Head-to-head reliability
FORD Mustang vs FORD Expedition
How the FORD Mustang and FORD Expedition 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 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. FORD Mustang has 1,056 complaints and 64 recalls on record; FORD Expedition has 2,103 complaints and 92 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Mustang | FORD Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,056 Better | 2,103 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 64 Better | 92 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 71 | 63 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 105.6 Better | 210.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 36 Better | 140 |
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 SYSTEM228
- 02ENGINE186
- 03POWER TRAIN164
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER163
- 05BACK OVER PREVENTION105
“The vehicle experienced a sudden steering malfunction involving the electronic steering gear. While backing out of a parking structure, the steering wheel suddenly jerked and locked instead of naturally correcting, resulting in collision with a pillar. There…”
“While driving approximately 45 mph and entering a highway, my 2022 Ford Mustang GT California Special suddenly lost power and shut off completely. The engine stalled without warning, creating a dangerous situation with surrounding traffic. I had to coast the…”
FORD Expedition
- 01POWER TRAIN790
- 02ENGINE367
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM254
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER247
- 05SEAT BELTS142
“I purchased a new 2025 Ford Expedition Max. Since I left the dealer’s lot, the vehicle has had a strong vibration at any speed over 60 miles per hour, which makes highway driving and longer distance trips very challenging or impossible. Since I bought the veh…”
“Driving on highway, tried to accelerate, the car was acting like it was in neutral and would not accelerate. Checked to ensure I was not. the car began decelerating and I started to pull over. As I entered the brake down lane - the car automatically switched…”
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 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.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang Mach E, and Mustang vehicles. The LED Driver Modules may contain a burnt diode, which can cause the low-beam and high-beam headlights, daytime running lights, front position lights, and front turn signals to fail in the a…
The risk: Exterior lighting failure can reduce visibility for the driver and other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the LED Driver Modules, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Mustang, and Mustang GTD vehicles. Water may enter the body control module and cause a loss of communication with the exterior lighting, including the license plate light, side marker, and tail lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply w…
The risk: License plate, side marker, and tail lights that fail to illuminate as intended can reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and seal the body seams as necessary. Dealers will also inspect the body control module for corrosion and replace it, if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed Octob…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
The risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (…
FORD Expedition — 92 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Expedition, and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
The risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The passenger side air bag may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag to deploy with excessive force during a crash.
The risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S51.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of…
The risk: An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expec…
The fix: The EBB module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Expedition vehicles. The chrome plating on the center console may bubble and peel, resulting in sharp edges.
The risk: Vehicle occupants may contact the center console's sharp edges, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the center consoles as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 16, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated i…
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 Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 9 |
| 2025 | 14 | 29 |
| 2024 | 73 | 71 |
| 2023 | 145 | 64 |
| 2022 | 49 | 111 |
| 2021 | 55 | 228 |
| 2020 | 118 | 387 |
| 2019 | 144 | 477 |
| 2018 | 187 | 371 |
| 2017 | 264 | 356 |
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 Expedition in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Mustang vs FORD Expedition
- FORD Mustang total complaints
- 1,056
- FORD Expedition total complaints
- 2,103
- FORD Mustang total recalls
- 64
- FORD Expedition total recalls
- 92
- FORD Mustang avg complaints/year
- 105.6
- FORD Expedition avg complaints/year
- 210.3
- More reliable overall
- FORD Mustang
- FORD Mustang top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD Expedition top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN