2016 Ford Mustang Engine Problems

82 owners have reported engine & cooling problems with the 2016 Ford Mustang to NHTSA — 22% of all 379 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 44,000 miles. That ranks #4 of 32 Mustang model years for engine complaints (a typical year has 34). One related recall has been issued.

82complaints
44ktypical miles
1related recalls
1crashes
4fires
4injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1837%
  • 25k–50k
    1020%
  • 50k–75k
    714%
  • 75k–100k
    918%
  • 100k–150k
    48%
  • 150k+
    12%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Ford Mustang owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that when purchasing the vehicle they noticed the instrument panel had failed to illuminate. Then while driving at approximately 20 MPH the red wrench displayed on the instrument panel and there was a loud noise coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle began shaking and emitting a burning oil odor. The contact lost control of the vehicle before it stalled and a spark of fire came from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact was able to get out of the vehicle where they watched black smoke come from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact noticed that there was oil all over the road. The fire department was not called. A police report was not made. The contact had received a concussion from hitting their head on the steering wheel when losing control of the vehicle. Medical attention was needed. …

52,000 miles · Sep 2024 · fire · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that the emergency brake was engaged however, the vehicle crashed into the curb. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact then stated that the driver's side seat belt failed to operate and was seized. As result, the contact sustained an injury to her neck and finger. No medical attention was needed. The air bags failed to deploy. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle cylinder was replaced but failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the master cylinder needed to be replaced but diagnosed that nothing was wrong with the seatbelt. …

78,000 miles · Feb 2022 · crash · 1 injury

This specific car model is a 2016 Shelby GT350 tech package that I owned for at least 7 months. In this time period i had only put 7k mikes on it before it blew up. After doing tons of research there is a tons of class action law suits against Ford for these cars. The incident that occurred was while driving the vehicle caught fire on the passenger side. Driving at the speed limit of 40 MPH no warning lights, Check engine lights or anything it just blew up. Up to this point all maitence was done properly and after doing some research it had the same issue report by multiple other Shelby owners of this year. This vehicle is not safe for the roads and if not properly investigated, it can cause someone to lose their life. I incurred a bruised head, burns and loss of hair from this accident. I've contacted Ford in regards to this issue and yet to have anything done. …

Feb 2023 · fire · 2 injuries

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic discovered a misfire in cylinder #3. The coil and the spark plug in cylinder #3 were replaced; however, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated as the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot. The contact took the vehicle back to the mechanic where they discovered that the coolant level was low and recommended that the vehicle be taken to a dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the diagnostic test discovered that coolant had leaked into cylinder #3 and that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA for assistance. …

59,000 miles · Jan 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the message "Engine Failure - SS Repower Mode" and a message advising that the vehicle would shut off in thirty seconds was displayed. The vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact who is disabled was assisted by other motorists pushing the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to Elmer's Auto Repair & Mobile Services, where the vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that the engine had melted internally, and there were two large holes in the engine. The mechanic replaced the engine. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. …

91,000 miles · May 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while stationary the vehicle's revolutions started to go up, and the vehicle kept accelerating without a reason or the accelerator being depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact then tried to look around to see if any mats or if anything else was making the vehicle accelerate on its own, but found nothing was making the vehicle accelerate. The vehicle was shut off and when the contact tried to start the vehicle, the vehicle kept accelerating on its own. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mat air flow sensor was replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The independent mechanic was not able to provide a diagnosis. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,682.

51,000 miles · Feb 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving and at start up, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact noticed that oil had leaked onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure could not be determined; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the valve cover gasket was leaking oil and the spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V779000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was 163,000.

163,000 miles · Apr 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while at a stop sign, the vehicle lost automotive power. The check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had a rough start prior to the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was pushed into a nearby local independent service center, where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was left for further investigation at the owner's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V779000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000. The VIN was not available.

99,000 miles · Mar 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal banging sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact noticed that oil and coolant were leaking from underneath the vehicle onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine block had fractured, causing the coolant and oil leak. The independent mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V779000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 79,089.

79,000 miles · Jan 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine seized. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that chunks of the head gasket were found inside the engine. In addition, coolant and metal shavings were found in the oil pan. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

110,000 miles · May 2024

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings

NHTSA recall 16V-779 · Oct 26, 2016 · 6,582 vehicles

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.

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.

Engine complaints in other Mustang years

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26347110608957664347641354372084125533231951823465622710621043
Engine complaints per model year, Ford Mustang.

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2016 Ford Mustang?

NHTSA has 82 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Ford Mustang, 22% of the model year's 379 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2016 Ford Mustang engine problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-779 (hoses/lines/piping/fittings, Oct 26, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2016 Ford Mustang engine problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 37% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 4 injuries and 2 deaths to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.