YearToAvoid

2017 Ford Mustang Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 36 engine complaints for the 2017 Ford Mustang, 14% of its 265 total complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 31,000 miles. A related recall (16V779000) covers an engine oil cooler hose that can separate and leak oil.

Engine complaints
36
14% of 265
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
31,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report an engine oil cooler tube hose separating and leaking oil, sometimes producing smoke or smell after the vehicle is parked, matching the subject of recall 16V779000.
  • Some owners describe unexpected coolant loss in cars with very low mileage despite no track use or hard driving.
  • Several complaints describe stalling at stops or during acceleration, in some cases tied to a check-engine light and a failed purge valve.
  • Owners report tapping noises from the engine linked to rod bearing play, occurring at low mileage and sometimes requiring engine replacement.
  • A few complaints describe surging, hesitation, or loss of power at various speeds, in one case linked to a failed battery and engine belts.
  • One owner reported a stall followed by an engine fire with no prior warning signs.

When 2017 Ford Mustang engine complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 30, 2016, latest May 26, 2026.

2017 Ford Mustang engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Oct 2016Jun 2018Aug 2019Sep 2022Nov 2023May 2024Jun 2025
36 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2016 to May 2026; peak Oct 2023 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2017 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. 200592 (13%)
  2. 200658 (14%)
  3. 200758 (9%)
  4. 200827 (8%)
  5. 200924 (13%)
  6. 201022 (8%)
  7. 201181 (17%)
  8. 201260 (13%)
  9. 201336 (13%)
  10. 201424 (7%)
  11. 201564 (15%)
  12. 201688 (23%)
  13. 201736 (14%)
  14. 201862 (32%)
  15. 201962 (42%)
  16. 202031 (26%)
  17. 202111 (20%)
  18. 20228 (16%)
  19. 20233 (20%)
  20. 202411 (14%)
  21. 20255 (29%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2017 Ford Mustang have?
NHTSA lists 36 engine complaints for the 2017 Mustang, which is 14% of the 265 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2017 Ford Mustang engine?
Yes. Recall 16V779000 covers 2015-2017 Mustangs where an oil cooler tube hose can separate and cause an oil leak. Ford replaced the tube assembly free of charge.
At what mileage do 2017 Mustang engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2017 Mustang is 31,000 miles, though some owners reported issues at far lower mileage.
Did the 2017 Mustang engine problems cause any crashes or fires?
NHTSA data shows 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries among the engine-related complaints for the 2017 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.