2016 Ford Mustang Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 76about this part
- Share
- 20%of 380 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 76 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Ford Mustang, 20% of the 380 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle shut down 2 times, once in traffic, did restart, seemingly because of low system voltage caused by a parasitic draw on the battery which has been present since new. Multiple DTC's in history which I can supply, Ford of course knows nothing, but I have seen many complaints on web pages about s550 battery draw.”
NHTSA complaint #11186897, filed 2019-03, 1,500 miles“Started my car this morning and as I was backing out, I noticed it was idling roughly, causing the car to shake. When stopped, the car felt like it might die and the RPM was inconsistent while accelerating and the car was moving. Very rough riding. Also, engine light came on and begin blinking.”
NHTSA complaint #11185141, filed 2019-03, 29,000 miles“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 good money for this car, we want to use the car instead of having the car I n the repair shop!”
NHTSA complaint #10972250, filed 2017-04, 5,000 miles“While coming to a stop with the clutch pressed in the car will randomly turn off intermittently. This has now just began happening, although it has now happened to me twice in 1 months time. I have also been reading on s550 Mustang forums (years 2015 - present) that I am not the only one experiencing this. It seems like an electrical issue or something as there are people with completely stock cars that are affected by this, and also people with 2018+ newer mustangs as well.”
NHTSA complaint #11378568, filed 2020-12, 26,600 miles“After having the car for 5 months (59,000 mi) the engine blew up while driving 60mph on a state highway and dropped all of its oil. The ecoboost mustangs are incredibly prone to this issue and Ford is just sweeping them under the rug. Ford had my car for 4 months when it was misfiring (which is how ecoboom begins) and replaced almost everything under the powertrain warranty minus the engine, transmission and turbocharger. When I got the car back it started to jump timing then misfire then all of a sudden it stopped. Then the engine blew up.”
NHTSA complaint #11378170, filed 2020-12, 59,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10159494Apr 26, 2019SSM 47948 - 2010-2019 Various Vehicles - Turbocharged Engines - Oil Supply Filter Replacement When Replacing The Turbocharger Or The Turbocharger Oil Supply Tube For 2010-2019…
- 10095154Jan 10, 2017To help differentiate engine oil leaks from other possible sources, a new white-colored fluorescent engine oil dye is available. Workshop manual (wsm), section 303-00 has been…
- 10094612Dec 9, 2016Some 2015-2016 edge with 2.0l gasoline turbocharged direct injection (gtdi), 2015-2016 mustang and f-150 with 5.0l engine and 2016 explorer equipped with 2.3l gtdi engine may…
- 10095975Nov 2, 2016Some 2016-2017 mustang gt350 equipped with the 5.2l engine may exhibit a rattle or rapping type sound during cold operation at light loads and speeds from idle - 3000 rpm. The…
- 10090668Oct 12, 20162015-2016 mustang 5.0l 32v ti-vct engine service engine assemblies (6006), cylinder assemblies short block (6009) and oil pans (6675) will no longer contain a low oil level…
- 10090505Oct 10, 2016Some 2015-2016 f-150, c-max, edge, mks, taurus, and flex and 2016 expedition, explorer, escape, fusion, mustang, mkz, mkx, navigator, transit and transit connect vehicles…
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to…
- 10092573Aug 26, 2016Some 2016 - 2017 mustang shelby gt350 vehicle may exhibit a p26fe dtc with diagnostics leading to replacement of the exhaust tailpipe actuator. This part was not initially…
- 10078972May 24, 2016Some 2015 and 2016 mustang vehicles equipped with a 5.2l twin independent variable camshaft timing (ti-vct) engine and built on or before 2/26/2016 may exhibit an intermittent…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 38% |
| 2025 | 3 | 16% |
| 2024 | 10 | 12% |
| 2023 | 2 | 13% |
| 2022 | 5 | 10% |
| 2021 | 8 | 15% |
| 2020 | 25 | 21% |
| 2019 | 53 | 35% |
| 2018 | 59 | 30% |
| 2017 | 27 | 10% |
| 2016 | 76 | 20% |
| 2015 | 51 | 12% |
| 2014 | 18 | 5% |
| 2013 | 22 | 8% |
| 2012 | 30 | 6% |
| 2011 | 48 | 10% |
| 2010 | 8 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 6 | 2% |
| 2007 | 15 | 2% |
| 2006 | 11 | 3% |
| 2005 | 19 | 3% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 6 | 4% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% |
| 1999 | 1 | 0% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 2 | 1% |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 0% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1989 | 1 | 1% |
| 1986 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2016 Ford Mustang
73 complaintsOther or unknown
70 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
52 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsBody and structure
28 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
27 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Ford Mustang
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology