brake master cylinder into the brake booster. This can cause reduced front brake performance, and the driver may experience increased brake pedal travel and increased pedal effort. Full braking function remains in the rear wheel circuit. Note: Depending on the amount of brake fluid loss, the driver may hear a warning chime and see a red brake warning indicator in the instrument cluster. This is an expansion of Ford recall 20S31 (Transport Canada Recall No. 2020-252). Safety Risk: Reduced front brake performance can cause extended stopping distances and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a dealer to replace the brake master cylinder. The dealer will also replace the brake booster if the brake master cylinder is leaking.
- Brakes#2020252
42,309 units affected
Issue: On certain trucks, brake fluid could leak from the brake master cylinder front wheel circuit into the brake booster. If this happens, the driver may experience increased brake pedal travel and increased pedal effort. This can cause reduced front brake performance. Full braking function remains in the rear wheel circuit. Note: Depending on the amount of brake fluid loss, the driver may hear a warning chime and see a red brake warning indicator in the instrument cluster. Safety Risk: Reduced front brake performance can cause extended stopping distances and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to replace the brake master cylinder.
- Electrical#2020069
19,679 units affected
Issue: On certain trucks with a 3.5-L engine, there could be a problem with the engine block heater cable. The wrong cable may have been installed when your vehicle was repaired under a previous recall. The cable that was installed may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high engine temperatures. When plugged in, this could cause a short circuit to occur, resulting in overheated or melted wiring. It could also cause the block heater not to work, and/or it could cause a household circuit breaker to trip. For details of the previous recall, please see Transport Canada recall no. 2019-174 (Ford no. 19S11/19G01). Safety Risk: Overheated or melted wiring could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Do not use your block heater until the recall inspection and repairs are completed. Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the block heater and cable. Depending on the results of the inspection, the heater element and/or block heater cable will be replaced, as necessary. If the replacement parts are not available, the dealer will disable the engine block heater. Ford will send you another notice when the replacement parts are available, and will ask you to take your vehicle to a dealer to have them installed.
- Electrical#2020023
89,472 units affected
Issue: On certain trucks, the electric tailgate latch could malfunction. This may cause the tailgate to unlatch on its own. If the tailgate opens while driving, cargo that is not secured could fall out of the truck bed and onto the road. Safety Risk: Cargo that falls from the truck bed could create a road hazard for others. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to modify the tailgate/frame wiring harnesses and will install a new tailgate handle release switch.
- Other#2019420
5,327 units affected
Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempered. If the window breaks, the glass may separate into large pieces instead of very small ones. Note: This is a voluntary recall that is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Safety Risk: Glass that breaks in to large pieces could create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company will notify consumers by mail and instruct them to inspect the designation code marked on the rear window glass. Products affected by this recall have the designation “DOT 287” along with the lettering “VMR” (Replacement Market) and a date code that is before July 2019. This information is printed on the bottom corner of the glass. Consumers should contact Vitro's customer service at 1-412-995-6457 or argbacklites@vitro.com to arrange for replacement of the glass.
- Electrical#2019174
230,182 units affected
Issue: The connectors on the engine block heater cable may have been damaged when your truck was serviced for recall campaign 2018-718 (Ford #18S45). This could cause a short-circuit, which may result in overheated or melted wiring. Safety Risk: Overheated or melted wiring could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Stop use of your engine block heater immediately. Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to disable the engine block heater. Ford will send you another notice when replacement parts are available, and will ask you to take your vehicle to a dealer to install them. Do not use your engine block heater until the replacement parts are installed.
- Electrical#2018718
446,041 units affected
Issue: Water and contaminants may damage and corrode the block heater cable connectors. This could cause a short-circuit, which may result in overheated or melted wiring. Safety Risk: Overheated or melted wiring could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Stop use of your engine block heater immediately. Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to disable the engine block heater. Ford will send you another notice when replacement parts are available, and will ask you to take your vehicle to a dealer to install them. Do not use your engine block heater until the replacement parts are installed.
- Seats And Restraints#2018470
339,884 units affected
On certain vehicles, the activation of the front seat belt pretensioners in a crash may result in momentary ignition of pretensioner exhaust gases. This could ignite materials in the B-pillar area, leading to a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the B-pillar area, modify the floor covering and sound insulation, and apply heat-resistant tape.
