2016 Ford MUSTANG problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
375 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
35,300 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 204 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 75 of 375 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 46 | 12.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 26 | 6.9% |
| Engine operation | 26 | 6.9% |
| Braking behavior | 20 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 19 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 75 |
| Electrical System | 70 |
| Unknown Or Other | 69 |
| Back Over Prevention | 31 |
| Power Train | 29 |
| Structure:Body | 22 |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 19 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 19 |
Engine: 75; Electrical System: 70; Unknown Or Other: 69; Back Over Prevention: 31; Power Train: 29; Structure:Body: 22; Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera: 19; Fuel/Propulsion System: 19
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 73 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 53 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 43 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 26 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 73; 25,000 to 49,999: 53; 50,000 to 74,999: 43; 75,000 to 99,999: 26; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (73). 171 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 25 |
| 2017 | 26 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2019 | 38 |
| 2020 | 47 |
| 2021 | 29 |
| 2022 | 53 |
| 2023 | 42 |
| 2024 | 47 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 24 |
2016: 25; 2017: 26; 2018: 17; 2019: 38; 2020: 47; 2021: 29; 2022: 53; 2023: 42; 2024: 47; 2025: 27; 2026: 24
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 46 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 26 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 26 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10908341 · 2016-09-20 (September 20, 2016)
TAKATA RECALL I BEEN DEALING WITH A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND ITS BRAND NEW. EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR AND TURN IT ON AND DRIVE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES MY MUSIC TURNS OFF AND SHOWS THE HORSE SYMBOL DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN AND IT COMES BACK ON 10 MINUTES LATER. BUT THEN SOMETIMES IT DOES THAT AND THEN THE DISPLAY SCREEN TURNS BLACK AND I CAN'T TURN ON THE RADIO OR ANYTHING. AND THAT LAST FOR A FEW HOURS OR SO.. IT'S REALLY GETTING ANNOYING AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10908341 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11006120 · 2017-07-18 (July 18, 2017)
PURCHASE DATE 4-16. EIGHT DOCUMENTED VISITS TO DEALER/REPAIR. OTHER VISITS WHERE SERVICE ADVISER SAID TO RETURN WHEN SYSTEM FAILURES WERE HAPPENING, AS PROBLEM WOULD RESOLVE BEFORE I ARRIVED AT SERVICE. RE WATER INSIDE, DRIVER DOOR ISSUES, SYNC, CAMERA/STEREO ELECTRICAL ISSUES INCLUDE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK AT TIMES, TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO BE GRANTED ACCESS INTO CAR, THUS CAUSING SAFETY CONCERN. SYNC GOES OUT FAIRLY REGULARLY INCLUDING PHONE FUNCTION, BACK UP CAMERA, STEREO. CURRENTLY IN SHOP AGAIN SINCE 7-3-17 @ 9 AM.(16 CONSECUTIVE DAYS…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,572 miles reported. Look up ODI 11006120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10870551 · 2016-05-24 (May 24, 2016)
6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION; CLUNKS, GRINDS AND DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE IN 1ST-4TH GEARS, HAPPENS UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ADDRESS UNDERLYING CAUSE.
