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Performance cars · Ford

Ford Shelby GT350: performance, engines and what owners say

Ford Shelby GT350 in Avalanche Gray, AI illustration

GT350R S550 · 2016–2020

526horsepower
3.90–60 mph, sec
175mph top speed

526-hp flat-plane-crank V-8 that revs to 8,250 rpm. Manual only.

S550 GT350 · 2016–2020

How fast is the GT350?

Fastback coupe, 2016–2020. 0–60 times are magazine tests where we have one, otherwise the maker's figure.

GT350

2016

526 hpat 7,500 rpm

Torque
429 lb-ftat 4,750 rpm
0–60 mph
4.3 sCar and Driver test
Gearbox
6-speed manual (Tremec TR-3160), rear-driveTorsen limited-slip, 3.73:1 final drive
Weight
3,760 lbbase car
Price new
$47,7952016, from Ford's online configurator; destination not stated
Sources
  1. Ford, Aug 24 2015: 2016 Shelby GT350 / GT350R technical specifications (PDF, archived)
  2. Ars Technica, Apr 19 2016: the Shelby GT350 is Ford's best-ever Mustang (specs and prices)
  3. 0-60specs.com: Ford Mustang 0-60 runs by magazine (Car and Driver, MotorTrend)

Track Package

2016

526 hpat 7,500 rpm

MagneRide dampers plus transmission and differential coolers. Standard from 2017.

Torque
429 lb-ftat 4,750 rpm
Gearbox
6-speed manual (Tremec TR-3160), rear-drive
Weight
3,791 lb
Package price
$6,500package price on the 2016 GT350
Sources
  1. Ford, Aug 24 2015: 2016 Shelby GT350 / GT350R technical specifications (PDF, archived)
  2. Ars Technica, Apr 19 2016: the Shelby GT350 is Ford's best-ever Mustang (specs and prices)
  3. Top Gear, Apr 7 2016: 2017 Mustang GT350 gets the Track Pack as standard

GT350

2017–2018

526 hpat 7,500 rpm

Track Package made standard: MagneRide, strut brace, rear spoiler, oil, transmission and differential coolers.

Torque
429 lb-ftat 4,750 rpm
0–60 mph
4.2 sCar and Driver test
Gearbox
6-speed manual (Tremec TR-3160), rear-drive
Price new
$56,4952017, Track Package now standard; destination not stated
Sources
  1. Ars Technica, Apr 19 2016: the Shelby GT350 is Ford's best-ever Mustang (specs and prices)
  2. 0-60specs.com: Ford Mustang 0-60 runs by magazine (Car and Driver, MotorTrend)
  3. Top Gear, Apr 7 2016: 2017 Mustang GT350 gets the Track Pack as standard

GT350R

2016–2020

526 hpat 7,500 rpm, same as GT350

Carbon fiber wheels, Cup 2 tires, wing and bigger splitter; no A/C, stereo or rear seats. 130+ lb lighter.

Torque
429 lb-ftat 4,750 rpm
0–60 mph
3.9 sCar and Driver test
Top speed
175 mphArs Technica spec box
Gearbox
6-speed manual (Tremec TR-3160), rear-drive3.73:1 final drive
Weight
3,655 lb3,703 lb with Electronics Package
Price new
$62,1952016; destination not stated
Sources
  1. Ford, Aug 24 2015: 2016 Shelby GT350 / GT350R technical specifications (PDF, archived)
  2. Ars Technica, Apr 19 2016: the Shelby GT350 is Ford's best-ever Mustang (specs and prices)
  3. 0-60specs.com: Ford Mustang 0-60 runs by magazine (Car and Driver, MotorTrend)
  4. Motor1, Oct 1 2020: Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 officially discontinued
  5. Ford, Jan 12 2015: Shelby GT350R Mustang, most track-capable production Mustang ever built (archived)

The engine: Ford Voodoo 5.2

Ford Voodoo 5.2 engine, AI illustration

5.2-liter V-8, naturally aspirated, flat-plane crank

Redline8,250 rpm
Output526 hp at 7,500 rpm, 429 lb-ft at 4,750 rpm
CrankshaftFlat-plane, Ford's first production V-8 with one
InternalsForged pistons and rods, 12.0:1 compression, port injection

Engine's YouTube owner tone 49/100 (videos about the Ford Voodoo 5.2 in every car that uses it, so it differs from this car's own tone below)

Ford Voodoo 5.2 engine page →

Why the engine page shows fewer: it counts only the 10 owner complaints and 0 recalls for 2016–2020 that name this engine or a version that only had it. This page counts all 1,111 complaints and 20 recall campaigns NHTSA files under "Mustang" for those years, other engines included.

