FordF-5502016Overview/ford/f-550/2016/base/
550 platform

2016 Ford F-550

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 F.

Body TRUCKTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2016 Ford F-550 is a heavy-duty chassis cab truck built on the 550 platform, equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and delivering an EPA-estimated 18/24/21 mpg (city/highway/combined). Its reliability record is notably troubled, with 1,686 owner complaints—predominantly concerning the service brakes—and 13 recalls. Within the model’s complaint history from 2007 to 2020, where annual totals range from just 2 to 16, the 2016 year stands as an extreme outlier, marking it as a year that warrants careful scrutiny.

Model year2025202420232016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy18/24/21 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.2 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height68.5 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight3911 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 24 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the F of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.8–6.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.80 sec — 2016 F-150 Lariat FX4 SuperCrew 3.5L EcoBoost (5.6 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016F-150 Lariat FX4 SuperCrew 3.5L EcoBoost (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.80 sec14.60 sec365 hp4x4
2016F-150 Limited 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.80 sec14.50 sec365 hp4x4
2016F-150 Lariat SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.0L V86.30 sec14.90 sec385 hp4x4
2015F-150 Platinum FX4 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.60 sec14.40 sec365 hp4x4
2015F-150 XLT 2.7L EcoBoost SuperCab (6.6 ft. Bed) 2.7L Twin-Turbo V65.70 sec14.30 sec325 hp4x4
2015F-150 Platinum FX4 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.40 sec15.00 sec365 hp4x4
2015F-150 Lariat 2.7L EcoBoost SuperCab (6.6 ft. Bed) 2.7L Twin-Turbo V66.50 sec15.10 sec325 hp4x4
2017F-150 Raptor SuperCab (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.00 sec13.70 sec450 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine Front: 80W- in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5-8.5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilFront: 80W-
Engine CoolantUse orange coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity26.7 qt
Engine CoolantUse orange coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity10.8 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 7.4 ft/lbs; Lower: 18 ft/lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Transfer Case Fill PlugFront: 20.0
Transfer Case Drain PlugFront: 20.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.63-1.70 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.40-4.10 oz

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)Diesel 53-73 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque46
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 295 Torque; Rear: 295
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement1.472
Maximum Rotor Runout.002
Maximum Drum DiameterParking brake 9.574

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10532 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miAir Filter Restriction Gauge (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Diesel Emissions Fluid (fill)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 22,500 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miTemperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 90,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 100,000 miEngine Breather Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Ford F-550 occupies a notable position in this generation's lifecycle: it represents the quietest model year on record with zero recalls and zero federal investigations, following a sharp decline from the 2011–2012 peak (which saw 5 recalls and up to 2 investigations per year) down through the nearly clean 2014–2015 period. However, this apparent stability is somewhat qualified by the 9 complaints filed that year—modest in isolation but notably higher than the 0–2 complaints logged in the immediately preceding years—and by 2 technical service bulletins suggesting ongoing service attention. The 2016 model also precedes a sharp escalation that begins in 2017 (12 complaints, 5 recalls, 16 TSBs) and continues through 2020 (16 complaints, 2 recalls, 1 investigation). The target year's complaint breakdown highlights Service Brakes and Power Train as the dominant concern categories, with 48 crash-related and 22 fire-related complaints filed across the dataset—figures that, while not year-specific, indicate persistent safety-related consumer activity for this platform. **Concrete takeaway**: The 2016 model year is objectively the cleanest in terms of federal regulatory action, but it sits at the end of a stable interval that proved temporary; buyers should budget for brake and powertrain diagnostics regardless, and verify whether any open recalls from the later 2017–2020 campaigns affect this specific chassis.

13
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
274
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,686
Owner complaints
48 involved a crash · 22 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,686 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes257
Power Train225
Engine160
Structure137
Unknown Or Other132
Visibility/Wiper74
Electrical System57
Wheels47

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 274 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 534952025-03-14Unknown Or OtherSome 2016-2020 F-150 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)…
SSM 531742024-11-26Unknown Or OtherVarious vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or a 3.0L gas engine may require a crankshaft bolt…
TSB 24-21882024-07-24WheelsThis article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to…
TSB 24-21652024-05-27Unknown Or OtherThis article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some 2016 MKS…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 F have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the F get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 24 highway / 21 combined mpg.