2016 Ford Mustang
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 4 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 18 |
| 1985 | 16 |
| 1986 | 30 |
| 1987 | 38 |
| 1988 | 108 |
| 1989 | 109 |
| 1990 | 85 |
| 1991 | 77 |
| 1992 | 69 |
| 1993 | 101 |
| 1994 | 356 |
| 1995 | 602 |
| 1996 | 246 |
| 1997 | 176 |
| 1998 | 236 |
| 1999 | 213 |
| 2000 | 311 |
| 2001 | 173 |
| 2002 | 118 |
| 2003 | 143 |
| 2004 | 116 |
| 2005 | 705 |
| 2006 | 422 |
| 2007 | 615 |
| 2008 | 347 |
| 2009 | 181 |
| 2010 | 260 |
| 2011 | 466 |
| 2012 | 469 |
| 2013 | 271 |
| 2014 | 356 |
| 2015 | 434 |
| 2016 | 367 |
| 2017 | 260 |
| 2018 | 184 |
| 2019 | 141 |
| 2020 | 113 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 70 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
20% of complaints: engine — 73 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH19% of complaints: electrical system — 69 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE8% of complaints: back over prevention — 31 distinct reports on file.
CRASH8% of complaints: power train — 29 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: structure — 21 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Mustang vehicles manufactured September 26, 2015, to October 1, 2015.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front and rear seat belt assemblies and the child seat tether anchors, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 15V707000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 16V779000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
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.
Campaign 22V082000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
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.
Campaign 25V572000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles. Water and road salt may corrode the front seat belt anchor pretensioner cables.
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.
Campaign 25V614000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2016 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (73 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (69 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for back over prevention issues (31 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 25V614000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V707000 (child seat, seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V779000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V082000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V572000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2016 Ford Mustang reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Ford Mustang is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Mustang?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Mustang have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.