The Lemon Index2016 Ford Mustang.
The 2016 Ford Mustang is about average by owner complaints: 106 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 95, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 18 to 25 mpg combined. The best Ford Mustang year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2015–2023 Ford Mustang, 69.7M views. The 2016 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical777K views
DIY - 2017/2016 Ford Mustang - How to change SmartKey Key fob Battery on Ford MustangKey Fob Rob · 506K views · 2 videos - Timing chain & engine289K views
Watch This Guide BEFORE You Buy A 2020 Ford Mustang!TFLnow · 289K views - Windows, doors & mirrors202K views
2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Convertible Soft Top Open CloseLoonyGarage · 202K views
Before you buy, watch
Should You Buy a 2018 Mustang GT Over a 2013 Mustang GT? - Which is Better? (In Depth Comparison)ThatDudeinBlue · 576K views
Ford Mustang coupe 2015-2018 review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 331K views
Ford Mustang V8 Sports Car 2018 review | Mat Watson Reviewscarwow · 2.0M viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 379 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Mustang year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 13K to 63K miles on the car (204 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 7K–64K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 17K–47K miles
- backup camera complaints mostly came at 20K–81K miles
Recalls 5
- seat belts 2025
Water and road salt may corrode the front seat belt anchor pretensioner cables.
- back over prevention 2025
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
- back over prevention 2022
The rearview camera wiring may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image.
Show all 5 recalls
- engine 2016
A hose may separate from the engine oil cooler tube assembly causing an oil leak.
- seat belts 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 167 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2015 and 2016 mustang vehicles equipped with a 5.2l twin independent variable camshaft…
- Some 2015-2016 f-150, c-max, edge, mks, taurus, and flex and 2016 expedition, explorer,…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Mustang C RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2550–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Shelby gt350 5.2l v8: engine oil filter spins loose, causing catastrophic loss of oil. Street use only, no track days. Car dealer serviced only. Dealer denied fault, said oil filter coming loose was "normal" for this Model.
2016 Ford Mustang owner · NHTSA complaint 11191798
More owner reports
Rear differential traction control clutch pack failure
NHTSA complaint 11075134
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.
NHTSA complaint 10870551
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Ford Mustang reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 95; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Mustang year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2016 Ford Mustang problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (26%), transmission & drivetrain (16%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Mustang have?
5 safety recalls (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford Mustang get?
18 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Ford Mustang safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Mustang problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 13,000 and 63,800 miles. The middle report was at 35,300 miles, from 204 complaints.
Does the 2016 Ford Mustang have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Ford Mustang cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Ford Mustang have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
What Ford Mustang year is better than the 2016?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2021 and 2022.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works