Owners have reported 12 crashes, 4 fires and 8 injuries to NHTSA for the 2020 Ford Mustang. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several recurring electrical system issues with the 2020 Ford Mustang, notably involving the backup camera and digital instrument cluster. Complaints frequently mention the rearview camera displaying a blue or black screen, rendering it unusable, which poses a safety risk during reversing maneuvers. Multiple owners describe the instrument panel going blank intermittently, sometimes while driving, affecting visibility of critical vehicle information. Fire incidents are reported, with one occurring spontaneously after driving and another while parked, both suspected to be electrical in origin. These issues appear across a range of mileages, with some incidents reported as early as 19,000 miles, indicating potential early onset of electrical failures.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints17
POWER TRAIN
Owners report multiple issues with the powertrain of the 2020 Ford Mustang, primarily involving the transmission. Complaints frequently mention harsh shifting, delayed engagement, and transmission fluid leaks, with some owners experiencing these issues as early as 10,000 miles. Symptoms include the vehicle jerking or slamming into gears, unintended acceleration, and loss of throttle control. Two incidents resulted in crashes, with one reporting an injury. Safety concerns are highlighted by instances of cars moving unexpectedly or losing power in traffic, posing risks of collisions or traffic hazards.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints13
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2020 Ford Mustang frequently report issues with the back-up camera, including it being periodically unavailable, displaying incorrect images, or failing to show any image at all. These camera issues often persist despite recall attempts, with some owners noting difficulties in replicating the issue during dealership visits. Another reported problem involves the Ecoboost engine, where owners describe coolant intrusion into the cylinders, leading to symptoms like cold start misfires and white smoke from the exhaust, typically around 37,000 miles. A significant safety concern is highlighted by a fire incident reported by a rental car user, where the car ignited itself after being parked. Additionally, an injury is reported due to sharp edges on the exhaust pipes, posing a risk during vehicle cleaning. These issues, particularly the camera malfunctions and potential engine problems, are important considerations for potential buyers.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints12
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2020 Ford Mustang report several issues related to the service brakes, with some complaints involving brake pedal bracket failures during emergency braking, leading to a complete loss of braking capability. These incidents often occur at low mileages, such as 3,000 miles. Additionally, some owners experience a clicking sound due to defective rear calipers clamping on rotors, requiring replacement at around 12,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as three complaints involve crashes, one of which resulted in injury, with incidents such as brakes not slowing the vehicle leading to collisions with stationary objects. Some owners also report issues with recall repairs not being available, which could delay addressing known brake-related defects.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints8
ENGINE
Owners report recurring engine issues with the 2020 Ford Mustang, primarily involving coolant intrusion into the cylinders, which often leads to engine misfires and, in several cases, complete engine failure requiring replacement. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as illuminated check engine lights, smoke under the hood, and loss of motive power. These issues are typically observed around 59,000 to 73,300 miles. Some owners also describe significant oil leaks and overheating, with several reports of the vehicle shaking or failing to accelerate properly. While no crashes or fires are reported, the described symptoms could pose potential safety risks, particularly in terms of vehicle control and reliability.
Owner complaints6
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2020 Ford Mustang frequently report issues with airbag deployment during collisions, with several complaints involving crashes where airbags did not deploy as expected. Typical symptoms include non-deployment of passenger and driver airbags, even in severe impacts, and post-accident alerts indicating potential airbag system faults. Complaints often involve vehicles with mileage ranging from approximately 9,600 to 28,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as reports include injuries due to non-deployment, such as bruises, concussions, and other physical harm. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues, particularly regarding the airbag system's reliability during accidents.
Severity signals: 6 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2020 Ford Mustang frequently report issues related to engine cooling failures. Common symptoms include the illumination of the check engine warning light and engine overheating. Multiple reports indicate coolant intrusion into the engine, leading to recommendations for extensive repairs such as head gasket or engine replacement. These issues are typically observed at mileages around 53,500 to 86,000 miles. While no crashes or fires are reported, the need for significant engine work may be a consideration for prospective buyers.
Owner complaints2
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2020 Ford Mustang report issues with the trunk wing spoiler detaching while driving, with one owner experiencing multiple occurrences that required replacement. Another complaint involves a fuel system problem where the gas tank inaccurately displays fuel levels, leading to unexpected fuel depletion. This complaint also describes a fire incident attributed to improper installation of a fuel injector, which resulted in gasoline leakage. The issues appear at various mileages, with the spoiler issue occurring around 5,000 miles and the fuel system problems manifesting at approximately 20,000 miles. Safety implications include the risk of fire and potential loss of vehicle control due to sudden fuel exhaustion, making these reports critical for prospective buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
STEERING
Owners report issues with the steering system of the 2020 Ford Mustang, primarily involving a failed steering rack column and electric power steering system faults. Typical symptoms include a whining sound, a loose steering rack column, and dashboard warnings such as "Steering assist fault service required" and "advancetrac unavailable." These issues often result in a loss of power steering, particularly concerning during low-speed maneuvers. Complaints suggest these problems occur around 37,000 miles, with parts availability delaying repairs. The potential for loss of steering control poses safety risks, especially during turns.
Owner complaints2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2020 Ford Mustang report issues related to vehicle speed control, primarily involving unintended acceleration and cruise control malfunctions. One complaint describes an incident of unintended acceleration that could not be replicated by the dealer, suggesting a potentially intermittent issue. Another owner notes that while using cruise control, the brake warning lights fail to illuminate properly, with no diagnosis or repair attempted. These issues occur at approximately 6,740 miles, indicating potential early-life problems. Safety implications include unintended acceleration, which may lead to loss of control, although no crashes or injuries are reported in the complaints.
