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.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 373 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 5 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (52 / 14%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 13 crash / 6 fire / 10 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 16–25 MPG (9 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| 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.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| C RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | | 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 →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
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) →
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.
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.
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) →