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.
2016 Ford F-350 Sd
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most F-350 Sd years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Ford F-350 Sd are substantially higher than the model-year median of 73.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F-350 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
117 reports with mileage · 91 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.
- Suspension. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
208 reportsDRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS I EXPERIENCED THE DEATH WOBBLE AS THE TRUCK HIT A FREEWAY OVERPASS BUMP AND THEN BEGAN A VIOLENT SHAKE. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO HOLD THE SHAKING STEERING WHEEL AND BAKE TO A NEAR STOP. ACCELERATING TO FREEWAY SPEEDS IT SHOOK AS IF IT WANTED TO WOBBLE AGAIN BUT I REDUCED SPEEDS DOWN TO 55. I HAVE GOOD M…
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DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS I EXPERIENCED THE DEATH WOBBLE AS THE TRUCK HIT A FREEWAY OVERPASS BUMP AND THEN BEGAN A VIOLENT SHAKE. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO HOLD THE SHAKING STEERING WHEEL AND BAKE TO A NEAR STOP. ACCELERATING TO FREEWAY SPEEDS IT SHOOK AS IF IT WANTED TO WOBBLE AGAIN BUT I REDUCED SPEEDS DOWN TO 55. I HAVE GOOD MICHELIN TIRES AND NO LOAD. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED IN THE 2014 GAS MODEL I HAD AND NOW I AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS ONE. JANUARY 2021
WITHIN 8,000 MILES THE VEHICLE COULD NOT GO OVER 45 MPH AND HIT A BUMP WITHOUT THE FRONT TIRES AND ENTIRE TRUCK SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY THAT THE CARS AROUND ME WOULD SCATTER AND I'D HAVE TO PULL OVER TO STOP THE VIOLENT SHAKING. I'VE HAD A 2005 F350 BEFORE AND WAS ALREADY AWARE OF THE KNOWN PROBLEM, "DEATH WOBBLE". DEALERSHIP ADJUS…
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WITHIN 8,000 MILES THE VEHICLE COULD NOT GO OVER 45 MPH AND HIT A BUMP WITHOUT THE FRONT TIRES AND ENTIRE TRUCK SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY THAT THE CARS AROUND ME WOULD SCATTER AND I'D HAVE TO PULL OVER TO STOP THE VIOLENT SHAKING. I'VE HAD A 2005 F350 BEFORE AND WAS ALREADY AWARE OF THE KNOWN PROBLEM, "DEATH WOBBLE". DEALERSHIP ADJUSTED MY CAMBER SO THE OUTSIDE TIRES WORE OUT IN A FEW MONTHS. AFTER 16,000 MILES THE PROBLEM RETURNED AND THEY BLAMED THE BALDING TIRES WHICH THEY CREATED WITH THEIR CAMBER ADJUSTMENT AND TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY. AFTER I GOT HOME I ALSO REALIZED THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER INTENTIONALLY DID NOT PUT MY COMPLAINT ON THE WORK ORDER. HE KNEW I WAS AWARE THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH FORD TRUCKS AND I KNEW THE HISTORY AND OBVIOUSLY TRIED TO PROTECT HIMSELF AND THE DEALERSHIP. THEY FED ME THE SAME LINE THAT READ FROM HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE WHO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOLD ME THE TRUCK HAD TO BE ALIGNED EVERY 6 MONTHS. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR 20 YEARS AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
FAILURE OF THE DEF TANK HEATER PART NUMBER 5J225, PART OF THE EMISSION - EXHAUST SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE FUEL MODE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TINDOL FORD (1901 E. FRANKLIN BLVD, GASTONIA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE FUEL MODE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TINDOL FORD (1901 E. FRANKLIN BLVD, GASTONIA, NC 28054, (704) 867-8341) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL RAIL SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 209,700. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING UPON DRIVING OVER A FEW MINOR BUMPS IN ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED AND PULLED TO THE SHOULDER. UPON SLOWING, THE SHAKING SUBSIDED. NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF ANYTHING WRONG WITH TIRES OR SUSPENSION.
