Makes›Ford›Mustang›2016

2016 Ford Mustang

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

Ford Mustang
Pictured: Ford Mustang VII GT Rutesheimer Autoschau 2025 DSC 9234. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Subcompact Cars
Body styles
GT 2dr Convertible RWD, GT 2dr Coupe RWD, V6/Ecoboost 2dr Convertible RWD, V6/Ecoboost 2dr Coupe RWD
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.7L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl, 5.2L 8-cyl
Horsepower
300–435 hp
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
25 combined · 22 city / 31 hwy
Length
188.2 in
Curb weight
3,523–3,871 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Strong performanceUp to 435 hp, versus about 268 hp for similar 2016 models.
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints380 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 104 for similar models — most often about the engine.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 16 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Ford Mustang is a subcompact car offered with 4 engines (2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.7L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl and 5.2L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 188 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,871 lb (GT 2dr Convertible RWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 31 highway), 5% better than the 2016 subcompact car average of 23.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,700 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 380 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2016

  • Engine added: 5.2L 8-cyl

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Mustang →

Trims, performance & features

Engine310 hp2.3L 4-cyl
Engine435 hp5.0L 8-cyl
Engine300 hp3.7L 6-cyl

Trims

I4 CoupeI4 ConvertibleGT CoupeV6 CoupeV6 Convertible

Built in: Flat Rock, Michigan

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2016 Mustang configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
GT 2dr Convertible RWD188.2 in75.6 in54.7 in107.1 in62.6 / 65 in3,871 lb54/46
GT 2dr Coupe RWD188.2 in75.6 in54.3 in107.1 in62.2 / 65 in3,706 lb54/46
V6/Ecoboost 2dr Convertible RWD188.2 in75.6 in54.7 in107.1 in62.6 / 65 in3,693 lb52/48
V6/Ecoboost 2dr Coupe RWD188.2 in75.6 in54.3 in107.1 in62.2 / 65 in3,523 lb52/48

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Mustang2.3L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25+5%$2,700352
Mustang2.3L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive21 / 31 / 25+5%$2,700356
Mustang Convertible2.3L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive20 / 29 / 23-3%$2,900378
Mustang3.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22-7%$3,050410
Mustang3.7L 6-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive17 / 28 / 21-11%$3,200427
Mustang5.0L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive16 / 25 / 19-20%$3,550470
Mustang5.0L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 25 / 19-20%$3,550480
Mustang Convertible5.0L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive15 / 23 / 18-24%$3,700489
Shelby GT350 Mustang5.2L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 21 / 16-32%$5,150539
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.7 MPG2016 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2016 Ford Mustang C RWDNot ratedNot rated–★ / –★Not ratedNot rated★★★★★8.1%
2016 Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★8.1%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
Not availableLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2016 Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD
Frontal crash test — 2016 Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2016 Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD
Side crash test — 2016 Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2016 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Ford Mustang (this car)25 MPG★★★★★5
2016 Honda Accord30 MPGNot rated4
2016 Toyota Camry40 MPG★★★★★3
2016 Chevrolet Camaro25 MPGNot rated1
2016 Nissan GT-R19 MPGNot rated1
2016 Dodge Challenger23 MPG★★★★★1
2016 Volkswagen Passat29 MPG★★★★★5

Recalls (5)

Seat Belts › Pretensioner · Sep 12, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V614000 · 332,778 vehicles

Problem
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.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Sep 3, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V572000 · 1,456,417 vehicles

Problem
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.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Feb 16, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V082000 · 330,784 vehicles

Problem
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings · Oct 26, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V779000 · 6,582 vehicles

Problem
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.
Child Seat › Tether › Connector/Clip · Oct 26, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V707000 · 1,900 vehicles

Problem
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Ford Mustang is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

380Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
13Involved a crash
7Involved a fire
11Injuries reported
35,600 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine76
Electrical System70
Unknown Or Other70
Back Over Prevention31
Power Train29
Structure › Body22
Fuel/Propulsion System20
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch19
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/05: 424/06: 424/07: 524/09: 324/10: 624/11: 524/12: 325/01: 125/02: 425/03: 225/04: 325/07: 625/08: 625/09: 225/10: 125/12: 226/01: 426/02: 526/03: 326/06: 426/07: 226/08: 426/09: 526/10: 224/0524/0924/1225/0325/0825/1226/0326/08max 6

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Ford Mustang buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 76 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Electrical System — 70 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Back Over Prevention — 31 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 35,600 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Ford Mustang. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Mustang years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Mustang26189.4 inNot rated58
2025 Mustang26189.4 in★★★★★619
2024 Mustang26189.4 in★★★★★1284
2023 Mustang25188.2 inNot rated615
2022 Mustang25188.2 in★★★★★950
2021 Mustang25188.2 in★★★★★655
2020 Mustang25188.2 in★★★★★8121
2019 Mustang25188.2 in★★★★★6151
2018 Mustang25188.2 in★★★★★3196
2017 Mustang24188.2 in★★★★★6268
2015 Mustang25188.2 in★★★★★11438
2014 Mustang23188.2 in★★★★★3335

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →