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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,921 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Ford Mustang electrical problems

electrical problem

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2016 Ford Mustang Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #51

Jan 262023

Mustang

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #50

Dec 222022

Mustang

  • miles
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.

- Marshfield, MO, USA

problem #49

Jun 012022

Mustang

  • miles
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%.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #48

Aug 132022

Mustang

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Warwick, NJ, USA

problem #47

Feb 162022

Mustang

  • miles
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.

- Vineland, NJ, USA

problem #46

Oct 132021

Mustang

  • miles
Ford Motor Company and the NHTSA issued a recall on 2/15/2022 on my 2016 Ford Mustang model vehicle a few months ago. It was "Back over prevention: sensing system: camera". Recall no. 22V082000. Also, Recall Number: 22S06 DECKLID WIRING UNIVERSAL CAMERA FRETTING CORROSION. Ford sent me a letter on 2/17/2022 alerting me of the recall indicating that a resolution to this issue would come about early in the second quarter of 2022. It feels like we're now approaching quarter 3 of the year and I have yet to be notified of repairs and my rear view camera is now completely not functioning at ALL. When I've searched recently for this recall, there is no longer any more information on the Ford website, nor the NHTSA website. I find that completely bizarre. I'd love to car the proper repairs immediately being that Ford guaranteed that it would be repaired accordingly to resolve the recall issue. Can you please look into why this recall has disappeared from your website, from Ford's database, and please help me get my car repaired>

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #45

Jun 132022

Mustang

  • 73,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Danville, PA, USA

problem #44

Mar 182022

Mustang

  • miles
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.

- Claremont, NC, USA

problem #43

Mar 242020

Mustang

  • miles
United States Code Chapter 301 Title 49 Chapter 9. Duty to Notify Owners and Dealers and Provide a Remedy for a Noncompliance or a Safety-Related Defect Regardless of whether the noncompliance with an FMVSS or a safety-related defect is determined to exist by the manufacturer or by NHTSA, the manufacturer must provide owners and dealers of the affected products with notification of the noncompliance or defect and must remedy the noncompliance or defect, usually without charge. 45 The notification and remedy process is commonly referred to as a -€œsafety recall campaign-€ or more simply as a -€œrecall.-€ NHTSA monitors the remedy program to ensure its successful completion. The agency is not authorized to expend its funds on recalls; the expense of notifying owners and providing a remedy must be borne by the fabricating manufacturer and/or importer of the products found to contain the noncompliance or 46 Manufacturers are encouraged to contact NHTSA at 202-366-5210 or review the agency-€™s web site for defect. Several complaints have been associated with this 3rd brake light harness defect which causes this safety item to fail State Inspection. NTSA needs to conduct a analysis and hold the manufacturer accountable to remedy this safety defect IAW this Code. I have contacted Wynne Ford and Ford Motor Company with my concern without any satisfaction.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #42

May 192022

Mustang

  • miles
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.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #41

Mar 042020

Mustang

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

NSTB could not help me because they said it is individual dispute. This is not an individual dispute. It comes under the Code reference below! I summited numerous complaints to NSTB on this matter. I did contact Ford Manufacturer who advised me to contact Wynne Ford to summit the paper work. Two weeks has elapsed and Wynne Ford has not summited the paper work. Request You have someone in your organization investigate the issue and get in touch with Wynne Ford or Ford Manufacturer since it comes under United States Code Chapter 301 Title 49! Your NHTSA representative made me aware of this Code and stated someone in your organization would investigate this matter. No one in this organization has investigated this matter or contacted them. A failed 3rd Brake light harness (Safety Hazard) caused my vehicle to fail State Inspection.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #40

Mar 072020

Mustang 4-cyl

  • miles
Two wiring harness went bad one stated below and the other a back up camera harness which cause safety hazards. a I spoke with Ford Motor Representative reference the issue below and she informed me that the Dealership needs to submit the paper work. I Contacted Wynne Ford,1020 W Mercury Blvd, Hampton, VA 23666, 757-838-3673, three times to send the necessary paper work to Ford Motor Company for reimbursement of approximately $278 I paid in March 2020 to replace the 3rd brake light harness. This failed harness caused my vehicle to fail the State Safety Inspection. I had only one return call from [XXX], Service Department Representative, I asked her Dealership to send the paper work to Ford Motor Company. Still I have not received any response from them if they sent the paper work. I informed [XXX] to include in the paper work Chapter 301 of Title 49 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) which requires a manufacturer of motor vehicles or items of motor vehicle equipment that contain a defect relating to motor vehicle safety to remedy the defect without charge. I request you reach out to Wynne Ford on my behalf. -----Original Message----- From: NHTSA Service Desk To: [XXX] Sent: Fri, Apr 15, 2022 10:04 am Subject: Request #505645 RECALL INQUIRY 2016 FORD MUSTANG INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #39

Feb 162020

Mustang

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for inspection and the local dealer diagnosed that the third backup light and harness were defective. There were no warning lights on the instrument panel prior to the inspection. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was uncertain if the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #38

Feb 032021

Mustang

  • miles
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 -€œM-€ 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.

- Bishop, CA, USA

problem #37

Feb 112022

Mustang

  • miles
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.

- Rodeo, CA, USA

problem #36

Sep 012021

Mustang

  • miles
Around September of 2021 the backup camera on my 2016 Ford Mustang convertible began to fail to show a viewable image. After visiting a dealer who wanted $500 to replace the camera, I watched this video from a Ford Master Mechanic to realize my problem (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Onbo8PgrY). Upon examination, I discovered that there were two zip ties, one in the trunk and the other at the body, severely restraining the free movement of the wiring as the trunk open/close. I clipped those zip ties and then carefully opened the wiring cover at the junction of the trunk and body. Several of the wires in the harness, including a coaxial cable, showed stripping of the wire's plastic cover and wire damage from the severe constraint caused by the tie's compression. This is clearly a factory manufacturing error and should be recalled for replacement or repair.

- Fox Lake, IL, USA

problem #35

Feb 052021

Mustang

  • miles
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 -€œfaulty design from the factory-€ and that it was from -€œopening 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.

- Shepherdsville, KY, USA

problem #34

Mar 152021

Mustang

  • miles
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.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #33

Feb 122021

Mustang

  • 32,000 miles
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

- Crystal River, FL, USA

problem #32

Dec 182020

Mustang 4-cyl

  • 64,000 miles
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.

- Stafford, VA, USA

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