2016 Ford Mustang · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 34owner reports
- 78,000median miles
- $4,000median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 17, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
163 of the 378 complaints on this car are about the engine. 34 of those describe misfire.
Tick what matches of 34 reports
Misfire on other Mustang years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ignition coils (5 reports) and the spark plugs (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
A hose may separate from the engine oil cooler tube assembly causing an oil leak.
All 5 recalls on the 2016 Ford Mustang, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Mustang
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head. Closed jan 4, 2006.
Fires in the center console. Closed jul 27, 1999.
Stalling. Closed jan 21, 1988.
None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.
What owners paid
7 of the 34 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 46,000 and 103,000 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 9 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Ford Mustang that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
Some 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit an oil leak from either valve cover gasket. This may be due to the number of fasteners used to hold the valve cover onto the cylinder head.
Some 2013-2019 vehicles equipped with a EVDC air conditioning (A/C) compressor may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function and/or a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P06A0 in the powertrain control module (PCM).
5 more on the 2016 Ford Mustang page.
What owners wrote
“Brought the car in for service. The tech called me back and said the engine was blown. Condensation in cylinder 3. This was due to the cylinder walls being engineered to small. Which caused a leak in the coolant jacket. I paid out of pocket nearly $10,000 to have it replaced because the third party warranty that I had purchased declined my coverage to fix it because itâs a known issue by ford. Bc”
Filed Sep 3, 2026
“The head gasket in my 2016 mustang eco boost failed. I have 126k miles and coolant is leaking into cylinder 2. Iâve always taken care of the maintenance on a timely matter and no modifications have been done.”
Filed Jan 28, 2026 · 126,000 miles
“2016 Ford Mustang 2.3L Ecoboost Engine. Coolant intrusion into the cylinder. It's a known issue, an engine block design flaw. Ford was replacing the whole engine when those cars were under warranty. There is extensive content online about it and dozens of class actions.”
Filed Jan 8, 2026
“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. Vehicle was inspected by ford dealership and found to have blown head gasket. The car is vat for inspection.”
Filed Aug 29, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 34 reports involved a crash and 3 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 68 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 42 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 36 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 31 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 29 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 26 reports