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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2016 Ford Mustang is associated with 373 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 5 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 52 reports (14% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 9 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2.3l 4-cyl, 3.7l 6-cyl, 5l 8-cyl, and 5.2l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 16 to 25 MPG combined.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 373 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 5 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Engine (52 / 14%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 13 crash / 6 fire / 10 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 16–25 MPG across 9 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2016 Ford Mustang?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Mustang 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 22 MPG 31 MPG 25 MPG — $2,450 / yr
Mustang 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 21 MPG 31 MPG 25 MPG — $2,450 / yr
Mustang Convertible 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 20 MPG 29 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Mustang 3.7L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 19 MPG 27 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Mustang 3.7L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 17 MPG 28 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Mustang 5L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 16 MPG 25 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Mustang 5L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 15 MPG 25 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Mustang Convertible 5L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 15 MPG 23 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Shelby GT350 Mustang 5.2L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 14 MPG 21 MPG 16 MPG — $4,750 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2016 Ford Mustang?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
C RWD 8.1%
2 DR RWD 8.1%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Ford Mustang models.
View complete 2016 Ford Mustang crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2016 Ford Mustang?

Summary of 373 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
373
Crash Reports
13
Fire Reports
6
Complaints w/ Injury
10
Total Injuries
11

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Engine 52 complaints
Back Over Prevention / Camera 37 complaints (1 crash)
Electrical System 33 complaints
Powertrain 20 complaints
Doors, Latches & Locks 13 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2016 Ford Mustang problems & component breakdown (76 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2016 Ford Mustang?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #25V614000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

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

Free Manufacturer 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 #25V572000 Active Recall
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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 #22V082000 Active Recall
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2016 Ford Mustang recalls & campaign history (5 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2016 Ford Mustang

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2016 Ford Mustang

How many safety recalls does the 2016 Ford Mustang have?

The 2016 Ford Mustang is associated with 5 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 5 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Ford Mustang?

NHTSA records list 373 consumer defect complaints for the 2016 Ford Mustang. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Engine, appearing in 52 filings (14% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2016 Ford Mustang defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Ford Mustang?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2016 Ford Mustang earned an Overall Safety Rating of 5 out of 5 stars across 1 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2016 Ford Mustang get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2016 Ford Mustang range from 16 to 25 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.