2016 Ford Mustang · symptom sheet
Doors, latches or locks fail
- 31owner reports
- 55,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 18, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
43 of the 378 complaints on this car are about the structure. 31 of those describe door latch.
Tick what matches of 31 reports
Door latch 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, 2018, 2019, 2020.
What this problem usually is
Door complaints sound minor until you read them. The most common is a "door ajar" warning with every door shut. Others describe a door that won't open from inside, one that won't latch at all, locks that cycle on their own, and occasionally a door that opened while the car was moving.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the latch (25 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the structure covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the structure on the Mustang
Door latch failures. Closed feb 7, 2022, led to recall 20V-177.
Door latch failure. Closed oct 29, 2016, led to recall 16V-643.
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.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice 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.
Certain 2015 ¢ 2021 Model Year Mustang Convertible Vehicles Door Opens to Secondary Latch Position n some of the affected vehicles, a front door latch may open to the secondary latched position while driving.
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 31 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
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
- Check engine light or misfire 34 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 29 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 26 reports