Head-to-head reliability
FORD Mustang vs FORD Bronco
How the FORD Mustang and FORD Bronco compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
FORD Mustang vs FORD Bronco: The Mustang averages 104.8 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Bronco averages 173.3 per year over 6 years. Mustang has 64 recalls, Bronco 103. Both have engine issues, but Bronco reports fires. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Mustang or FORD Bronco more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Mustang
The Ford Mustang, a performance coupe, shows a high complaint volume over a decade, with electrical and engine issues dominating. Owners report sudden air conditioning failures, dead throttle events, and recall repair delays, suggesting potential reliability concerns that could affect daily usability and trust.
FORD Bronco
The Ford Bronco, a rugged SUV, has a higher annual complaint rate, with visibility/wiper, engine, and electrical problems leading. Owners describe windshield cracks, mirror malfunctions, and engine fires, indicating safety-relevant issues that could be alarming for a family-oriented vehicle.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Mustang | FORD Bronco |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,048 | 1,040 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 64 Better | 103 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 70 | 41 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 104.8 Better | 173.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 36 | 27 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
FORD Mustang
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM225
- 02ENGINE181
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER163
- 04POWER TRAIN162
- 05BACK OVER PREVENTION105
Owners report sudden air conditioning failure and software-related issues, including recall repairs not being completed in a timely manner, which can affect comfort and safety.
There are reports of dead throttle where the car coasts despite pressing the gas pedal, a serious drivability and safety concern that has recurred multiple times.
Complaints include a shift knob detaching from the gear selector, which could distract the driver and affect gear changes, though it's a minor part.
“I am extremely disappointed with Ford’s handling of my situation and the lack of customer support for what appears to be a premature major component failure. I own a 2024 Ford Mustang GT with only 56,022 miles. While driving, my air conditioning suddenly stop…”
“I am filing a safety complaint regarding an open manufacturer recall on my vehicle that has not been completed despite being scheduled for repair. On or about 2/16/2026, I scheduled the recall repair with an authorized dealership/service center. The repair wa…”
FORD Bronco
- 01VISIBILITY/WIPER175
- 02ENGINE169
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM135
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER128
- 05SERVICE BRAKES105
Windshield cracks spreading without impact and side mirrors changing orientation automatically are reported, impairing visibility and increasing accident risk.
Engine compartment fires have occurred, with one vehicle becoming a total loss, posing a severe safety hazard to occupants.
Infotainment and hands-free calling issues after software updates, along with mirror malfunctions, indicate software and electronic gremlins that can be frustrating.
“The following systems and features have been repeatedly failing in my vehicle, posing a safety hazard: 1) The side view mirrors change orientation automatically while driving. 2) The blind spot warning is inconsistent and is not trustworthy. 3) The infotainme…”
“Went out to start the vehicle one afternoon to notice a Crack from the outside passenger edge by the frame. Nothing hit the windshield and just a single line of Crack spread from one side of the windshield straight across took to ford to be told that while th…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
FORD Mustang — 64 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
The risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a fire. In addition, the loss of oil can result in engine seizure and loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still within dealership inventory and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles. The engine piston circlips may have been incorrectly installed during manufacturing, which can result in piston failure and engine damage, leading to a loss of drive power.
The risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or mis-installed circlips and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. F…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Mustang and 2025-2026 Mustang GTD vehicles. During certain cold temperature conditions, the windshield wipers may function only at their high-speed setting and the washing system may fail to function properly.
The risk: Windshield wipers or a washing system that fails to function as intended can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper motor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 9, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in lat…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
The risk: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
FORD Bronco — 103 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The instrument panel cluster software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and 2021-2024 Ford Edge vehicles. The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The APIM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for th…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The front seats may have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.
The risk: A seat with a dislodged bolt may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the pivot links and bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 26S3…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The vehicle specifications listed on the tire placard and safety certification labels may be incorrect, including the VIN, capacity weight, seating capacity, front and rear gross axle weight rating (GAWR), tire and rim…
The risk: The incorrect tire size, tire pressures, and GAWR listed on the labels can allow the vehicle to be overloaded or have improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the certification and TREAD labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this reca…
Buyer analysis
FORD Mustang or FORD Bronco: which should you buy?
The Mustang has fewer complaints per year (104.8 vs 173.3) and fewer recalls (64 vs 103), suggesting a lower frequency of issues. However, both have serious safety-related complaints, so neither is problem-free.
Key differences
- Mustang has more electrical complaints (225) but fewer visibility issues, while Bronco has more visibility/wiper complaints (175) and engine fires.
- Bronco has a higher annual complaint rate (173.3 vs 104.8) and more recalls (103 vs 64), indicating a higher likelihood of problems.
- Mustang owners report dead throttle and shift knob detachment, while Bronco owners report windshield cracks and mirror malfunctions.
- Both have engine issues, but Bronco's engine fires are more severe than Mustang's throttle problems.
- Check for any open recalls, especially engine-related, and ensure they are completed.
- Test the throttle response and air conditioning to ensure they work consistently.
- Inspect the windshield for cracks and test the side mirrors for unintended movement.
- Look for any signs of engine fire damage or unusual smells from the engine bay.
Before you buy
- Check NHTSA recall status for both vehicles and verify all recalls are performed.
- Test drive at various speeds to feel for throttle hesitation or dead spots.
- Operate all electrical features: A/C, infotainment, mirrors, and blind spot monitoring.
- Inspect the shift knob for looseness or detachment on the Mustang.
- Examine the windshield and wipers for cracks or damage on the Bronco.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | FORD Mustang | FORD Bronco |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 11 |
| 2025 | 14 | 162 |
| 2024 | 73 | 71 |
| 2023 | 145 | 214 |
| 2022 | 49 | 360 |
| 2021 | 55 | 222 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific FORD Mustang or FORD Bronco in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Mustang vs FORD Bronco
- FORD Mustang total complaints
- 1,048
- FORD Bronco total complaints
- 1,040
- FORD Mustang total recalls
- 64
- FORD Bronco total recalls
- 103
- FORD Mustang avg complaints/year
- 104.8
- FORD Bronco avg complaints/year
- 173.3
- More reliable overall
- FORD Mustang
- FORD Mustang top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD Bronco top complaint area
- VISIBILITY/WIPER