Is the 2016 Ford MUSTANG reliable?

The 2016 Ford MUSTANG has 487 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Ford MUSTANG?

Top problems: ENGINE (80 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (70 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (69 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Ford MUSTANG?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): SEAT BELTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Ford MUSTANG?

The 2016 Ford MUSTANG gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Ford MUSTANG?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Ford MUSTANG is approximately $2,387/year (coupe-muscle class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Ford MUSTANG

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Ford MUSTANG has 487 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 296. The most common issue is engine problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford mustang. while driving 45 mph, a loud abnormal noise emitted from the engine and the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle was towed to the dealer. the technician diagnosed that the engine was defective and needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was made awar. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.

7 fire reports 5 crash reports 8 injuries

487

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

80 complaints

16%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWAR
• LOST POWER IN INSANELY BUSY IRVING/DALLAS INTERSECTION NEAR MAJOR HIGHWAY - COULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE ACCIDENT! 5400 PLUS MILES. FORD 2016 MUSTANG, V6 FROM A STANDING POSITION, SECOND CAR IN LINE AT RED LIGHT. LIGHT CHANGES, TRAFFIC STARTS TO MOVE, I STEPPED ON GAS AND NOTHING! HAD TO CREEP ACRO
• I JUST PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW 2016 MUSTANG LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE ALREADY BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH IT. I WAS STATIONARY WAITING AT THE STOP LIGHT AND SHIFTED INTO 1ST GEAR 3 TIMES AND MY CAR WOULDN'T BUDGE. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED IT TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE STREET. THE ENGINE LIG

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 4 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWAR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Ford MUSTANG

Based on 272 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 34K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

115

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 44K mi · 50 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 30 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

In line with typicalmedian 50K mi · 21 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 31K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 17K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

SEAT BELTS26/10/2015

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."

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Ford MUSTANG

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,201/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,549/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Ford MUSTANG

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,387

Full coverage / month

$199

Liability only / year

$794

vs US avg

+43%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (coupe-muscle)1.55x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$2387

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford MUSTANG Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2016 MUSTANG, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 487 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWAR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TAKATA RECALL I BEEN DEALING WITH A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND ITS BRAND NEW. EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR AND TURN IT ON AND DRIVE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES MY MUSIC TURNS OFF AND SHOWS THE HORSE SYMBOL DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN AND IT COMES BACK ON 10 MINUTES LATER. BUT THEN SOMETIMES IT DOES THAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: ENGINE OIL COOLER TUBE ASSEMBLIES LEAK BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE PROBLEM NOT FIXED, YESTERDAY 4/12/17 BROUGHT THE CAR AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS SAYING THE COUJLD NOT FINISH THE JOB TODAY AND WANTS TO KEEP THE CAR OVER THE WEEKEND FOR FURTHER REPAIRS. WE PAID GO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: BACKUP CAMERA NOT WORKING. CAR HAS POOR VISIBILITY WHEN BACKING UP WITHOUT THE CAMERA. MESSAGE SAYS CAMERA NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER SAID ITS THE WIRING HARNESSES AND WANTS $900.00 TO REPLACE . FORD HAS BAD DESIGN WITH THE SHORT CABLE IN THE TRUNK AND THE MATERIAL USED TO WRAP THE WIRES.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)