THE BACKUP CAMERA WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND/OR IS DISTORTED. I HAD THE VEHICLE IN UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NEVER DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. NOW I HEAR THERE IS A RECALL ON 2020 FORD TRUCKS. THE NEWS COVERAGE OF THE RECA, 2016.LL DESCRIBES EXACTLY WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE IS WAS N…
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THE BACKUP CAMERA WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND/OR IS DISTORTED. I HAD THE VEHICLE IN UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NEVER DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. NOW I HEAR THERE IS A RECALL ON 2020 FORD TRUCKS. THE NEWS COVERAGE OF THE RECA, 2016.LL DESCRIBES EXACTLY WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE IS WAS NEW. I AM WRITING IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET THE RECALL EXPANDED TO MY 2016 FORD F350. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW. I TOOK DELIVERY ON MAY
I WAS TRAVELING UP HORSESHOE BEND (IDAHO). I HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A BACKFIRE, BUT TOWARDS THE FRONT. AFTER I HEARD THE NOISE, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. MY PASSENGER AND I WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD, FLAMES JUST EXPLODED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IN JUST A MATTER OF MIN…
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I WAS TRAVELING UP HORSESHOE BEND (IDAHO). I HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A BACKFIRE, BUT TOWARDS THE FRONT. AFTER I HEARD THE NOISE, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. MY PASSENGER AND I WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD, FLAMES JUST EXPLODED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IN JUST A MATTER OF MINUTES, MY TRUCK AND 5TH WHEEL WERE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE PASSENGER AND I WERE TREATED IN FIRST RESPONDER VEHICLE FOR SMOKE INHALATION.
TERRIBLE SHAKING WHEN CRUISING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. I MAINLY NOTICE THE SHAKING AROUND 45 MPH, AND AGAIN AROUND 60 MPH. I AM ABLE TO CONTROL THE SHAKING BY EITHER ACCELERATING TO AROUND 70 MPH, OR BRAKING TO BELOW 40 MPH. THE SHAKING IS SO BAD SOMETIMES THAT I FEEL LIKE I WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IF I DON'T SPEED UP OR …
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TERRIBLE SHAKING WHEN CRUISING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. I MAINLY NOTICE THE SHAKING AROUND 45 MPH, AND AGAIN AROUND 60 MPH. I AM ABLE TO CONTROL THE SHAKING BY EITHER ACCELERATING TO AROUND 70 MPH, OR BRAKING TO BELOW 40 MPH. THE SHAKING IS SO BAD SOMETIMES THAT I FEEL LIKE I WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IF I DON'T SPEED UP OR SLOW DOWN TO MAKE THE SHAKING STOP. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT TYPE OF STREET I AM ON AS LONG AS I AM GOING FAST OR SLOW ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL AND VEHICLE TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY.
CURRENTLY FILED A CLAIM ABOUT "DEATH WOBBLE" ND I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND GOT IT "FIXED" AT A DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE 47K MILES ON MY TRUCK AND EVEN AFTER GETTING IT FIXED, I HIT A REPAIRED POTHOLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND GOT DEATH WOBBLE AGAIN AT 70 MPH. AT THAT SPEED, THERE WAS ABOUT 30-45 SECONDS WHERE YOU HAVE LITERALLY…
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CURRENTLY FILED A CLAIM ABOUT "DEATH WOBBLE" ND I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND GOT IT "FIXED" AT A DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE 47K MILES ON MY TRUCK AND EVEN AFTER GETTING IT FIXED, I HIT A REPAIRED POTHOLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND GOT DEATH WOBBLE AGAIN AT 70 MPH. AT THAT SPEED, THERE WAS ABOUT 30-45 SECONDS WHERE YOU HAVE LITERALLY NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. MY ONLY SAVING GRACE WAS THE PERSON BEHIND ME ON THIS HIGHWAY WHO PUT THEIR HAZARDS ON AND HELD TRAFFIC BACK AS IT WAS PEAK TRAVEL TIME.
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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