My engine light has come on as a result of an emissions problem. I have taken my truck to Ford service dept. 5 times, each time, they make an adjustment and claim there is nothing else to be done. How can I resolve this problem?
2016 Ford F-250 Sd
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most F-250 Sd years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Ford F-250 Sd are substantially higher than the model-year median of 89.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F-250 Sd years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
133 reports with mileage · 155 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
26 reportsDiagnostic Trouble Code P21B0 Reductant level sensor C circuit high I know several people that have had this same issue concerning the DEF tank assembly costing close to $1000. A recall was issued for earlier models but doesnt cover my truck that now has this same issue. It's this type of failure that makes owners of diesel v…
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Diagnostic Trouble Code P21B0 Reductant level sensor C circuit high I know several people that have had this same issue concerning the DEF tank assembly costing close to $1000. A recall was issued for earlier models but doesnt cover my truck that now has this same issue. It's this type of failure that makes owners of diesel vehicles contemplate deleting these pollution reducing systems. Please consider an expanded recall.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-250. The contact stated that an unknown recall repair was completed on the vehicle however, two hours after the repair, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the DEF heater needed to be replaced and the contact would be responsible for th…
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The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-250. The contact stated that an unknown recall repair was completed on the vehicle however, two hours after the repair, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the DEF heater needed to be replaced and the contact would be responsible for the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage 120,000.
WHILE OPERATING IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES ON THE HIGHWAY, THE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) TANK HEATER FAILED, ALLOWING THE DEF TO FREEZE INSIDE THE TANK. WITH THE DEF FROZEN, IT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE INJECTED INTO THE EXHAUST RESULTING IN HIGHER LEVELS OF NITROGEN OXIDES (NOX) TO BE RELEASED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE THROUGH THE VEHI…
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WHILE OPERATING IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES ON THE HIGHWAY, THE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) TANK HEATER FAILED, ALLOWING THE DEF TO FREEZE INSIDE THE TANK. WITH THE DEF FROZEN, IT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE INJECTED INTO THE EXHAUST RESULTING IN HIGHER LEVELS OF NITROGEN OXIDES (NOX) TO BE RELEASED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE THROUGH THE VEHICLES EXHAUST.
THE REDUCTANT HEATER AND SENDER ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR TO LIGHT. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM ADDRESSED FOR THE 2011-2015 MODEL YEAR PER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 18M01. THE FAULT WAS CONFIRMED BY RIVERTOWN FORD IN COLUMBUS GA VIA DIAGNOSTIC TOOL. CLEARLY THE ISSUE PER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM…
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THE REDUCTANT HEATER AND SENDER ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR TO LIGHT. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM ADDRESSED FOR THE 2011-2015 MODEL YEAR PER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 18M01. THE FAULT WAS CONFIRMED BY RIVERTOWN FORD IN COLUMBUS GA VIA DIAGNOSTIC TOOL. CLEARLY THE ISSUE PER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 18M01 REMAINS AND IS AFFECTING 2016 MODEL YEAR.
