general problems of the 2016 Ford Mustang - part 1

61 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2016 Ford Mustang. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2016 Ford Mustang based on all problems reported for the 2016 Mustang.

1 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/31/2026

There have been 3 instances within the last year and a half where the rear window of my vehicle (Ford Mustang) and the rear window of family member Ford Mustang both have shattered during the extreme cold possibly due to the heating coils on the window over heating and burning. You can see a burn pattern in the window this is a safety issue due to the window shattering, it sounded as if someone shot my window out the first time it happened my [xxx] son was in the back of the vehicle and I was driving home. The second instance, same vehicle, started the car using the remote starter and it did the same thing. This has not been inspected by my insurance representative, it has been reported in both instances through my insurance and pictures have been taken. There have been no warning signs or even issues, there wiring look like it had been burned, melted information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

2 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/09/2025

• what failed & is it available for inspection? air-conditioning system failure. Loss of cabin cooling; dealer recommends compressor replacement (may include related components pending contamination check). Vehicle is at a Ford dealer now; no repairs performed yet. I requested the dealer retain failed parts for inspection. • how was safety put at risk? I live in las vegas; ambient temps ~112°f-120 degrees. This is my primary vehicle for transporting my [xxx] and for my work schedule. With no a/c, cabin temps become dangerously high within minutes, creating a heat-related illness risk (child and driver), impaired concentration, and fatigue during necessary trips. • has the problem been reproduced/confirmed? yes. An independent shop first advised compressor replacement. A Ford dealer subsequently confirmed loss of cooling and produced an a/c repair estimate after diagnosis. • inspected by manufacturer/police/insurance? inspected/diagnosed by an authorized Ford dealer. I opened a Ford customer relationship center case (xxx) and requested goodwill/after-warranty review. No police/insurance inspection. • warning lamps/messages/symptoms & onset? no warning lights. Symptoms began with weak/intermittent cooling in early August 2025 and progressed to no cold air. Mileage at failure ~87,279. A/c clutch cycles but cabin air remains hot. (owner context: original owner, [xxx] vehicle: 2016 Ford Mustang gt 5. 0. ) information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

3 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/30/2025

Took car to dealership per recall. Touch screen flickering on and off. Can't depend on back up camera. According to dealer "recall 22a06a was previously completed on TSB 19-2273. And no other repairs were neede at this time. Note, sync mytouch screen is blinking on and off at all times and recommend diag. " they replaced apin and screen. According to the repair bill. It was still flickering and replaced fdcin. Screen no longer flickering. It seems to me this is a safety hazard as it affects the viewing of the back up camera with any accuracy and could cause an accident no matter how careful a person is. It also seems to me that Ford knew extra parts my be needed to rectify the situation they should have been included in the orginal recall.

4 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/13/2025

Display screen went out after first back up, camera recall. Camera is fixed under the recall by the dealership shortly after the display screen was intermittently going out until the screen became completely black.

5 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/05/2025

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the a/c unit became inoperative on the driver's side of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the evaporator core was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

6 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/30/2024

Smoke came up from under both seats within a few weeks of each other, found burned harness and plug at both heated/ cooled seat control modules mounted under seats. Researched and found a fix that will cost hundreds of $$ per seat but no recalls. I would think smoke and burning electrical in the interior of nearly all Ford products with heated/ cooled seats would be a safety recall?.

7 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/15/2024

Back up camera working intermittently. If I shake the wires in the trunk it will work. I purchased this car in November and immediately received a recall notice from Ford for the back up camera. I scheduled the car in for the recall and dropped it off to be repaired. I was notified from the dealer that the car was ready to go and picked it up. Immediately I noticed that the camera was still not working. The dealer said that the recall was to check and see if the recall was completed. (does that really make any sense?). They said another dealer had completed the recall so their work was done. So I have a car that had a recall but now it does not as they say they have completed it but in reality, the original recall item is still not working.

8 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/15/2024

I had a back up camera recall done, and several months later, the exact same problems happened. Exactly the same symptoms and results. When shifting into reverse, the camera, in more than 50% of the time, the camera fails, just like before the first recall. The dealer says one fix per recall, and if I want it fixed now, it will be $400. It is a defect and should be fixed properly, not the sloppy fix done previously.

9 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/13/2024

Backup camera fails after recall repair is performed.

10 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/02/2024

Windows started fogging up when driving. Turned on ac to resolve and no cold air came out resulting a dangerous driving condition trying to see through condensation. Took vehicle to the dealer and found the cause was yet another leaking ac evaporator coil as several others have reported. Concerning to know there were toxic chemicals leaking in the vehicle. Dealer quoted at $3,000 to replace. Ford has changed manufacturers of this part due to widespread failure of the original equipment. Why is it on the vehicle owners to pay and replace this known faulty part which causes a safety issue?.

11 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/25/2024

Attempted to start the vehicle and heard some sort of noise and nothing happened. Vehicle engine would not turned over or attempt to start. Received a message on the display stating steering lock malfunction. Service now. I found a response from the NHTSA stating how to correct the issue. This only applied to the 2020 model. However, this corrected my issue.

12 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/03/2024

Back up camera recall was unresolved by previous owner. I’ve tried fixing the issue myself but cannot find it. The camera displays blue and black screens while in reverse.

13 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/27/2024

Rear back up camera malfunction (not detected). Vehicle is available for inspection. Safety put at risk, because unable to see the rear that is meant to be covered by the camera. Can cause an accident. Issue has been confirmed via dealer that is a recall under Ford. Ford notice states harness and camera covered to be replaced. Went to Ford dealer, states harness replaced and working. Now camera does not work at all. Went to Ford again, they replaced the harness, but state camera is not covered by recall. Inspected by Ford. No warning messages, just message that camera is not available now.

14 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/13/2023

The heated/ventilated seats motherboard and wiring is under the passenger seat. There is a connector for the ground plug in that is burnt (would be better if you can send a picture of what I am talking about). Went to Ford about it and they were going to charge me $600 to have it fixed. I don’t have that much to fix it right now, so now I am worried about a fire starting in my car because of that connector. I checked online and many other Mustang owners (15-17 Mustang models) complained about the same issue. Would like to see about a recall about this.

15 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/04/2023

When putting my vehicle in reverse, the backup camera cuts out and completely doesn’t work, or the image is staticky and unclear. This problem is currently covered under a recall on the backup camera, but after taking my vehicle to a dealer, I was notified that the recall only impacts vehicle’s manufactured during a few months of the year. Because my car was manufactured later in the year, it is not included in the recall, even though I am having the exact issue.

16 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/26/2023

While driving at 65mph with both heated seats on, I noticed a burning smell in the cabin. I assumed this was from an external source, but was prepared to pull over on the highway if I saw smoke, which I did not. The following day, I noticed the heated seats of my vehicle no longer worked, although the lights indicate they were on without any issue (implying power was still being supplied). I searched google to determine if this is common, and to my disappointment, it seems that a number of Ford vehicles fitted with heated seats have suffered the same failure: the power connector to the module controlling seat heating/ventilation had melted. I first checked the 30a fuses in my vehicle to see if they had blown, and confirmed they had not. I safely unplugged the affected cable on my vehicle from the seat, which required pliers because it was melted to the connector, only to confirm that my power connector had melted. I have identified that fixing this issue requires replacing the wiring harness, this can be done at home for $100 but should be done by an auto electrician. Ford appear to be quoting $700-$1100 for the same fix, encouraging individuals to undertake the work themselves without the expertise to do so. Had the scarf that was in my passenger foot well been near the connector, it's entirely plausible that this issue would have caused a fire in my vehicle and put mine and others life at risk while I was driving at highway speeds. I will make my vehicle available for assessment to the manufacturer and interested parties, and keep the cable disconnected until it is replaced. I will not pay for this repair given the issue is something that should not be a problem in the first place, and that is not expected to be part of a vehicles regular maintenance.

17 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/22/2022

Noticed seat heaters stopped working then noticed a smell coming from passenger seat. Found harness that plugs into the seat heater control module was melted.

18 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/30/2022

I took my vehicle into the dealership 11/30/2022 due to the rearview camera initially malfunctioning and becoming blurry, or completely cutting out, when putting my vehicle in reverse. I informed them I did receive a email thru my carfax notification and by mail regarding a recall. The dealership kept my vehicle for several weeks for repair and stated it was covered under the recall. The issue persisted and I sent a message to the service center but never received a response back. I continued to receive responses about trading in my vehicle and purchasing a new car. I dropped my vehicle off at the dealership on 9/1/2023 and explained the issue again. The service dept stated my I would be charged $150 for a diagnostic test and if it was an issue with the internal camera it would not be covered under the recall warranty. I immediately began to feel they would later contact me and tell me it would not be covered because that is how the conversation began. The dealership contacted me and stated it was an internal problem with the camera and not covered under the recall. It will cost me $732 if I would like to have the camera repaired. I contacted the manufacturer regarding the recall warranty, and confirmed it was 12 months or 12000 miles, whichever is sooner and my vehicle remained within the recall warranty. My issue was escalated with a supervisor and I was to receive a call back the next day from the manufacturer between 10am-7pm cst, but I never did. My vehicle's camera has not been repaired.

19 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/13/2022

Hi there, I believe there is a recall currently on Mustangs for the rear view camera not working. I checked my VIN number as my car has the same issue, but it doesn't show at a recall, I'd like understand why this is as the issue is on the same model, and year. I live in the uk, and this same issue happened with my car that was made in us, so I'd like to know if my car was in the us would it have been recalled regarding this rear camera recall. As the cars in the uk aren't and I just want to understand my options with Ford. I know this is a strange request, but would appreciate your steer on this.

