Diagsheet

2016 Ford Mustang · symptom sheet

Doors, latches or locks fail

  • 30owner reports
  • 55,000median miles
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Mar 20, 2024 · checked Sep 19, 2026

42 of the 375 complaints on this car are about the structure. 30 of those describe door latch.

Tick what matches of 30 reports

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25
19
9

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the latch (24 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the structure covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 19, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the structure on the Mustang

RQ19-005opened Dec 19, 2019
Latches/Locks/Linkages · model years 2015

Door latch failures. Closed feb 7, 2022, led to recall 20V-177.

NHTSA summary
In December 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 235 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (MY) 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta, and 2013-2014 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. Some VOQs reported the failure occurred after the latch had been remedied under a prior recall which involved fracture of the latch pawl spring tab due to thermally induced cyclic fatigue. Other VOQs alleged a similar failure in vehicles not previously recalled. A latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a ?door will not close? condition, however in certain somewhat rare circumstances, may result in the door coming open while driving. In response to ODI?s investigation, Ford has announced three field actions, as discussed below.On March 23, 2020, Ford submitted Safety Recall 20V-177 (Ford 20S15), a regional recall campaign to address door latch failures in vehicles not previously recalled under Safety Recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 and 17V-210. The recall affects vehicles currently or ever registered in certain high ambient temperature states (see 20V-177 for affected states). As a remedy, Ford will replace all four door latches free of charge.On August 24, 2020, Ford issued a non-safety regional field action (Ford 20R01) to address door latch failures on the same model/MY vehicles not covered under 20V-177 (i.e., not currently/ever registered in affected states). Ac
PE16-001opened Jan 16, 2016
Latches/Locks/Linkages · model years 2015

Door latch failure. Closed oct 29, 2016, led to recall 16V-643.

NHTSA summary
In January, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation based on consumers' allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (MY) 2012-2013 Ford Focus vehicles (subject vehicles).ODI has received 464 unique reports related to the alleged problem, with over 200 claiming that the door(s) opened inadvertently while the vehicle was in motion.One consumer alleged an injury that occurred while driving when a door inadvertently opened and then closed on a child's arm.Another alleged that a door that inadvertently opened struck a parked vehicle.In response to ODI's information request, Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 500 unique reports related to the alleged problem on the subject vehicles.Ford reported no injury or accident claims.Ford also submitted 1,513 warranty claims related to door latch failures.Many customers indicated that the affected door could not be latched at all and some of them decided to restrain the door by other means in order to operate the vehicle.Some customers also reported door latch failures occurring on multiple doors and at different times.Additionally, Ford stated that MY 2014-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape, 2013-2015 Ford C-Max, 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect, 2015 Ford Mustang, and 2015 Lincoln MKC, all use the same door latch as the 2012-2013 Ford Focus.On September 6, 2016, Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (16V-643) to remedy the door latches in the MY 2

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 47,000 and 72,000 miles, from the 20 reports that gave a mileage.

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124

What owners wrote

“My door latches fail to secure door and it went open while the vehicle was being driven. It happened in a long distance trip around 6-8 times. Both driver and passenger doors were opening while driving on the high speed.”

Filed Aug 2, 2023

“While driving on route 95 the passenger door became unlatched. This happened several times (4~6 ?) on our long (12 hr) drive. I researched and saw that there was a recall for this exact problem for 2015 Mustangs, but none for 2016. I have seen multiple reports from other 2016 Mustang owners that they have encountered the same issue.”

Filed Apr 10, 2023

“Many times, the passenger door has unlocked and opened while the vehicle was in motion. The door ajar light will come on and it happens without warning at various speeds. I am the original owner and the car has approximately 28,000 miles.”

Filed Jan 19, 2022 · 28,000 miles

“Passenger door opens randomly while driving at highway speeds. Lights come on door unlatched and opens. Even when no one is in the passenger seat.”

Filed Jul 8, 2021

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 30 reports involved a crash. 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.

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