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2016 Ford Mustang Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2016 Ford Mustang carries 5 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering seat belts and hoses/lines/piping/fittings. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rearview camera failure under back-over prevention recall.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

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5 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SEAT BELTS

Campaign #15V707000 · Oct 26, 2015

Issue: 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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

Campaign #16V779000 · Oct 26, 2016

Issue: 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.

Risk: A sudden loss of engine oil may cause engine failure, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, an oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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. Ford's number for this recall is 16S40.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Campaign #22V082000 · Feb 16, 2022

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera wiring may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image.

Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the decklid wiring harness and/or replace the rearview camera, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2022 and June 26, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the 4th Quarter of 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S06.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Campaign #25V572000 · Apr 9, 2025

Issue: 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. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

Campaign #25V614000 · Dec 9, 2025

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles. Water and road salt may corrode the front seat belt anchor pretensioner cables.

Risk: A corroded cable can break, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining an occupant, and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace both front seat belt anchor pretensioner assemblies, as necessary. In addition, dealers will remove sections of the carpet and underlayment that contact the cables. Dealers will also inspect the A-pillar sealing patches, and as necessary, install A-pillar body plugs, and/or inspect and replace the front outboard seat bolts. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed October 20, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S92. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov September 17, 2025.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Ford Mustang.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021

    From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 200…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Rearview camera failure under back-over prevention recall

BACK OVER PREVENTION

56 NHTSA complaints · 2021-08 → 2026-06

“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse, the screen turned blue with a message that the back over prevention camera was unavailable”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11716192
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the dealer previously performed the recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V082000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the failure recurred”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11493956
“Around September of 2021 the backup camera on my 2016 Ford Mustang convertible began to fail to show a viewable image”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11449105

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door unlatching or opening while driving

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

14 NHTSA complaints · 2021-09 → 2026-08

“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH with his daughter inside the vehicle, the driver’s and passenger’s side doors opened unexpectedly”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11755474
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the driver’s side door latch mechanism malfunctioned, causing the door to unintendedly open”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11540733
“The locked doors are randomly unlatching when I hit a bump. It’s happened several times on one side or the other and usually when I’m driving at high speed on the freeway”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11461170

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

EcoBoost engine coolant intrusion and head gasket failure

ENGINE

32 NHTSA complaints · 2022-04 → 2026-08

“2016 Ford Mustang 2.3L Ecoboost Engine. Coolant intrusion into the cylinder”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11709717
“Coolant intrusion into the cylinder head. This caused a sudden halt of he vehicle which could have caused an accident and loss of life. The engine coolant overheating temperature warning light came on”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11683898
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11593892

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel tank leak and gasoline odor

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

9 NHTSA complaints · 2021-10 → 2025-12

“On 12/06/2025 I filled the vehicle with gasoline. As I was driving home I noticd a strong odor of gasoline. When I arrived home I parked the car in my carport”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11706935
“The vehicle is leaking fuel profusely right next to the passenger side exhaust pipe”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11646547
“Noticed a fuel vapor odor for a couple of weeks. After filling the fuel tank the odor intensified”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11508296

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front seat belt anchor and webbing failure under recall

SEAT BELTS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2022-08 → 2026-06

“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while attempting to buckle the front driver's side seat belt, the seat belt anchor mounted on the floor by the front driver's side door detached”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11605343
“The driver and passenger seatbelts are unusable due to deterioration. The fabric has shredded to the point that they jam in the mechanism and do not extend far enough to be buckled”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11589761
“Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Mustang vehicles manufactured September 26, 2015, to October 1, 2015”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11605332

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Swollen lug nuts preventing tire removal

WHEELS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2022-10 → 2024-11

“Lug nuts on car have swollen up and tire repair shop said they need to be replaced because if we are to get a flat we wont be able to change tire”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11492280
“My 2016 Mustang GT has swollen lug nuts which must be replaced . This is a safety issue”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11508856
“I recently took my vehicle to the local Ford dealer to get the oil changed and tires rotated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11525047

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Heated seat wiring harness melting and burning odor

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2022-03 → 2024-11

“Noticed seat heaters stopped working then noticed a smell coming from passenger seat”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11499090
“I smelled a burning smell when turning on seat heater. Seat heater no longer provides heat, but indicator switch light up as if heater should be on”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11455436
“Heated and cool seats stopped working after a bit of investigating i saw the ground wire for the module under the passenger seat had melted and could cause a fire”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11581254

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal stop bumper wear and stuck brake lights

SERVICE BRAKES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2023-06 → 2026-07

“I am experiencing the same issues as NHTSA 22V-011 where the brake pedal stop bumper had disintegrated, causing continuous brake lights and a potential rollaway risk”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11752628
“Break bumper disintegrated, causing the rear bites to stay on and the automatic transmission to be able to switch from Parker to drive causing the vehicle to be able to roll and possibly crash”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11747552
“The brake sensor position pad sensor deteriorated. Causing the system to read that the brakes were being applied. This makes the Brake lights staying on even when the key is turned off”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11674284

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

90 crashes 1990–2024

How the 90 occupant deaths break down

62

driver deaths

28

passenger deaths

90

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2016 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

13

complaints mentioning a crash

6

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Ford Mustang reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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