20 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/13/2022

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the windows inadvertently rolled down without warning or driver input. The contact stated that it had previously rained and there was water inside the vehicle due to the failure. Additionally, the battery was drained and the vehicle had to be jump started. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

21 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2022

Evaporator kit has gone out, which causes the inability to defog the windows. During this last summer (2022), I regularly had to deal with 100+ degree weather, and during heavy rainstorms, just had to pull off the road and manually wipe down the window, which only increased visibility by about 50%.

22 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/19/2022

Who investigates and enforces in your agency chapter 301 title 49 of the united states code concerning vehicle 3rd brake light harness wiring failed state inspection due to safety issue? contacted wynne Ford dealership per Ford motors representative to have wynne submit the paper work on amount charged and date of repair. I contacted wynne three times and I have not received a response to my request. Request your assistance or pass on my fequest to the proper agency.

23 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/18/2022

The center console would go out cant push any buttons. Also causing brake light to stay illuminated or off while driving and not work correclty. Big safety issue. No hvac funciton either when this happens. Cannot reset. Even after unplugging battery for a while. Does the same thing hit or miss.

24 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/16/2022

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v08200 ( back over prevention ) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts distribution disconnect.

25 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/11/2022

25 mph mild frontal collision caused a fire to start in the door panel as identified by the driver and the fire dept. The fire caused a majority of the cabin to burn and the vehicle to become a total loss in under a minute. Front airbags deployed but not side airbags. Electrical system in left door possibly malfunctioned causing a fire, evident by the fire reigniting every time the fire fighter ceased using the fire extinguisher. Driver was right next to the damaged electrical and was almost hurt by the fire, almost resulting in severe burns or death to the driver had they not escaped the cabin a few seconds before ignition. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure.

26 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2021

Around September of 2021 the backup camera on my 2016 Ford Mustang convertible began to fail to show a viewable image. . Read more...

27 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/14/2021

Random smell of burning electrical wiring soo strong I thought the car was catching fire, I had to pull over and check for smoke but didn’t find any. A few days later I realized the heated seats stopped working… did some research and found the plug connector underneath the passenger seat melted.

28 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/03/2021

Approximately 31,000 miles but warranty has expired due to lapse of time - he a/c has failed due to what the dealership called a known issue; however, even though mileage would still be under warranty because the car is greater than 3 years old they will not cover this costly repair.

29 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2021

Heated and cooled seats stopped working. I checked some forums and found out it was a very common problem. This pin for the ground on the wire assembly that controls the seat is the only one, and it is common for it to completely burn out as seen in the picture. As it's in the cabin, underneath the passenger seat, it is very dangerous for it to be burning this way.

30 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/12/2021

The rear camera has gone off and on for months now it does not work at all. . The dealership has told me there have been many with this problem the harness in the trunk goes up and down with the opening and closing of the trunk creating strain on the wires causing camera failure. . Dealership wants 1000 to fix this and my car has 32000 miles on it the emergency break sticks because the sleving around it gets stuck not allowing the release of the break.

31 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/05/2021

My backup camera, gps, and satellite radio lost connection. I could not see behind me or find my location. The wiring harness going to the trunk stopped working. Dealership told me it was due to a “faulty design from the factory” and that it was from “opening and closing the trunk too much. ” they replaced it, forced me to pay nearly $600, and told me to keep my receipts in case it ever becomes a recall. Not sure if this applies to every model or just the convertibles. I still see glitches periodically even with the new one.

32 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/03/2021

I smelled a burning smell when turning on seat heater. Seat heater no longer provides heat, but indicator switch light up as if heater should be on. The burning could have led to fire in passenger compartment of vehicle. I have not taken the vehicle in to have this serviced. I inspected the wiring harness and the “m” pin is clearly burnt (I have photos). There were no warning lights. I can press switch to turn on seat heater and the lights turn on as if the seat heater were working, but no heat.

33 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/29/2021

Burned electrical connecter controlling front seat heating and cooling. The following is from the repair work order: #1 91mbzs seats internal guest states havc for front seats not getting cold or hot burn connector going to the hvac control unit under the front passenger seat. I started off my checking power to the hvac module to see if there was a short before the control unit. I removed the seat and hvac module to clean the pins on it that were affected by the connector. After that I replaced seat harness that goes to the hvac control module. I then put the seat back in and cleared the codes. Both the heated and air conditioned function of the driver and passenger seat work. Qty part number description unit total 1 mbeu5z14a699c wire assy internal total parts: 0. 00.

34 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/18/2020

The heated and air conditioned seats stopped working although the dash indicator shows that it is on. A search of the internet shows that it is a very common problem on 2015-2016 Mustang models. The connector under the passenger seat shows a severely burned connection as indicated in the attached photo. This appears to be a very serious and potentially dangerous problem that needs to be addressed via a recall.

35 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/08/2020

While coming to a stop with the clutch pressed in the car will randomly turn off intermittently. This has now just began happening, although it has now happened to me twice in 1 months time. I have also been reading on s550 Mustang forums (years 2015 - present) that I am not the only one experiencing this. It seems like an electrical issue or something as there are people with completely stock cars that are affected by this, and also people with 2018+ newer Mustangs as well.



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