RADIATOR IS LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN 77,000 MILES THE RADIATOR HAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWICE WHILE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER SERVICED BOTH TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO RECTIFY OR UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM. THEY ONLY CLEARED THE FAULT CODES. THE CODE IDENTIFIED WAS FOR THE REDUCTANT HEATER PUMP - LOW VOLTAGE. THE SAME CODE JUST CAME BACK ON FOR THE 3RD TIME - THIS TIME IDENTIFIED BY A…
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SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWICE WHILE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER SERVICED BOTH TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO RECTIFY OR UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM. THEY ONLY CLEARED THE FAULT CODES. THE CODE IDENTIFIED WAS FOR THE REDUCTANT HEATER PUMP - LOW VOLTAGE. THE SAME CODE JUST CAME BACK ON FOR THE 3RD TIME - THIS TIME IDENTIFIED BY A DIESEL PERFORMANCE SHOP - WITH ADVICE TO REPLACE THE REDUCTANT PUMP. PREVIOUS MAKE AND MODEL SUPERDUTY TRUCKS HAVE HAD RECALLS FOR THE SAME THING. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS ISSUE, NOT SURE WHY FORD SERVICE SHOPS COULD NOT RECTIFY. TRUCK IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND I AM FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. UNACCEPTABLE SERVICE AND CARE! -COLD WEATHER EACH TIME -ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON - SAME CODE EACH TIME -REDUCED SPEED AND SLUGGISH PERFORMANCE -CODE CLEARED - TRUCK PERFORMS NORMAL -OBVIOUS THAT THE REDUCTANT HEAT PUMP IS NOT DOING WHAT IT IS DESIGNED TO DO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND TOWING A TRAILER WITH HIS ATV ON, A VEHICLE IN FRONT WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND TOWING A TRAILER WITH HIS ATV ON, A VEHICLE IN FRONT WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT THAT WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED 125 FEET DOWN THE ROAD, CROSSED OVER TO THE OPPOSITE LANES, CRASHED INTO SOME TREES WHERE IT EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION FROM HIS FACE HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL DURING THE IMPACT, MUSCLE NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES WHICH RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION FROM THE HOSPITAL. THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY GEICO TO THE CONTACT RESIDENTS WHERE AN ADJUSTER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NO RECALL WAS UNDER THE VIN. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK STARTED LEAKING DIESEL EVERYWHERE. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID THAT WHEN THE FILTER CLOGS THE TRUCK DOESN'T TURN OFF IT SPRAYS FUEL OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FILTER HOUSING. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK AND SITTING IN THE TRUCK FOR SEVERAL MINUTE…
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WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK STARTED LEAKING DIESEL EVERYWHERE. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID THAT WHEN THE FILTER CLOGS THE TRUCK DOESN'T TURN OFF IT SPRAYS FUEL OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FILTER HOUSING. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK AND SITTING IN THE TRUCK FOR SEVERAL MINUTES WITH IT RUNNING NOT REALIZING IT WAS LEAKING . IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME AND NOT RUNNING. ENGINE BLOCK HEATER WAS PLUGGED IN. SOME TIME WITHIN AN HOUR OF PLUGGING THE BLOCK HEATER IN THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS EXTENSIVE ENOUGH TO CALL THE FIRE DEPT. INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED TRUCK A TOTAL LOSS WITH NO CAUSE OF THE FIRE DETERMINED
Official recalls
325V572000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Sep 3, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
22V337000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Clockspring/spiral Cassette
May 13, 2022
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles. Dust may accumulate in the steering wheel clock spring, causing a disconnection in the electrical connection resulting in the driver's air bag not deploying as intended.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A disconnected driver's air bag can result in it not deploying, as intended, during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering wheel clock spring, free of charge. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the 3rd Quarter of 2023. An interim notification letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on July 6, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed July 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S35.
16V246000 · Tires:sidewall
Apr 26, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks manufactured April 5, 2016, to April 11, 2016. The tires installed during assembly of the affected vehicles may have sustained damage to the inner sidewall, possibly resulting in a loss of air or a tire rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rapid loss of air or a tire rupture while the vehicle is being driven may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires for damage and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 23, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S17.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE24014 · Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak
Opened May 9, 2024 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Diesel; Fuel System, Other:fuel Filter
The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Ford, and the filter manufacturer, Allevard Sogefi USA (Sogefi), and learned that the low-pressure fuel system is capable of a maximum operating pressure of 8.5 Bar, while the secondary fuel filter is only tested to seven (7) Bar during the manufacturing process. Additionally, changes starting in 2022 by both Ford and Sogefi align with a lack of similar complaints on MY 2022 and newer vehicles. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Diesel
The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Ford, and the filter manufacturer, Allevard Sogefi USA (Sogefi), and learned that the low-pressure fuel system is capable of a maximum operating pressure of 8.5 Bar, while the secondary fuel filter is only tested to seven (7) Bar during the manufacturing process. Additionally, changes starting in 2022 by both Ford and Sogefi align with a lack of similar complaints on MY 2022 and newer vehicles. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Fuel System, Other:fuel Filter
The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Ford, and the filter manufacturer, Allevard Sogefi USA (Sogefi), and learned that the low-pressure fuel system is capable of a maximum operating pressure of 8.5 Bar, while the secondary fuel filter is only tested to seven (7) Bar during the manufacturing process. Additionally, changes starting in 2022 by both Ford and Sogefi align with a lack of similar complaints on MY 2022 and newer vehicles. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
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