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FORD Mustang
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History

10 model years analyzed (2017–2026). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database β€” the same data used by federal regulators.

πŸ“‹
107
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
πŸ””
60
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
πŸ’₯
8
Crash-Related
crash complaints
πŸ”₯
1
Fire-Related
fire complaints
πŸ₯
4
Injuries Reported
across all years
πŸ€–
Average
AI Rating
reliability score

Checking a specific FORD Mustang? Run a VIN check for its exact history.

⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.

πŸ€–

AI Interpretation

High ConfidenceAverage
AI interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

NHTSA complaint data for the Ford Mustang (2017–2026) shows a concentration of issues in the fuel system, electrical system, and powertrain, with the highest number of complaints reported for the 2021 and 2022 model years. While total complaints are moderate, the presence of crash-related complaints and multiple recalls suggests areas of concern that buyers may want to investigate.

πŸ“Š Key Findings
  • Fuel system and gasoline-related complaints total 32, making it the most reported component group.
  • Electrical system complaints account for 15 of the 107 total complaints.
  • The 2021 model year has the highest number of complaints (53), followed by 2022 (44).
⚠️ Top Concerns
  • Fuel system issues, including gasoline leaks or malfunctions.
  • Electrical system failures, such as wiring or battery problems.
  • Powertrain complaints, including transmission or drivetrain issues.
⚠️ Worst Years

The 2021 and 2022 model years have elevated complaint counts, driven largely by fuel system and electrical system issues.

βœ… Best Years

The 2017, 2018, and 2019 model years show zero complaints, which may indicate fewer reported problems, though low sample size could also be a factor.

βœ… Before You Buy β€” Checklist
  • Inspect the fuel system for leaks or unusual odors.
  • Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
  • Request service records for electrical and powertrain repairs.
  • Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect. The data does not include information on vehicle mileage or severity of issues.

πŸ“… NHTSA Complaints by Model Year

2017
0
2018
0
2019
0
2020
0
2021
53
2022
44
2023
0
2024
0
2025
9
2026
1
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: May 2026

πŸ”” NHTSA Safety Recalls

60 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

Campaign #25V516000August 8, 2025

Safety Recall

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Campaign #24V593000September 8, 2024

Safety Recall

Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
Campaign #24V394000March 6, 2024

Safety Recall

Component: POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:LINKAGE:HYDRAULIC HOSE/FITTINGS
Campaign #20V263000August 5, 2020

Safety Recall

Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
Campaign #20V263000August 5, 2020

Safety Recall

Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
Campaign #19V076000November 2, 2019

Safety Recall

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Campaign #20V306000

Safety Recall

Component: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Campaign #20V573000

Safety Recall

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
Campaign #20V575000

Safety Recall

Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Campaign #22V382000

Safety Recall

Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Campaign #23V727000

Safety Recall

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM
Campaign #25V442000

Safety Recall

Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Campaign #25V695000

Safety Recall

Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Campaign #23V800000

Safety Recall

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
Campaign #24V220000

Safety Recall

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Campaign #24V496000

Safety Recall

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING:SWITCH/SENSOR/FLOAT
Campaign #24V634000

Safety Recall

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
Campaign #24V802000

Safety Recall

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Campaign #25V315000

Safety Recall

Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Campaign #25V546000

Safety Recall

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

πŸ”§ Most-Reported Problem Areas

Based on component keywords extracted from all 107 NHTSA complaints.

1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
16 complaints
2
FUEL SYSTEM
16 complaints
3
GASOLINE
16 complaints
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
15 complaints
5
POWER TRAIN
14 complaints
6
ENGINE
13 complaints
7
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
10 complaints
8
SERVICE BRAKES
8 complaints

πŸ“‹ NHTSA Complaint Reports

107 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGApr 2026

I purchase the car in December 2025. Lights were working fine then. Recently I noticed an issue on the right taillights. 2 of the 3 lights were working fine, then later in the day 1 of 3 were working. Until finally none on the right side worked. When pressing the car brakes, using the turn signals to enable the taillights to indicate a right turn, unlocking/locking the vehicle, the taillights on the right side do not function. I took a look at the lights up close without removing anything and saw like if there is moisture/water in the taillights. I have read that other vehicles of 2025 same model have had similar issues. I currently have it at my dealer that my Ford app recommended.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPERJan 2026

The Main screen in the car completely went black all of the sudden with no prior warnings or signs to show cause of the outage. The duration of time was over 5 minutes and it was only the center screen not the screen behind the steering wheel it stayed on.The car mostly runs off of the center touch screen with all the braking, lane keeping, powered windows, airbags, gps etc to not have any control over any functions due to the screen outage is a big concern. It has not happened again but just this one time. I also have noticed if I put the vehicle in lane keeping control it starts to leak fluid on my feet inside the vehicle.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLJan 2026

I was driving around 35mph, when I switched the DRIVE MODE to CUSTOM, the car went into neutral, and started to coast for a few hundred yards. I then switched it back to the standard drive mode, and it went back into gear. I proceeded on without further incident.

UNKNOWN OR OTHERDec 2025

While driving to mass on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 2025, my wife and I heard a loud pop. Our first question was "What was that?" as we looked at each other. Then I realize the rear window had suddenly shattered starting on the right side, and was slowly falling apart. As this was only about a mile from my home, we immediately drove home. I contacted SafeLite Auto Glass to schedule an appointment to have the glass replaced thru my insurance company. There was no warning this was about to happen, and neither one of us noticed anyone or anything near us as we were driving. As I currently have the car covered due to the forecast of snow, I will upload a picture when I take the cover off to take it to have repaired.

VISIBILITYDec 2025

The contact leased a 2025 Ford Mustang from Avis Car Rental. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on a cliffside highway around a curve, the rear passenger’s side window unexpectedly lowered and slammed down, causing a loud noise and allowing wind to enter the vehicle. The contact thought something had crashed into the vehicle. The contact pulled over and inspected the vehicl,e but found that there was no impact to the vehicle. Avis Car Rental was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V546000 (Exterior Lighting). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGOct 2025

See attached document for complaint.

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHERAug 2025

VIN: [XXX] Recall data refreshed on Aug 09,2025 0 Unrepaired Recalls associated with this VIN Transmission main control valve body replacement Recall incomplete INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

TIRESJul 2025

Pirelli p zero rs sizes 305/30/19 and 315/30/19 . These tires are track tires, no Tread. Unsafe when the road is wet. Ford should not have put these on a car for street use. Totally unacceptable and unsafe for use in other than hot and dry roads

UNKNOWN OR OTHERJul 2025

When shutting the door of my New Mustang the back safety glass exploded. If I had people or my dogs in that seat it could have potentially caused injuries to the occupants. Additionally in front seats due to flying glass I received pieces of glass in my arm from glass on the center arm rest.If this event happened while driving it could have caused a distraction that led to accident. There was no warning this was going to happen. Ford was alerted and after 1 month denied the replacement of the glass.

πŸ’₯ CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKESMay 2026

The 2026 Ford Mustang was off and rolled away out of the driveway colliding with tree, The incident was caught on my Ring Camera, the electrical system vehicle had acting strangely and kept giving warning the trunk was open and had to go open and close it multiple times. once i parked the vehicle at my house the car rolled away, according to Ford manual the vehicle is equipped this is a failure to the involves a critical safety system (Automatic Return to Park) that is explicitly designed to prevent exactly what happened, you should treat this as a serious safety defect. As of May 2026, Ford has already issued a major recall (Recall 25C69) for rollaway risks in other 2026 models like the Mustang Mach-E and Maverick due to a software fault in the "Integrated Park Module." While your gasoline Mustang (EcoBoost) was not explicitly named in that specific recall, it uses similar electronic shifting logic.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMMay 2026

Vehicle still does not have a remedy after nearly a year preventing use.

