Ford Mustang Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Ford Mustang model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (55) and the 2007 the most (615).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
8 | 5 | Engine | 5★ | 12–26 |
| 2023 | 15 | 6 | Electrical system | 5★ | 17–25 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
18 | 6 | Exterior lighting | 5★ | 12–26 |
| 2022 | 50 | 9 | Fuel system | 5★ | 14–25 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
55 | 6 | Fuel system | 5★ | 14–25 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
82 | 12 | Electrical system | 5★ | 17–26 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
120 | 8 | Electrical system | 5★ | 14–25 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
149 | 6 | Engine | 5★ | 16–25 |
| 2009 | 181 | 5 | Air bags | — | 16–20 |
| 2018 | 194 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 16–25 |
| 2010 | 261 | 5 | Air bags | — | 17–21 |
| 2017 | 265 | 6 | Back over prevention | 5★ | 16–24 |
| 2013 | 271 | 5 | Air bags | 4★ | 18–23 |
| 2008 | 347 | 5 | Air bags | — | 16–20 |
| 2014 | 359 | 3 | Air bags | 4★ | 18–23 |
| 2016 | 378 | 5 | Engine | 5★ | 16–25 |
| 2015 | 437 | 11 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 18–25 |
| 2011 Among the most complaints |
466 | 4 | Power train | — | 17–23 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
469 | 6 | Power train | 4★ | 18–23 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
615 | 5 | Air bags | — | 16–20 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Ford Mustang years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2007 Ford Mustang: 615 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 348 (57%); Structure 51 (8%); Vehicle speed control 43 (7%).
Reports mention 46 crashes, 5 fires, 40 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 36,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Ford Mustang: 469 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 177 (38%); Air bags 158 (34%); Vehicle speed control 35 (7%).
Reports mention 20 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 23,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Ford Mustang: 466 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 200 (43%); Air bags 125 (27%); Engine 48 (10%).
Reports mention 20 crashes, 1 fire, 17 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 22,035 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
The Ford Mustang years with the fewest complaints
2021 Ford Mustang: 55 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel system 10 (18%); Power train 9 (16%); Engine 8 (15%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 5,800 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Ford Mustang: 120 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 25 (21%); Engine 25 (21%); Power train 25 (21%).
Reports mention 13 crashes, 5 fires, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 24,400 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Ford Mustang: 149 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 51 (34%); Electrical system 32 (21%); Power train 28 (19%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 20,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Ford Mustang owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 82 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5,000 |
| 2023 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 50 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 10,102 |
| 2021 | 55 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5,800 |
| 2020 | 120 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 24,400 |
| 2019 | 149 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2018 | 194 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 28,890 |
| 2017 | 265 | 14 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 40,000 |
| 2016 | 378 | 13 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 35,600 |
| 2015 | 437 | 26 | 7 | 19 | 0 | 35,000 |
| 2014 | 359 | 30 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 24,000 |
| 2013 | 271 | 16 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 40,000 |
| 2012 | 469 | 20 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 23,000 |
| 2011 | 466 | 20 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 22,035 |
| 2010 | 261 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 45,000 |
| 2009 | 181 | 17 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 40,000 |
| 2008 | 347 | 21 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 37,500 |
| 2007 | 615 | 46 | 5 | 40 | 1 | 36,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Ford Mustang recalls
- FORD/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION (1988–1993 model years; 7,900,000 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 1996; 96V071000)
- FUEL:FUEL LINES:METALLIC (1986–1987 model years; 3,600,000 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 1987; 87V139000)
- Doors May Open While Driving (2015 model year; 2,147,323 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2020; 20V331000)
- Doors may Unexpectedly Open (2015 model year; 2,046,297 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2016; 16V643000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2005–2011 model years; 1,892,343 vehicles across all models; filed May 2016; 16V384000)
All 82 Ford Mustang recall campaigns · Ford Mustang problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Ford Mustang years FAQ
Which Ford Mustang year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (55). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Ford Mustang years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2007, 2012 and 2011 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the air bags. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Ford Mustang problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the air bags (1,644 of 4,740 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Ford Mustang have?
NHTSA lists 82 recall campaigns covering the Ford Mustang. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Ford Mustang recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.