MYRModel Year Report

2016 Ford Mustang

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2016 Ford Mustang
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
377
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

20% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1990: 87 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1995: 603 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2001: 173 complaints 2002: 118 complaints 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2007: 615 complaints 2008: 347 complaints 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 359 complaints 2015: 438 complaints 2016: 377 complaints 2016 377 2017: 266 complaints 2018: 194 complaints 2019: 149 complaints 2020: 120 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 82 complaints 2025: 18 complaints 2026: 8 complaints
1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1989 1990: 87 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1995: 603 complaints 1995 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2001: 173 complaints 2001 2002: 118 complaints 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2007: 615 complaints 2007 2008: 347 complaints 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2013 2014: 359 complaints 2015: 438 complaints 2016: 377 complaints 2016 377 2017: 266 complaints 2018: 194 complaints 2019: 149 complaints 2019 2020: 120 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 82 complaints 2025: 18 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints
1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1988 1989: 111 complaints 1990: 87 complaints 1990 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1994 1995: 603 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1996 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2000 2001: 173 complaints 2002: 118 complaints 2002 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2006 2007: 615 complaints 2008: 347 complaints 2008 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2012 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 359 complaints 2014 2015: 438 complaints 2016: 377 complaints 2016 377 2017: 266 complaints 2018: 194 complaints 2018 2019: 149 complaints 2020: 120 complaints 2020 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 82 complaints 2024 2025: 18 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026

2016: 377 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19804
19810
19821
19835
198418
198516
198630
198738
1988108
1989111
199087
199178
199270
1993102
1994368
1995603
1996246
1997176
1998236
1999213
2000311
2001173
2002118
2003145
2004116
2005705
2006423
2007615
2008347
2009181
2010261
2011466
2012469
2013271
2014359
2015438
2016377
2017266
2018194
2019149
2020120
202155
202250
202315
202482
202518
20268

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

20% · 75 reports
CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Nelson v. Ford Motor Company is a class action lawsuit targeting a defect in Ford's 2.3-liter EcoBoost engines. The suit highlights coolant leaks into engine cylinders, overheating, and catastrophic engine failures.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-05

Electrical system

19% · 73 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

A new Walmart-brand EverStart Plus 96R, 590 CCA automotive battery was purchased on August 4, 2026, and installed in a 2016 Ford Mustang Convertible.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-29

Back over prevention

14% · 54 reports

Most commonly citing camera and warnings.

CRASH

Power train

8% · 29 reports

Structure

8% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

Show complaint excerpts

The passenger side door is periodically opening to the first catch while driving on the highway without anyone touching the handle and it does not matter that the door is locked. It is very scary for any passenger when it happens.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-31

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2015-12-18Child seat, seat belts15V707000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2016Complaint volume 377 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2017-03-23Engine and engine cooling16V779000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  5. R
    2022-12-23Back over prevention22V082000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2026-01-13Back over prevention25V572000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    Date not on fileSeat belts25V614000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 75 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 73 reports on file for this year.
  • Back over prevention: 54 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 25V614000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 15V707000 · Child seat, seat belts
  • Recall 16V779000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 22V082000 · Back over prevention
  • Recall 25V572000 · Back over prevention
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.