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMApr 2026

The vehicle is a 2022 Ford Mustang EcoBoost. While driving in traffic, the engine suddenly stalled and shut off without warning. This created an immediate safety risk as the vehicle lost power in the middle of active traffic flow, requiring me to quickly maneuver to avoid blocking traffic and potential collision. The issue appears consistent with a fuel delivery or fuel pressure failure, as the engine restarted immediately after the stall. Prior to this incident, the vehicle had shown intermittent warning signs including check engine light activation and suspected misfire-related alerts. The problem has not yet been fully reproduced or confirmed by a dealer as a root cause, although the vehicle has been presented for service and was found to have no active recall tied to the VIN according to the dealership. No formal inspection or diagnosis confirming the exact failed component has been completed yet. No police, insurance representatives, or manufacturer inspectors have examined the vehicle at this time. Warning lamps (check engine light) and possible misfire-related symptoms were present prior to the failure. These symptoms appeared intermittently over the weeks leading up to the stall, particularly after periods of low fuel operation. Based on the symptoms and behavior, the incident closely matches known fuel system issues reported in similar Ford Mustang EcoBoost vehicles, including those associated with fuel pressure loss leading to engine stall while driving. The suspected system involved is the low-pressure fuel delivery system (fuel pump or related components), which is available for inspection upon request.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEApr 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: XXX (Fuel System, Gasoline). While driving approximately 5-10 MPH, the vehicle stalled while accelerating from a stop on two occasions. The message to "Shift to Neutral and Restart" was displayed. The local dealer was contacted and informed about a diagnostic test. The contact called another local dealer, Raceway Ford of Darlington [XXX] ); and was informed that the parts were on back order. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that a fix was not available. The manufacturer declined to provide a loaner vehicle and informed the contact to continue driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 45,066. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

BACK OVER PREVENTIONApr 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the rear-view camera image was blank or distorted. The contact attempted to update the software to reboot the system; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, and the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V442000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,244.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEMar 2026

I scheduled my appointment to get the recalls taken care of and the car went into "protective mode" as soon as the call was made. I took it into the shop and now I have to pay for the diagnostic to turn my adaptive cruise control back on. The cruise control is a subset of the recall issue and I am being charge. It is at Metro Ford in Tupelo, Mississippi. I called the Ford recall center for help, but they put me off and said I should get a call from someone next week. I am paying for the diagnostic and repair because I have to and I need my car, but Ford is running a recall scam.

UNKNOWN OR OTHERFeb 2026

Backup camera not working screen says see dealer. We thought car was included in ford back over prevention recall 25v442000 ford recall 25s72. however we are being told no recall exists and have to pay to fix it ourselves.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMFeb 2026

This recall describes a known safety-related defect which can stall the vehicle while driving, thus increasing the risk of a crash. After 8 months without developing a remedy, that danger remains every time I drive my beloved Mustang. Is Ford waiting for numerous deaths due to this issue before making the cure a reality? What is the explanation for the lack of a cure? Evidently Ford has produced a fine looking automobile which should sit in one's garage instead of confidently driving it.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEJan 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact expressed concerns that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,623.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMDec 2025

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 vehicle and restart it. This vehicle has an open safety recall (NHTSA Recall Number 25V455 / Ford Recall 25S75) related to a low-pressure fuel pump failure that can cause engine stalling while driving. The recall has been open for several months, and there is currently no available remedy or repair from the manufacturer. The incident I experienced matches the recall description exactly. Despite the known safety risk, the manufacturer has not provided a fix, leaving the vehicle unsafe to operate. I am concerned for my safety and the safety of others due to the risk of repeated engine stalling at highway speeds.

SUSPENSIONOct 2025

Pinched weld separation, in dealership for same noise since 2023, yes problem was confirmed by repair shop and engineer from ford, popping sound in front end right side since 2023 at 5400 miles

Showing 20 of 107 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Check a Specific FORD Mustang

This page shows fleet averages across all 10 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.

πŸ“– Understanding This Data

πŸ“‹

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is β€” but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The FORD Mustang has 107 complaints on record across 10 model years.

πŸ””

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The FORD Mustang has 60 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

πŸ’₯

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 8 of the FORD Mustang's 107 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions β€” a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

πŸ€–

How Is the AI Rating Calculated?

The AI reliability rating (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision β€” always verify with a VIN-specific report.

πŸ“Š

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable β€” simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

πŸ”

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all FORD Mustang vehicles on the road β€” not any specific car. Two FORD Mustang vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

πŸ”Ž

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage β€” NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The FORD Mustang has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

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