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10870551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10892823 · 2016-08-03 (August 3, 2016)
I JUST PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW 2016 MUSTANG LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE ALREADY BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH IT. I WAS STATIONARY WAITING AT THE STOP LIGHT AND SHIFTED INTO 1ST GEAR 3 TIMES AND MY CAR WOULDN'T BUDGE. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED IT TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE STREET. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY THEN SHUT OFF. A WEEK LATER I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY AND MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITH NO WARNING. I DO NOT REMEMBER THE ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON THIS TIME. I JUST TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALER AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10892823 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10870098 · 2016-05-20 (May 20, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,800.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10870098 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10876260 · 2016-06-23 (June 23, 2016)
WHILE DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON MY WAY TO WORK, I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES, BUT THE CAR STALLED AND STARTED FLASHING THE MESSAGE "SEE MANUAL". THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE AT A VERY REDUCED SPEED (MORE LIKE A COAST) INTO A GAS STATION PARKING LOT. THE CAR IS ONLY SIX (6) MONTHS OLD WITH A LITTLE OVER 8,000 MILES. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A NEW THROTTLE BODY WAS NEEDED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD AS I LEARNED THAT THE THROTTLE BODIES HAVE BEEN GOING OUT FOR YEARS IN MANY OF THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,060 miles reported. Look up ODI 10876260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10898131 · 2016-08-24 (August 24, 2016)
THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IN AN EFFORT TO RECTIFY SQUEALING BRAKES, I CHECKED EACH LUG NUT TO ENSURE THEY WERE TIGHTENED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATION. ALL TWENTY (4 WHEELS WITH 5 LUG NUTS EACH) WERE ONLY TIGHTENED TO APPROXIMATELY 90FT-LBS OF TORQUE. FORD SPECIFIES IN THE OWNERS MANUAL THAT LUG NUTS BE TORQUED TO 150FT-LBS. I USED TWO DIFFERENT STYLES OF TORQUE WRENCH TO CONDUCT MY TEST. ONE TYPE WAS USED TO LOOSEN TEN LUG NUTS AND ANOTHER WAS USED TO LOOSEN THE REMAINING TEN. MY INTENT WAS TO RULE OUT ANY GROS…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10898131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10927199 · 2016-11-21 (November 21, 2016)
PARKING BRAKE ENGAGEMENT/ADJUSTMENT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NO ENGAGE WHEN THE HANDLE IS PULLED UP DUE TO A SLACK IN THE CABLE LINE OF ABOUT 2 INCHES. THIS CAUSES AN ISSUE DRIVING AS THE SENSOR IS ENGAGED AND CAN CAUSE CRUISE CONTROL TO TURN OFF. ALSO, IT BECOMES A RISK PARKING THE CAR ON A HILL SINCE YOU HAVE TO PULLED THE HANDLE ALL THE WAY UP FOR PROPER TENSION ON THE BRAKE LINE CABLE. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THIS CABLE CAN COME LOOSE RESULTING IN LOST OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FUNCTION. ALSO, IT CAN CAUSE VIBRATION AND RATTLING SINCE THE C…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10927199 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10826040 · 2016-02-14 (February 14, 2016)
TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO SHAKING, POPPING, VIBRATION AND LOUD NOISE FROM STEERING ASSEMBLY, CAR WHEELS AND STEERING WHEEL WHEN INITIATING INITIAL MOVEMENT OF VEHICLE FROM A COLD CONDITION (STARTUP FROM A COLD/PARKED STATE). THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS IN THE FOUR MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10826040 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10850540 · 2016-03-19 (March 19, 2016)
STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND APPARENTLY NO REPLACEMENT BAGS AVAILABLE
Owner-reported narrative. 2,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10850540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11173056 · 2019-01-30 (January 30, 2019)
CAR STALLED RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. PRESSED THE GAS AND WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. WAS ABLE TO PULL IN A LOT TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. FULL ACCESSORY POWER WAS ACTIVE. MECHANIC SAID FUEL PUMP AND MODULE. CAR HAS 46000 MILES. FUEL PUMP SHOULD NOT FAIL IN A 3 YEAR OLD CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11173056 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11361599 · 2020-09-28 (September 28, 2020)
2016 FORD MUSTANG V6 CONVERTIBLE WITH 75,000 MILES. I WENT INTO THE GAS STATION FOR 3 MINUTES, CAME OUT AND CAR WOULD CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO AUTO MECHANIC. TURNS OUT THE FUEL PUMP WAS GARBAGE. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. RIDICULOUS. ALSO, AROUND 40,000 MILES, IT STARTED TO SOUND LIKE I WAS DRIVING A COVERED WAGON, AS EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD MADE THE CAR SOUND AS IF IT WAS GOING TO FALL APART. THE MECHANIC TELLS ME 3 OF THE 4 CONTROL ARMS (SUSPENSION) ARE COMPLETELY SHOT. AGAIN, RIDICULOUS. JUNK CAR. I'VE HAD DOZENS O…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11361599 at NHTSA ↗