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2016 Ford Mustang

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Mustang.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2016 Ford Mustang is a passenger car that uses a 6.0‑quart oil system filled with 5W‑20 viscosity fluid. It logged 367 owner complaints, with the engine being the most reported issue, and was subject to five recalls. Compared with the model’s complaint history spanning 1990‑2026, the 2016 year sits well below the peak of 868 complaints in 2005 but far above the record low of four in 2026, indicating a middling reliability profile.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96R · 590 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 96R · 590 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size235/55R17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim8.0, 8.5, PERFORMANCE PKG: 9.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	188.2 in
Overall width	75.6 in
Overall height	54.7 in
Wheelbase	107.1 in
Curb weight	3871 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 65 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	54/46

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Mustang of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.9–6.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.90 sec — 2016 Shelby GT350R Fastback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2016	Shelby GT350R Fastback 5.2L V8	3.90 sec	12.20 sec	526 hp	RWD
2016	Shelby GT350R Fastback 5.2L V8	3.90 sec	12.10 sec	526 hp	RWD
2016	Shelby GT350R Fastback 5.2L V8	4.00 sec	12.20 sec	526 hp	RWD
2016	Shelby GT350R Fastback 5.2L V8	4.00 sec	12.30 sec	526 hp	RWD
2016	Shelby GT350R Fastback 5.2L V8	4.00 sec	12.30 sec	526 hp	RWD
2016	Shelby GT350 Fastback 5.2L V8	4.10 sec	12.40 sec	526 hp	RWD
2016	GT Premium Fastback 5.0L V8	4.30 sec	12.90 sec	435 hp	RWD
2016	Shelby GT350 Fastback 5.2L V8	4.30 sec	12.50 sec	526 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	11.5-12.0
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Clutch Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.0-4.0
Engine Coolant Capacity	9.5 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity	12.4 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity	15.2 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14.7
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	Install new studs: 30 ft/lbs.
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	Install new studs: 18 ft/lbs; 2nd step:
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	21.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission	76.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts	59.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	Install a new nut and torque to 251.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4
Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	.029 in
Spark Plug Torque	9 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.30-1.50 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	3.40-4.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	96R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	590 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	96R

Service checks

Pressure Test	21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176-183 °F
Pressure Test	21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	183-190 °F
Pressure Test	21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	21 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 25; Rear: 24 /
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 85; Rear: 76 /
ABS Sensor Torque	7.0 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness	Rear: 0.118 in
Solid Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Rear: Solid Disc: .390
Maximum Rotor Runout	.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

1	5.17 ft. lbs.	5.17 ft. lbs
2	11.0 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
3	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees	90 degrees
5	90 degrees	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil. · Bolts 1-8

1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	26.0 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
3	90 degrees	90 degrees
4	90 degrees	90 degrees
5	45 degrees; Bolt 9	45 degrees
1	7.4 ft. lbs.	7.4 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

1	18.0 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
2	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
3	90 degrees	90 degrees
4	90 degrees	90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Ford Mustang recorded 367 complaints and 5 recalls, representing a decrease in complaints from the 434 reported for the 2015 model. Within the broader generation trend starting in 2015, the 2016 model sits at the beginning of a steady, multi-year decline in overall complaints. However, technical service bulletins rose to 167 for this year, an increase over the 145 recorded in 2015. Primary complaint areas included the engine (51) and "Unknown Or Other" (40), though the data does not specify the root causes for these reports. With 13 crash and 6 fire complaints, the safety record is moderate relative to the surrounding years. Because it shows improved stability over the 2015 model and maintains a low recall count, this is a good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

167

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

367

Owner complaints

13 involved a crash · 6 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15’16’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 367 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine51

Unknown Or Other40

Back Over Prevention37

Electrical System32

Power Train20

Latches/Locks/Linkages12

Structure11

Air Bags11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V707000Seat BeltsReported 26/10/2015

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… Remedy: 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…

16V779000Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/FittingsReported 26/10/2016

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. Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 167 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
25N15 S1	2026-04-20	Electrical System	Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple…
SSM 54601	2026-02-23	Electrical System	Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
25N15	2026-01-05	Visibility/Wiper	Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For…
25N15	2025-12-22	Unknown Or Other	Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For…
TSB 25-2570	2025-11-26	Electrical System	This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Mustang. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 96R battery Vehicles taking 6.0 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2016 Mustang take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C946-A or equivalent., per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 Mustang have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.