VehicleVerdict

2016 Ford Mustang engine problems

The 2016 Ford Mustang has 80 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 16% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

80

Engine complaints

16%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Mustang engine complaints by model year410 complaints1978: 2 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 6 complaints1985: 3 complaints1986: 6 complaints1987: 5 complaints1988: 5 complaints1989: 7 complaints1990: 10 complaints1991: 7 complaints1992: 7 complaints1993: 12 complaints1994: 194 complaints1995: 410 complaints1996: 95 complaints1997: 42 complaints1998: 48 complaints1999: 35 complaints2000: 47 complaints2001: 27 complaints2002: 27 complaints2003: 45 complaints2004: 8 complaints2005: 44 complaints2006: 27 complaints2007: 20 complaints2008: 8 complaints2009: 4 complaints2010: 12 complaints2011: 55 complaints2012: 33 complaints2013: 23 complaints2014: 19 complaints2015: 50 complaints2016: 80 complaints2017: 34 complaints2018: 61 complaints2019: 56 complaints2020: 25 complaints2021: 10 complaints2022: 6 complaints2023: 2 complaints2024: 9 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Mustang engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

16V779000EngineOctober 26, 2016 · 6,582 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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

What owners report

“SHELBY GT350 5.2L V8: ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET FAILURE CAUSED OIL LOSS AND FIRE IN ENGINE BAY--OIL BURNING ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD. SMOKE UNDER HOOD AND INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WITH MANUFACTURER'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. OIL SPRAY FROM VALVE COVER GASKET ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 6, 2018 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2016 Ford Mustang have?

NHTSA has 80 complaints about the 2016 Ford Mustang engine — 16% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2016 Ford Mustang engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 16V779000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.