Common problems

Ford Mustang Common Problems

We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 9 Ford Mustang model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.

Data updated June 2026

Owner complaints
1,014

9 model years

Top recurring issue
Electrical System

8 affected years

Crash reports
63

Owner-reported severity signal

Fire reports
8

34 injuries · 0 deaths

Pattern overview

Most reported Ford Mustang problem categories

#1

Electrical System

270complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 8 model years; highest in 2021.

#2

Power Train

167complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 8 model years; highest in 2021.

#3

Unknown Or Other

102complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 8 model years; highest in 2021.

#4

Engine

81complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 5 model years; highest in 2018.

#5

Vehicle Speed Control

30complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2021.

#6

Service Brakes

25complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2021.

#7

Steering

22complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2022.

#8

Forward Collision Avoidance

53complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2021.

#9

Structure

18complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2018.

#10

Air Bags

11complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2020.

What owners reported

Issue summaries by Ford Mustang model year

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report frequent issues with the electrical system of the 2021 Ford Mustang, particularly involving the 12-volt battery and camera system faults. Common symptoms include battery failures leading to vehicle lockouts and electrical shutdowns, often occurring around 50,000 to 73,000 miles. Camera faults disrupt safety features such as pre-collision assist and cruise control, with some owners noting these issues after bumps in the road. Safety implications include incidents of vehicles stalling on highways, one reported fire during charging, and a case of an occupant being trapped due to electrical failure. These patterns suggest potential safety concerns for prospective buyers, especially in terms of operational reliability and safety feature functionality.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2022 Ford Mustang frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving sudden power loss and vehicle shutdowns while driving, often accompanied by warning messages such as "Stop Safely Now." Some complaints describe complete system failures, including blacked-out instrument clusters and infotainment screens, leading to loss of turn signals and hazard lights. Recurring issues with door latches and locks are also noted, with doors failing to open or lock properly, posing safety risks. These problems often appear in vehicles with varying mileages, some as low as 6,100 miles. Safety implications include two reported crashes, one involving steering lock and brake failure, highlighting potential risks for loss of vehicle control.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

POWER TRAIN

Owners report frequent issues with the powertrain of the 2021 Ford Mustang, particularly involving transmission malfunctions and high-voltage battery system failures. Common symptoms include rough shifting, unexpected neutral gear engagement, random lurching, and complete loss of propulsion, often without warning. These issues typically occur at various mileages, sometimes as early as 12,000 miles, and can lead to safety concerns such as loss of control and near accidents, with one reported crash and two injuries. Additionally, multiple owners describe difficulties with the vehicle stalling, being stuck in accessory mode, and not shifting out of park. Buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and potential safety implications.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Owners of the 2021 Ford Mustang frequently report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, particularly involving the front camera fault which disables critical safety features such as pre-collision assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Symptoms often include dashboard warnings indicating "Pre-Collision Assist Not Available" and "Front Camera Fault," with many reports noting these issues occur after hitting bumps or at random intervals. Complaints suggest these problems can begin as early as 8,000 miles and persist despite multiple repair attempts. Safety implications are significant, with two reported crashes and three injuries linked to these system failures. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, as they could affect the vehicle's safety features and incur significant repair costs.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2018 Ford Mustang frequently report issues with the vehicle's power train, particularly involving the transmission. Common symptoms include the vehicle abruptly stopping or locking the rear wheels, especially when shifting gears, which occasionally leads to crashes. Other reported issues involve the transmission failing to shift properly, causing jerking, slamming, or slipping during gear changes, with some owners noting problems as early as 35,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with instances of unintended vehicle movement and rollaway incidents, as well as sudden loss of power while driving. These patterns suggest potential risks for used car buyers considering this model.

Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

ENGINE

Owners report that the 2018 Ford Mustang, particularly those with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine, frequently experiences coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, leading to misfires, engine failure, and the need for costly engine replacements. Common symptoms include rough starting, misfires, loss of power, and illuminated check engine lights. These issues are often reported around 40,000 to 70,000 miles, though some occur as early as 18,000 miles or as late as 100,000 miles. Safety implications include sudden loss of power while driving, which may pose a risk of stalling or accidents. Potential buyers should be aware of these reported problems and the associated repair costs, as well as the lack of manufacturer support for out-of-warranty vehicles.

ENGINE

Owners report frequent issues with the 2019 Ford Mustang's engine, particularly related to coolant leaks and head gasket failures. Complaints often describe symptoms such as check engine lights, rough idling, loss of power, and visible coolant leaks, with occurrences typically noted between 26,000 and 86,000 miles. Many reports specifically point to coolant intrusion into cylinders, leading to potential engine damage and costly repairs or replacements. Safety implications are noted, with some owners expressing concern over the risk of engine stalling or failure while driving, although no crashes or fires are explicitly reported. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the associated repair costs, especially as some problems arise shortly after warranty expiration.

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2022 Ford Mustang frequently report issues with the powertrain, particularly concerning the transmission and high voltage battery junction box (HVBJB). Common symptoms include transmission slipping, hard shifts, and the vehicle unexpectedly losing propulsion, often accompanied by warning messages like "Stop Safely Now." These issues are reported across varied mileages, with some incidents occurring as early as 12,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with at least two incidents involving crashes due to the vehicle rolling or losing power. Prospective buyers should be aware that these powertrain issues may affect both the gasoline and electric models, with potential for repeated failures even after repairs.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Pre-purchase inspection

What to check on a used Ford Mustang

When problems are reported to begin

  • Electrical system failures0–3,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Engine misfires4,000–6,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Service brake issues100–5,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures15,000–26,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
  • Steering issues3,000–26,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
  • Brake failures14,000–15,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
  • Power train failures12,000–54,000 miles on the 2022 model-year record
  • Service brake issues18,000–36,800 miles on the 2022 model-year record

Buyer red flags

  • Inspect rear window for signs of stress or damage
  • Test all windows for proper operation and unexpected movement
  • Verify that the infotainment system functions without blackouts
  • Check for any fluid leaks inside the vehicle, especially near the driver's feet
  • Ensure transmission shifts smoothly in all drive modes
  • Inspect tires for appropriate tread and suitability for wet conditions
  • Confirm all recalls have been addressed, especially for transmission components
  • Test infotainment and instrument panel for blank screens

How to interpret the counts

Complaint totals are not failure rates

A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.

Source trail

Where this Ford Mustang data comes from

VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Ford Mustang research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.

Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.

Buyer questions

Ford Mustang research FAQ

What is the most common Ford Mustang problem?

Electrical System is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 8 years with 270 complaints represented.

Which Ford Mustang year has the most reported problems?

The 2021 has the largest electrical system count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.

Do NHTSA complaints prove a Ford Mustang has a defect?

No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.

Check the actual car

Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.

Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Ford Mustang you are considering.