YearToAvoid

2016 Ford Mustang Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 88 engine complaints for the 2016 Ford Mustang, 23% of its 377 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 43,381. A related recall (16V779000) covers an engine oil cooler hose that can separate and leak oil.

Engine complaints
88
23% of 377
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
5
Median mileage
43,381 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Sudden loss of power or stalling while driving, sometimes dropping from highway speed to a crawl of a few mph.
  • Dashboard wrench warning light appears along with a loud noise, shaking, or a burning oil smell before the engine loses power.
  • Valve cover gasket leaks let oil spray onto the exhaust manifold, producing smoke and, in one case, a fire in the engine bay.
  • EcoBoost engines reportedly misfire before a more serious failure that owners describe as the engine 'blowing up' and losing all its oil.
  • Vehicles stall or fail to accelerate at low speed shortly after being shifted into gear, sometimes displaying a 'see manual' message.

When 2016 Ford Mustang engine complaints were filed

First complaint May 20, 2016, latest Sep 3, 2026.

2016 Ford Mustang engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter62016 Q22017 Q42019 Q12020 Q32022 Q32024 Q12025 Q3
88 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q1 (6).

Engine recalls for the 2016 Ford Mustang

  1. NHTSA 16V779000Oct 26, 2016Engine6,582 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hoses/lines/piping/fittings

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles manufactured February 24, 2015, to August 30, 2016. A hose may separate from the engine oil cooler tube assembly causing an oil leak.

    Risk: A sudden loss of engine oil may cause engine failure, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, an oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil cooler tube assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 23, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S40.

Engine complaints by Mustang model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201021 (8%)
  2. 201181 (17%)
  3. 201260 (13%)
  4. 201336 (13%)
  5. 201424 (7%)
  6. 201564 (15%)
  7. 201688 (23%)
  8. 201736 (14%)
  9. 201862 (32%)
  10. 201962 (42%)
  11. 202031 (26%)
  12. 202111 (20%)
  13. 20228 (16%)
  14. 20233 (20%)
  15. 202411 (14%)
  16. 20255 (29%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2016 Ford Mustang have?
NHTSA lists 88 engine complaints for the 2016 Mustang, which is 23% of the 377 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an engine recall for the 2016 Ford Mustang?
Yes. Recall 16V779000, reported October 26, 2016, covers a hose that can separate from the engine oil cooler tube assembly and cause an oil leak. Ford replaces the assembly free of charge.
At what mileage do engine problems usually show up on the 2016 Mustang?
The median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 43,381 miles.
Have engine problems on the 2016 Mustang led to fires or crashes?
NHTSA records show 4 fires, 2 crashes, and 5 injuries linked to complaints in this data set.

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.