2016 Ford Mustang Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#5 most-complained of 16 Mustang years
The 2016 Ford Mustang has a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems (23% of complaints, median 43,381 miles) and electrical issues (20%, median 31,500 miles) are the top concerns, along with 5 recalls.
- Complaints
- 377
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 13 / 6
- Injuries / deaths
- 11 / 2
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 18 city / 27.5 hwy
Top 2016 Ford Mustang problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine88 (23%)
- Electrical System75 (20%)
- Other70 (19%)
- Structure & Body54 (14%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras52 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain29 (8%)
- Brakes22 (6%)
- Fuel System21 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (5%)
- Airbags15 (4%)
What owners report
- Engine valve cover gasket failures allow oil to spray onto the exhaust manifold, causing smoke and fire under the hood.
- EcoBoost engines reportedly lose oil and suffer engine failure while driving at highway speeds.
- Electrical fires have started in the glove compartment area, sending flames through the air vents.
- Door panel electrical malfunctions have been linked to fires after low-speed collisions, with fire reigniting repeatedly.
- Airbags in some crashes failed to deploy at higher impact speeds, including rear-end and frontal collisions.
- Brake pedal was reportedly depressed with no stopping response, leading to a curb collision despite the emergency brake being engaged.
2016 Ford Mustang recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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 driverâs 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ford Mustang reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2016 Mustang has a Complaint Index of 73, ranking 5th worst among 16 model years covered, so it carries a Caution verdict relative to other Mustang years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Ford Mustang?
- Engine complaints are the largest category, making up 23% of all complaints (88 total) with a median failure mileage of 43,381 miles.
- Does the 2016 Ford Mustang have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Mustang, covering seat belts, rearview camera wiring, engine oil cooler tube hoses, and seat belt/tether anchor damage; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Mustang compare to other years?
- The 2016 model's Complaint Index of 73 is worse than 2017 (47), 2018 (33), and 2021-2023 (13, 20, 0), but better than 2011 (100) and 2012 (87), which rank as the worst Mustang years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Ford Mustang?
- EPA rates the 2016 Mustang at 21.5 mpg combined (18 city / 27.5 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $3,025.