YearToAvoid

2016 Ford Mustang Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2016 Ford Mustang has 377 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 70, and ranks 7th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems lead at 23% of complaints, with 5 recalls on file including an engine oil cooler leak and a rearview camera issue.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
70/100
#7 of 21 Mustang years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
377
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
5
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
13
reported in complaints
Fires
6
Injuries
11
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
18 city / 27.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
11 / 2

Top 2016 Ford Mustang problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine88 (23%)
  2. Electrical System75 (20%)
  3. Other70 (19%)
  4. Structure & Body54 (14%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras52 (14%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain29 (8%)
  7. Brakes22 (6%)
  8. Fuel System21 (6%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (5%)
  10. Airbags15 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some engines lost oil through a failed valve cover gasket, leading to smoke and fire near the exhaust manifold.
  • Owners of EcoBoost models described sudden engine failure with total oil loss while driving at highway speed.
  • Electrical fires were reported starting from the glove compartment and from door panel wiring after a collision.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy or deployed late in multiple crashes, including deer-avoidance and side-impact incidents.
  • Some drivers said the brake pedal did not stop the vehicle even with the parking brake engaged, resulting in a curb collision.
  • One owner reported a delayed rearview camera recall repair due to parts unavailability.
2016 Ford Mustang complaints: complaints filed per quarter222016 Q12017 Q32019 Q12020 Q32022 Q12023 Q32025 Q12026 Q3
377 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q2 (22).

2016 Ford Mustang recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V614000Sep 12, 2025Seat Belts332,778 vehicles

    Seat belts:pretensioner

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles. Water and road salt may corrode the front seat belt anchor pretensioner cables.

    Risk: A corroded cable can break, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining an occupant, and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace both front seat belt anchor pretensioner assemblies, as necessary. In addition, dealers will remove sections of the carpet and underlayment that contact the cables. Dealers will also inspect the A-pillar sealing patches, and as necessary, install A-pillar body plugs, and/or inspect and replace the front outboard seat bolts. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed October 20, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S92. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov September 17, 2025.

  2. NHTSA 25V572000Sep 3, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,456,417 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 22V082000Feb 16, 2022Collision Avoidance & Cameras330,784 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera wiring may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image.

    Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the decklid wiring harness and/or replace the rearview camera, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2022 and June 26, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the 4th Quarter of 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S06.

See all 5 recalls for the 2016 Ford Mustang →

2016 Ford Mustang fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
27.5 MPG
Combined
21.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,025
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other Mustang years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid753593 !21
2015Avoid904361121.5
2016Caution70377521.5
2017Good45265621
2018Good25193323

All Ford Mustang years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Ford Mustang reliable?
NHTSA data shows 377 complaints for the 2016 Mustang, a Complaint Index of 70, and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 21 model years based on owner complaints and recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Mustang?
Engine issues account for 23% of complaints, followed by electrical system problems at 20% and structure/body issues at 14%, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2016 Ford Mustang have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Mustang, covering seat belt anchors, rearview cameras (two separate campaigns), an engine oil cooler hose, and seat belt/tether anchor damage.
How does the 2016 Mustang compare to other years?
The 2016 model's Complaint Index of 70 is worse than the 2017 through 2025 model years, which range from a Complaint Index of 0 to 45, but better than the 2005, 2007, and 2011 model years, which rank as Avoid.
What mileage do 2016 Mustang engine problems typically show up at?
NHTSA complaint data lists a median mileage of 43,381 miles for engine-related complaints in the 2016 Mustang.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.