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U.S. public vehicle records

2016 Ford MUSTANG: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 75 of 375 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues4612.3%
Transmission and shifting266.9%
Engine operation266.9%
Braking behavior205.3%
Steering behavior195.1%
Fuel system concerns82.1%

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.

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
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine75
Electrical System70
Unknown Or Other69
Back Over Prevention31
Power Train29
Structure:Body22
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera19
Fuel/Propulsion System19

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.

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
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00073
25,000 to 49,99953
50,000 to 74,99943
75,000 to 99,99926
100,000 to 149,9998
150,000 and above1

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.

2016
25
2017
26
2018
17
2019
38
2020
47
2021
29
2022
53
2023
42
2024
47
2025
27
2026
24
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
201625
201726
201817
201938
202047
202129
202253
202342
202447
202527
202624

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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10822563 · 2016-01-27 (January 27, 2016)

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT WHERE A DEER JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I SWERVED AND MY CAR WENT THROUGH A BRICK MAILBOX. MY AIRBAGS TOOK A WHILE TO COME OUT, BUT WHEN THEY DID I WAS BURNED AND BLISTERED.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10822563 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 10862337 · 2016-04-30 (April 30, 2016)

MY NEW 2016 MUSTANG V6 HAS SEVERE VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING AT MOST SPEEDS. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT. DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY DRIVE SHAFT AND REPLACED IT TWICE AND INDEXED THE SECOND ONE AFTER INSTALLATION. THE CAR STILL VIBRATES. THE TIRES WERE ROAD FORCED BALANCED AND ROTATED AND THE VIBRATION IS STILL HAPPENING. THIS LEADS ME AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS TO CONCLUDE THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER MALFUNCTIONING PARTS OR A POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW IN THE DRIVE LINE WHICH I BELIEVE FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNOWS ABOUT. THE VIBRATION IS FELT THROUGH THE CA…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10862337 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 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 10873634 · 2016-06-10 (June 10, 2016)

LOST POWER IN INSANELY BUSY IRVING/DALLAS INTERSECTION NEAR MAJOR HIGHWAY - COULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE ACCIDENT! 5400 PLUS MILES. FORD 2016 MUSTANG, V6 FROM A STANDING POSITION, SECOND CAR IN LINE AT RED LIGHT. LIGHT CHANGES, TRAFFIC STARTS TO MOVE, I STEPPED ON GAS AND NOTHING! HAD TO CREEP ACROSS TWO LANES OF BUSY TRAFFIC AND LIMP UP ONTO A SIDEWALK AS THAT THERE WAS NO BREAKDOWN SHOULDER. THAN GOD THE CURB WAS ABOUT 2 TO 3 INCHES HIGH. WRENCH ICON ON DASH: "SEE MANUAL". TURNED ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON - RPMS SURGED TO THE RED AND THEN D…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10873634 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10875824 · 2016-06-22 (June 22, 2016)

SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, COMPUTER SYSTEM INSIDE CAR SHUTS OFF BUT CAR IS STILL RUNNING. COULD NOT TURN CAR OFF OR OPEN THE DOORS. AFTER HITTING THE UNLOCK BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES I REALIZED I WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR. AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS, THE SYSTEM REBOOTED ITSELF AND STARTING BLINKING ERROR CODES. 37 CODES TO BE EXACT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT THE PERSON INSIDE THE CAR COULD NOT GET OUT.

Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10875824 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

15V707000 · Child Seat:Tether: Connector/Clip | Seat Belts

Reported: 2015-10-26 (October 26, 2015)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Mustang vehicles manufactured September 26, 2015, to October 1, 2015. The front and rear seat belts and child seat tether anchors may have been damaged in shipping from the supplier to the vehicle assembly plant and may not adequately restrain the occupant in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems."

Consequence: If the restraint components do not function as intended, the occupants may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

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. Ford's number for this recall is 15C13.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V779000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings

Reported: 2016-10-26 (October 26, 2016)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V082000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Reported: 2022-02-16 (February 16, 2022)

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.

Consequence: A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the 4th Quarter of 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S06.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
25V572000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Reported: 2025-09-03 (September 3, 2025)

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 vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Consequence: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
25V614000 · Seat Belts:Pretensioner

Reported: 2025-09-12 (September 12, 2025)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles. Water and road salt may corrode the front seat belt anchor pretensioner cables.

Consequence: A corroded cable can break, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining an occupant, and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

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. Dealers will also inspect the A-pillar sealing patches, and as necessary, install A-pillar body plugs, and/or inspect and replace the front outboard seat bolts. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed October 20, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S92. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov September 17, 2025.

NHTSA campaign record ↗