Known issues

  • Oil use and engine failuresOwner-reported

    Owners describe heavy oil use (one reports over 1 quart per 1,000 miles) and sudden engine failures in NHTSA complaints, including a 2019 engine that locked up at 450 miles. We found no Ford recall or bulletin for it.

    43 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (2016–2020)
  • Oil leaks at the filter and coolerMaker bulletin

    Ford bulletins cover leaks from damaged oil cooler tube O-rings (2015–2018) and from the oil pressure sensor near the filter (2017 cars built Jan–Sep 2017). Ford also sent 2015–2017 owners a free oil filter wrench, and some owners report filters coming loose.

    Fix: Replace the cooler tube O-rings (SSM 47364) or follow TSB 18-2159.

    13 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (2016–2020)
  • Cold-start rattleMaker bulletin

    On 2016–2017 cars a rattle at light throttle when cold comes from piston motion in the bore. Ford says it fades when warm and is not a durability concern.

    8 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (2016–2020)
  • Hesitation or surgeMaker bulletin

    Ford bulletins describe hesitation or surging with no fault codes on 2015–2020 GT350 and GT350R, sometimes with cruise control not working.

    Fix: Ford TSB 22-2140, the latest version, gives the service procedure.

    17 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (2016–2020)
  • Timing chain tensioner (2020)Maker bulletin

    On some 2020 GT350 and GT500 5.2L engines the secondary timing chain tensioner may not have been activated at assembly. That can cause timing loss, misfires and engine damage.

    Fix: Dealers inspect the tensioner free under Ford program 21B26.

    1 owner complaint to NHTSA mentions it (2016–2020)
  • Limp mode from overheating (2016, disputed)Lawsuit

    A class action said 2016 Base and Technology cars, sold without transmission and differential coolers, overheat and go into limp mode. A Florida jury found for Ford in March 2024, and the two sides then agreed to settle.

    Fix: The coolers are standard on every GT350 from 2017.

    40 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (2016–2020)
Engine sources
  1. Ford, Aug 24 2015: 2016 Shelby GT350 / GT350R technical specifications (PDF, archived)
  2. Ars Technica, Apr 19 2016: the Shelby GT350 is Ford's best-ever Mustang (specs and prices)
  3. Top Gear, Apr 7 2016: 2017 Mustang GT350 gets the Track Pack as standard
  4. Ford, Jan 12 2015: Shelby GT350R Mustang, most track-capable production Mustang ever built (archived)
  5. NHTSA owner complaints, 2016 Ford Mustang (GT350 reports incl. ODI 11191811, 11191798)
  6. NHTSA owner complaints, 2019 Ford Mustang (GT350 reports incl. ODI 11253760, 11624679)
  7. Ford SSM 47364: 2015–2018 GT350 oil leak at oil filter adapter / cooler O-rings (CarComplaints summary)
  8. Ford TSB 18-2159: 2017 GT350 oil leak in the oil filter area, oil pressure sensor (CarComplaints summary)
  9. Ford program 17B04: 2015–2017 Shelby GT350/GT350R complimentary oil filter wrench (CarComplaints summary)
  10. Ford SSM 46173: 2016–2017 GT350 5.2L rattle during cold operation (CarComplaints summary)
  11. Ford TSB 22-2140: 2015–2020 GT350/GT350R hesitation or surge, no DTCs (CarComplaints summary)
  12. Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21B26: 2020 GT350/GT500 5.2L secondary timing chain tensioner (filed with NHTSA)
  13. CarComplaints, Mar 22 2017: Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 lawsuit says cars overheat
  14. CarComplaints, Jul 23 2021: class action certified for GT350 owners in nine states
  15. CarComplaints, May 5 2024: Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 lawsuit settlement reached

What owners say on YouTube

The GT350 YouTube study is queued: the 200 most-watched videos, their tone and what owners praise and complain about show here when it lands.

Should you buy a GT350?

  • New, the GT350R cost $62,195 (2016; destination not stated).
  • Most owner complaints: the 2016 (379). Fewest: the 2020 (120). Raw counts, not per car sold, for every version NHTSA files under this name.
  • Budget for oil use and engine failures: 43 owner complaints mention it.
  • Budget for oil leaks at the filter and cooler: 13 owner complaints mention it. Replace the cooler tube O-rings (SSM 47364) or follow TSB 18-2159.
  • 20 recall campaigns across 2016–2020 (all Mustang versions). Check a VIN before you buy.
  • Repair costs: we don't have owner-reported repair costs for the GT350 yet.
Sources
  1. Ars Technica, Apr 19 2016: the Shelby GT350 is Ford's best-ever Mustang (specs and prices)