- Seats And Restraints#2017593
22,620 units affected
On certain vehicles, the front power seat adjuster assembly joint may become loose over time. A loose seat adjuster assembly may increase seat cushion deflection and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, which could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect for proper torque of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt. If the bolt passes inspection, dealers will remove and clean the bolt, apply new threadlock and reinstall the bolt to the specified torque. If the bolt fails the torque inspection, threadlock will be added to the bolt and will be reinstalled as an interim repair until the final repair is available. The final repair will include replacement of the lift link, including new bushings and fasteners.
- Structure#2017502
222,408 units affected
On certain vehicles, door latch shielding may not be sufficient. As a result, water could enter into the side door latch and freeze, causing the latch mechanism to bind after opening. In addition, latch actuation cables may have been bent or kinked during installation, and could result in latch binding. A frozen door latch, or bent or kinked actuation cable may result in a door that will not open or will not close. If a latch does not fully engage the door striker, there is a potential for a door to open while the vehicle is in motion, which could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will install water shields over the door latches and the door latch actuation cables will be inspected and repaired if needed.
- Seats And Restraints#2017413
14,682 units affected
Certain vehicles equipped with rear inflatable seat belts may fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 210 – Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages. The left rear inflatable seat belt buckle may have been assembled with a rivet that was improperly staked. As a result, the left rear seat belt assembly could separate from its mounting bracket during a crash, which could increase the risk of injury and would fail to meet the anchorage strength requirements of the standard. Correction: Dealers will inspect the left rear seat belt buckle rivet, and replace the seat belt buckle assembly if necessary.
- Seats And Restraints#2016329
1,198 units affected
Certain vehicles equipped with a manual driver's seat recliner may fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 202 - Head Restraints and CMVSS 207 - Anchorage of Seats. There may be an inadequate weld between the driver's seat back and the manually operated seat back recliner mechanism, which may fail to meet the requirements of the standards. As a result, the driver's seat back may appear to be loose, twisted or lean to one side, and/or squeak/rattle. If this condition were present, in the event of a vehicle crash, the seat may not adequately restrain an occupant and would increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame.
- Accessories#2016089
286 units affected
On certain vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software developed for optional Multi-Contour seats may not properly classify an adult occupant sitting in the front passenger seat when the seat massage feature is activated. If an adult occupant in the front passenger seat is incorrectly classified as a child, in the event of a crash, the frontal airbag may not deploy which could increase the risk of injury. Correction : Dealers will update the occupant classification system module with a new software.
Canadian data updated August 24, 2026
U.S. NHTSA recalls
14- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION#26V237000
Ford 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.
Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST#22V150000
Ford 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.
Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.
- SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT#21E027000
Tenneco 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.
Risk: An incorrectly installed ball joint may cause the ball joint stud to break, which can compromise front wheel control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: DRiV will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary replace the ball joint, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Tenneco Automotive customer service at 1-877-489-6659.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER#20V332000
Ford 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.
Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel and feel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, possibly requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners an interim notification on June 30, 2020. The recall began on October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S31.
- ENGINE#20V098000
Ford 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.
Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the block heater's location and its cable, replacing components as necessary, free of charge. If the replacement parts are not available, dealers will disable the existing block heater cable from being used until parts become available. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S08.
- ENGINE#19V278000
Ford 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.
Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S11.
- ENGINE#18V894000
Ford 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.
Risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.
- SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER#18V568000
Ford 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.
Risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S27.
- SEATS#17V767000
Ford 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, a seat occupant that is not properly restrained has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tightness of the power seat track upper pivot link bolt, either applying threadlocker or replacing the lift link and hardware, free of charge. Interim letters are expected to go out January 15, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S40.
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH#17V652000
Ford 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.
Risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S33.
- SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER#17V526000
Ford 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."
Risk: If the left rear inflatable seat belt buckle separates from it's mounting bracket, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assembly, replacing the attaching rivet as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed October 18, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C12.
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH#17V331000
Ford 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."
Risk: If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price. The recall began July 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 17C09.
- SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER#16V475000
Ford 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."
Risk: The seat back may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall begin on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 16C11.
- AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION#16V110000
Ford 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.
Risk: If an adult is incorrectly classified as a child, the passenger frontal air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Classification System Module (OCSM) with new software, free of charge. The recall began on March 11, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S05.
Does this recall apply to my vehicle?
Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.
What to do
Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, or to book the work, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:
- NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada
Check a 2016 Ford F-150 VIN
A VIN decode confirms your vehicle's exact model year, trim and assembly plant, then runs this same recall check against it.