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

- 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
Trims
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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GT 2dr Convertible RWD | 188.2 in | 75.6 in | 54.7 in | 107.1 in | 62.6 / 65 in | 3,871 lb | 54/46 |
| GT 2dr Coupe RWD | 188.2 in | 75.6 in | 54.3 in | 107.1 in | 62.2 / 65 in | 3,706 lb | 54/46 |
| V6/Ecoboost 2dr Convertible RWD | 188.2 in | 75.6 in | 54.7 in | 107.1 in | 62.6 / 65 in | 3,693 lb | 52/48 |
| V6/Ecoboost 2dr Coupe RWD | 188.2 in | 75.6 in | 54.3 in | 107.1 in | 62.2 / 65 in | 3,523 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mustang | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 / 31 / 25 | +5% | $2,700 | 352 |
| Mustang | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | +5% | $2,700 | 356 |
| Mustang Convertible | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | -3% | $2,900 | 378 |
| Mustang | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -7% | $3,050 | 410 |
| Mustang | 3.7L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 28 / 21 | -11% | $3,200 | 427 |
| Mustang | 5.0L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | -20% | $3,550 | 470 |
| Mustang | 5.0L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 25 / 19 | -20% | $3,550 | 480 |
| Mustang Convertible | 5.0L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | -24% | $3,700 | 489 |
| Shelby GT350 Mustang | 5.2L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 21 / 16 | -32% | $5,150 | 539 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Ford Mustang C RWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 8.1% |
| 2016 Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 8.1% |


Similar 2016 subcompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Ford Mustang (this car) | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2016 Honda Accord | 30 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2016 Toyota Camry | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2016 Chevrolet Camaro | 25 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2016 Nissan GT-R | 19 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2016 Dodge Challenger | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2016 Volkswagen Passat | 29 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 driverâs 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.
Not every 2016 Ford Mustang is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Ford Mustang buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 76 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 70 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Back Over Prevention — 31 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 35,600 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Mustang | 26 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 8 |
| 2025 Mustang | 26 | 189.4 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 19 |
| 2024 Mustang | 26 | 189.4 in | ★★★★★ | 12 | 84 |
| 2023 Mustang | 25 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 15 |
| 2022 Mustang | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 9 | 50 |
| 2021 Mustang | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 55 |
| 2020 Mustang | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 121 |
| 2019 Mustang | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 151 |
| 2018 Mustang | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 196 |
| 2017 Mustang | 24 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 268 |
| 2015 Mustang | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 11 | 438 |
| 2014 Mustang | 23 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 335 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →