2016 Ford Mustang Interior & seats Problems

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH with his daughter inside the vehicle, the driver’s and passenger’s side doors opened unexpectedly. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the contact declined to pay the cost for the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the failure had occurred approximately twelve times with the driver’s side door. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 108,787.

NHTSA ID

11755474

Incident

Nov 15, 2025

Mileage

108,787 mi

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?

NHTSA ID

11628058

Incident

Nov 30, 2024

Heated and cool seats stopped working after a bit of investigating i saw the ground wire for the module under the passenger seat had melted and could cause a fire. No warning lights or anything.

NHTSA ID

11581254

Incident

Apr 4, 2024

While driving the doors will open to the secondary latch.

NHTSA ID

11550871

Incident

Oct 15, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the driver’s side door latch mechanism malfunctioned, causing the door to unintendedly open. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ID

11540733

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

Mileage

95,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V082000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the backup camera had failed, and the trunk failed to open as needed. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11509967

Incident

Feb 16, 2022

Mileage

50,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11504217

Incident

Jan 26, 2023

While on a road trip and driving aprx 70 MPH, the passenger door released to the secondary latch position and the "Passenger Door Ajar" light came on. After stopping and opening and closing (and locking) the door, the light went off. However, later it released again. The driver side door also released in the same manor. There were four occasions of this happening. After returning home, I did some research and found Ford's Customer Satisfaction Program 21N10 dated 12-15-2021, which states criteria in which my vehicle falls (Mustang, model year, assembly plant, build dates). I contacted my dealership and was told that my vehicle's VIN was not included in their "OASIS" VIN report, and that they would not honor the terms of the program.

NHTSA ID

11504016

Incident

May 13, 2022

The passenger door of my 2016 Mustang Convertible keeps opening to the secondary latch while driving. This has happened multiple times, always while driving at a high speed (70 mph+) on the interstate. It is very frightening to hear wind noise and see a "door ajar" warning on the dash while driving at a high speed, and then have to attempt to find a safe place to pull over to open & close the door so it's fully latched. I've found a recall notice on Ford's website. Both my local Ford dealership & Ford Motor Company's Customer Service have stated my VIN Number are not eligible for the program to have this repaired. I am experiencing the exact issue described: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10205726-0001.pdf

NHTSA ID

11471800

Incident

Jun 25, 2022

The locked doors are randomly unlatching when I hit a bump. It’s happened several times on one side or the other and usually when I’m driving at high speed on the freeway. My young daughter was in the front seat when it happened again and it was very scary as the door was barely closed. If she had her arm leaning on it, it would have opened completely. I’ve had to rush into the emergency lane to close it again. These doors are locked when I start driving. I know there’s a recall on the 2015 mustang but I didn’t see one for the 2016. This is a convertible so I understand the doors are heavier and maybe this is a factor but it’s dangerous and Ford has been anything but conscientious regarding public safety issues with these mustangs including the infamous bank 8 misfires with the engine. Many people have had this and are forced to buy new engines on vehicles with mileage as low as 60,000 miles. Mine has been recently doing this as well.

NHTSA ID

11461170

Incident

Apr 7, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11455436

Incident

Feb 3, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11448088

Incident

Dec 1, 2021

I would like to file a complaint against Ford in regards to a door latch issue with my 2016 Mustang convertible. Starting in April 2021, the passenger side door will become unlatched on it's own while driving even with doors locked. It doesn't open entirely but enough to trip "door ajar" light and interior lights. Since that time in April it happened in June of 2021 and again in August after which I took car to a dealer. Door came unlatched at normal speeds between 40 and 60 mph. The car is under an extended warranty from Ford and the car now has approximately 37,000 miles on it. I am the original owner. The dealer kept car for about a weeks time and said they could not duplicate it. They told me warranty wouldn't honor it since they couldn't duplicate the issue and it would cost around $600 to fix possible issues. They asked me several questions implying I was imagining it or I didn't know what I was talking about. I've been driving for about 50 years. Since August, it has happened 2 more times, once at highway speed on 10/17/21 and again yesterday, 01/11/21 also at highway speed. This time my son was sitting in passenger seat. He is a Ford trained mechanic although he doesn't work for Ford but works on Ford police fleet cars. I do believe this is a safety issue but Ford will not address the issue. I took it to Ford corporate and they backed the dealer. I believe it will only get worse as time progresses. Wouldn't cover under warranty but if I wanted to pay they would do whatever I wanted them to do.

NHTSA ID

11447545

Incident

Jan 11, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the driver’s side door would unlock without warning. The contact stated that the door ajar warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. It is both driver's side and passenger side door that would open not unlock. It would open into the second stage. Happens regularly and at different speeds on different road conditions.

NHTSA ID

11439699

Incident

Nov 8, 2021

Mileage

80,000 mi

The vehicle is having the same issues as the 2015 and 2017 models. The passenger door will unlock and unlatch by itself while driving. Luckily the 4 times it has happened it has been while driving in a straight path and not going on a turn in which the door could fully open and cause an accident or someone or something to fall out of vehicle. In Looking at the 2015/2017 recalls, Ford is replacing the "Pawl spring tab" My vehicle thereby fails to comply with the requirements (FMVSS) 206, DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS. Unfortunately there are no recalls at the moment.

NHTSA ID

11431497

Incident

Aug 20, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger and driver’s side doors would open inadvertently even though the doors were locked. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the Vin. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the Vin. The failure mileage was 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11427041

Incident

Jul 29, 2021

Mileage

85,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11423974

Incident

Jul 8, 2021

Seat heater and cooler no longer working. Problem looks like the module burned the connector. Plastic female end is burnt black and the plastic is melted. Concerned that this is a fire safety issue

NHTSA ID

11422857

Incident

Jun 29, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the contact heard an unlatching sound and an alert message of the door being ajar. The contact noticed that the front passenger’s side door was slightly opened. The contact pulled over to the side road and closed the door however, the failure recurred several times. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure with the door latches. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,200.

NHTSA ID

11417973

Incident

Oct 20, 2020

Mileage

50,200 mi

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.*DT

NHTSA ID

11407441

Incident

Dec 18, 2020

Mileage

64,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11403943

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

Mileage

80,000 mi

THE HEATED/COOLED SEATS STOPPED WORKING. FOUND A BURNED PIN IN THE CONNECTOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT.

NHTSA ID

11364227

Incident

Oct 13, 2020

Mileage

50,244 mi

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR UNLATCHES AND THE ALARM THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN COMES ON WHILE DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY.THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES IN A 3 DAY SPAN WHILE TRAVELING ON A ROAD TRIP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND FIX THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11350713

Incident

Aug 10, 2020

Mileage

72,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE DOORS WILL POP OPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES RANDOMLY. SEEMS THE DRIVERS DOOR POPS OPEN THEN A SHORT TIME LATER THE PASSENGER DOOR POPS OPEN. THE TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED HAVE BEEN A COUPLE HOURS INTO A TRIP AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON RELATIVELY FLAT SURFACES.

NHTSA ID

11349196

Incident

Aug 14, 2020

Mileage

80,000 mi

ALL UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED ON FRONT OF CAR DUE TO SQUEAKING AND POPPING NOISES COMING FROM THEM. ALSO HEATED AND COOLED SEATS WENT OUT DUE TO PLUG SHORTING OUT.

NHTSA ID

11340205

Incident

Feb 1, 2018

Mileage

70,000 mi