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2016 Ford Mustang problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
33% of relevant owner complaints on the 2016 Ford Mustang are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is elevated. Worth an independent inspection before you commit to one.
Better than 65% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 25 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 31%).
Does the 2016 Ford Mustang have engine problems?
More than most. The pattern is elevated rather than severe. 117 of 353 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Mustang concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (33%), and the largest group is filed under engine (75). For comparison, the 2015 scores 30% and the 2017 scores 22%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2016 compares with other Ford Mustang years
Of the 13 Ford Mustang years with enough complaints to score, the 2016 is the 6th-best on engine and transmission share (33%). The worst is the 2011 (74%), the best the 2017 (22%). By volume, the 2016 drew 378 complaints (117 drivetrain), against 437 for the 2015 and 265 for the 2017.
Ford Mustang years to avoid and best years →
2010 Mustang problems · 2011 Mustang problems · 2012 Mustang problems · 2013 Mustang problems · 2014 Mustang problems · 2015 Mustang problems · 2016 · 2017 Mustang problems · 2018 Mustang problems · 2019 Mustang problems · 2020 Mustang problems · 2021 Mustang problems · 2022 Mustang problems
The rest of the picture on the 2016 Ford Mustang
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2016 Ford Mustang said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 117 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2016 Ford Mustang engine recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2016 Ford Mustang involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 5 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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…
4 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2016 Ford Mustang? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2016 Ford Mustang
Does the 2016 Ford Mustang have engine problems?
More than most; the pattern is elevated rather than severe. 117 of 353 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Mustang concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (33%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Ford Mustang?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2016 Ford Mustang is engine: 75 of 378 complaints (20%) name it, followed by electrical system (73) and back over prevention (52). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.
Is the 2016 Ford Mustang reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 33% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (elevated signal). That is better than 65% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 13 Ford Mustang years we score, it ranks 6th-best. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2016 Ford Mustang?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2016 Ford Mustang involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 5 in total: 16V779000 (engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Ford Mustang years are better?
Among the Ford Mustang years we track, the 2017 (22%), the 2021 (29%) and the 2015 (30%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2016 (33%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/ford-mustang
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.