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2016 Ford Mustang: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2016 Ford Mustang, most recently filed September 2025. Owners have filed 378 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 5campaigns 2 seat belt · 2 rear camera · 1 engine Source: NHTSA Complaints 378filed Owner reports, 2012–2021 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 5★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 5★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 25mpg combined $2,612/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2.3 L 4-cyl· 6-speed manual 9 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
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Recalls (5)

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2016 Ford Mustang. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2016 Ford Mustang. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 25V614000 Filed Sep 12, 2025

Seat Belt Anchor Pretensioner Cables May Corrode and Break

Seat belts · pretensioner
Official NHTSA text
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.
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.
Repair progress not yet reported332,778 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 25V614000
Listed for 2016 Ford Mustang. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 25V572000 Filed Sep 3, 2025

Blank or Distorted Rearview Camera Image

Back over prevention · sensing system · camera
Official NHTSA text
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.
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.
15.4% repairedof 1,456,417 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 25V572000
Listed for 2016 Ford Mustang. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 22V082000 Filed Feb 16, 2022

Blank or Distorted Rearview Camera Image

Back over prevention · sensing system · camera
Official NHTSA text
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.
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.
37.5% repairedof 330,784 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V082000
Listed for 2016 Ford Mustang. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V779000 Filed Oct 26, 2016

Oil Leak from Engine Cooler Hose

Engine and engine cooling · cooling system · hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
81.1% repairedof 6,582 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V779000
Listed for 2016 Ford Mustang. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V707000 Filed Oct 26, 2015

Restraint Components may be Damaged/FMVSS/209/225

Child seat · tether · connector/clip
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
90.9% repairedof 1,900 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V707000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Mustang years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Ford MustangAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (378)

378 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

13involved a crash
7involved a fire
11injuries reported
2deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Ford Mustang, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 378.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2016 compares with other Mustang years

Best and worst Mustang years →
469 271 359 437 378 265 194 149 120 55
2012201320142015201620172018201920202021
This year (2016)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 4★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 8.1%★★★★★
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2016 Ford Mustang 2 dr rwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined

25
mpg combined
22
city
31
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,700
CO₂ tailpipe
352 g/mi
EPA class
Subcompact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,612per year
$218per month
600gallons a year

Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2016 Ford Mustang configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.3 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25$2,700352
2.3 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive21 / 31 / 25$2,700356
2.3 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive20 / 29 / 23$2,900378
3.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22$3,050410
3.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive17 / 28 / 21$3,200427
5 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive16 / 25 / 19$3,550470
5 L 8-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive15 / 25 / 19$3,550480
5 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 23 / 18$3,700489
5.2 L 8-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive14 / 21 / 16$5,150539

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2016 Mustang for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Mustang years

Where to next

Which Mustang years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2017 Ford Mustang report265 complaints · 6 campaigns →2015 Ford Mustang report437 complaints · 11 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2016 Ford Mustang FAQ

How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Mustang have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 25V614000 (seat belt), 25V572000 (rear camera), 22V082000 (rear camera), 16V779000 (engine), 15V707000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2016 Ford Mustang problems?

Owners filed 378 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (75), Electrical system (73), Unknown or other (69) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2016 Ford Mustang get?

EPA rates the 2.3 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual version at 22 city, 31 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2016 Ford Mustang get?

NHTSA rated the 2016 Ford Mustang 2 dr rwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 5 stars rollover (8.1% rollover risk).

How does the 2016 Mustang compare with other years?

Among the 2012–2021 Ford Mustang model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (55) and the 2012 the most (469). The 2016 drew 378. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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