Compare the GT350

GT350 vs Chevrolet Camaro ZL1See it →
GT350 vs Chevrolet Camaro Z/28Coming soon
GT350 vs BMW M4See it →GT350 vs Ford Shelby GT500See it →
All sources (18)
  1. Ford, Aug 24 2015: 2016 Shelby GT350 / GT350R technical specifications (PDF, archived) Ford (archived)
  2. Ars Technica, Apr 19 2016: the Shelby GT350 is Ford's best-ever Mustang (specs and prices) outlet
  3. 0-60specs.com: Ford Mustang 0-60 runs by magazine (Car and Driver, MotorTrend) magazine tests, aggregated
  4. Top Gear, Apr 7 2016: 2017 Mustang GT350 gets the Track Pack as standard outlet
  5. Motor1, Oct 1 2020: Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 officially discontinued outlet
  6. Wikipedia: Shelby Mustang (2019 and 2020 Shelby GT350 sections) Wikipedia (fallback; no Ford source found for the 2019 changes)
  7. Ford, Jan 12 2015: Shelby GT350R Mustang, most track-capable production Mustang ever built (archived) Ford (archived)
  8. NHTSA owner complaints, 2016 Ford Mustang (GT350 reports incl. ODI 11191811, 11191798) NHTSA (owner complaints)
  9. NHTSA owner complaints, 2019 Ford Mustang (GT350 reports incl. ODI 11253760, 11624679) NHTSA (owner complaints)
  10. Ford SSM 47364: 2015–2018 GT350 oil leak at oil filter adapter / cooler O-rings (CarComplaints summary) Ford bulletin (outlet summary)
  11. Ford TSB 18-2159: 2017 GT350 oil leak in the oil filter area, oil pressure sensor (CarComplaints summary) Ford bulletin (outlet summary)
  12. Ford program 17B04: 2015–2017 Shelby GT350/GT350R complimentary oil filter wrench (CarComplaints summary) Ford bulletin (outlet summary)
  13. Ford SSM 46173: 2016–2017 GT350 5.2L rattle during cold operation (CarComplaints summary) Ford bulletin (outlet summary)
  14. Ford TSB 22-2140: 2015–2020 GT350/GT350R hesitation or surge, no DTCs (CarComplaints summary) Ford bulletin (outlet summary)
  15. Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21B26: 2020 GT350/GT500 5.2L secondary timing chain tensioner (filed with NHTSA) Ford bulletin
  16. CarComplaints, Mar 22 2017: Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 lawsuit says cars overheat outlet
  17. CarComplaints, Jul 23 2021: class action certified for GT350 owners in nine states outlet
  18. CarComplaints, May 5 2024: Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 lawsuit settlement reached outlet

Owner complaints to NHTSA

NHTSA has no separate GT350 model and files the GT350 and GT350R under Mustang, so these counts are every Mustang of these years.

No Lemon Index for the GT350: the index is complaints per car sold, and sales by trim aren't published. These are raw counts.

1,111 complaints for 2016–2020.

2016379
2017267
2018195
2019150
2020120

What they're about

Engine237
Electrical system195
Unknown or other171
Power train150
Back over prevention145

Recalls

  • 15V707000 Seat Belts2016

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Mustang vehicles manufactured September 26, 2015, to October 1, 2015.

  • 16V779000 Engine And Engine Cooling2016–2017

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles manufactured February 24, 2015, to August 30, 2016.

  • 22V082000 Back Over Prevention2016–2017

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles.

  • 25V572000 Back Over Prevention2016–2019

    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.

  • 25V614000 Seat Belts2016–2017

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles.

  • 17V529000 Air Bags2017

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 F-150 and Mustang vehicles.

  • 17V168000 Latches/Locks/Linkages2017

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Mustang vehicles.

  • 18E035000 Engine And Engine Cooling2018

    Roush Performance Products, Inc.

  • 17V814000 Electrical System2018

    Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2018 Ford Mustang vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and a 12.4" digital instrument cluster.

  • 18V213000 Power Train2018

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions.

  • 20V263000 Power Train2019–2020

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles.

  • 19V076000 Electrical System2019

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles.

  • 22V382000 Power Train2019–2020

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions.

  • 25V442000 Back Over Prevention2019–2020

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Avia

  • 26V372000 Electrical System2019

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 19V076.

  • 20V306000 Forward Collision Avoidance2020

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped a forward-looking camera.

  • 20V573000 Service Brakes, Hydraulic2020

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.

  • 20V575000 Back Over Prevention2020

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles.

  • 23V727000 Electrical System2020

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Mustang vehicles.

  • 25V695000 Back Over Prevention2020

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles.

Source: NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov). Check a VIN for open recalls on one car.

Quick answers

How fast is the Ford GT350R?

The S550 GT350R makes 526 hp and 429 lb-ft. Car and Driver measured 0–60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Top speed: 175 mph (Ars Technica spec box).

What engine does the Ford Shelby GT350 have?

The S550 GT350 (2016–2020) uses the Ford Voodoo 5.2, a 5.2-liter V-8, naturally aspirated, flat-plane crank.

Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

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