Ford

Mustang (S550)

2015-2023 · Sports Car · 2 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (3.4)
1,851 NHTSA Complaints
34 Recalls
31 Fire Reports
114 Crash Reports
Includes data from: MUSTANGMUSTANG CONVERTIBLEMUSTANG COUPEMUSTANG GT350RMUSTANG GT500
View all 4 generations of the Ford Mustang → 📋 Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
5/5 (8.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Not Available LDW: Not Available
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
5/5 (8.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
5/5 (8.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
5/5 (8.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
5/5 (8.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
5/5 (8.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
5/5 (8.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: No
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (8.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
5/5 (8.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: No
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (8.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
5/5 (8.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: No
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (8.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

4V

5.0L 8-cyl / 480 hp
⚠️ Caution (3.4)
26 complaints 6.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
10
fuel system
7
engine
4
brakes
4
safety systems
4

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (10 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (7 complaints)
Engine Issues (4 complaints)

TiVCT

5.2L 8-cyl / 526 hp
Avoid (1.9)
40 complaints 6.7 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports 2 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
17
transmission
8
fuel system
5
electrical
5
body
3

Known Issues

Engine Issues (17 complaints)
Transmission Issues (8 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (5 complaints)

Same engine used in

1 additional engine variant with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Ford Mustang regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (21 complaints)
engine critical
Fuel System Issues (12 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Electrical System Issues (10 complaints)
electrical critical
Transmission Issues (8 complaints)
transmission critical

Recalls (34)

25V442000Jun 26, 2025serious
Back Over Prevention

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

25V096000Feb 13, 2025serious
Steering

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Ford Mustang vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-493. The secondary steering torque sensor may not be calibrated properly, which can cause the steering wheel to turn side to side against the driver's intentions.

25V695000Oct 12, 2025serious
Back Over Prevention

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

25V614000Dec 8, 2025serious
Seat Belts

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles. Water and road salt may corrode the front seat belt anchor pretensioner cables.

25V689000Oct 9, 2025serious
Electrical System

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Mustang vehicles repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V727. The brake fluid level sensor may not activate the visual warning indicator when the brake fluid is low. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

25V455000Jul 6, 2025serious
Fuel System

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.

25V572000Apr 8, 2025serious
Back Over Prevention

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

24V493000Jun 27, 2024serious
Steering

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Ford Mustang vehicles. The secondary steering torque sensor may not be calibrated properly, which can cause the steering wheel to turn side to side against the driver's intentions.

23V727000Oct 26, 2023serious
Electrical System

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Mustang vehicles. The brake fluid level sensor may not activate the visual warning indicator when the brake fluid is low. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

23V070000Oct 1, 2023serious
Powertrain

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."

22V382000May 26, 2022serious
Powertrain

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may broadcast an unintended faulted signal to the modules controlling the reverse camera, reverse light, and driver assist features, which may disable all of these functions.

22V082000Feb 15, 2022serious
Back Over Prevention

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera wiring may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image.

22V083000Feb 15, 2022serious
Air Bags

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Mustang vehicles. An insufficient weld on the front passenger knee air bag may result in an improper air bag deployment.

22V334000May 12, 2022serious
Forward Collision Avoidance

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Mustang vehicles equipped with an Image Processing Module A (IPMA) or forward-facing camera. The camera is misaligned to the vehicle, resulting in the camera not functioning as intended.

22V011000Jan 12, 2022serious
Service Brakes

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fusion, Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 Mustang vehicles originally sold or ever registered, in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Hawaii. Exposure to certain environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, high humidity, and salt air can cause the brake pedal bumper to corrode and separate from the brake pedal.

21V980000Dec 15, 2021serious
Air Bags

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mustang vehicles. The side curtain air bag inflators may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in improper air bag inflation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 226, "Ejection Mitigation," and 214, "Side Impact Protection."

20V306000May 26, 2020serious
Forward Collision Avoidance

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped a forward-looking camera. The camera may be misaligned to the vehicle and features that are dependent on the camera such as Pre-Collision Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping System, Driver Alert, and Auto High Beam Control may not function as intended.

20V573000Sep 22, 2020serious
Service Brakes

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The brake pedal bracket may fracture during sudden stopping.

20V575000Sep 22, 2020serious
Back Over Prevention

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

20V331000Aug 5, 2020serious
Latches/Locks/Linkages

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

20V263000Aug 4, 2020serious
Powertrain

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles. The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.

19V076000Nov 1, 2019serious
Electrical System

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

18E035000May 23, 2018serious
Engine & Cooling

Roush Performance Products, Inc. (Roush) is recalling certain aftermarket supercharger kits, part number R1318-6006P1-AA, sold for installation on 2018 Ford Mustangs. The hose barb fittings on the supercharger kits may be manufactured incorrectly, possibly causing damage to the fuel lines and resulting in a fuel leak.

18V213000Apr 3, 2018serious
Powertrain

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.

17V529000Aug 27, 2017critical
Air Bags

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 F-150 and Mustang vehicles. The air bag inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may rupture in the event of a crash.

17V814000Dec 17, 2017serious
Electrical System

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2018 Ford Mustang vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and a 12.4" digital instrument cluster. If the ignition is turned off when the transmission is not in PARK, the instrument cluster may not illuminate the PRNDL gear position display and the operator may not receive the "Key in Ignition" chime when the driver's door is opened. As such, these vehicles fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence/Starter Interlock/Transmission Braking Effect," and number 114, "Theft Protection."

17V168000Mar 12, 2017serious
Latches/Locks/Linkages

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Mustang vehicles. The return spring for the driver side interior door handle may come loose, allowing the driver's door to unlatch in a side impact crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

16V779000Oct 25, 2016serious
Engine & Cooling

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles manufactured February 24, 2015, to August 30, 2016. A hose may separate from the engine oil cooler tube assembly causing an oil leak.

16V643000Jun 8, 2016serious
Latches/Locks/Linkages

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

15V707000Oct 25, 2015serious
Seat Belts

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Mustang vehicles manufactured September 26, 2015, to October 1, 2015. The front and rear seat belts and child seat tether anchors may have been damaged in shipping from the supplier to the vehicle assembly plant and may not adequately restrain the occupant in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems."

15V832000Oct 11, 2015serious
Service Brakes

Roush Performance Products, Inc. (Roush) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Mustang GT Roush Stage 3 vehicles manufactured April 1, 2015, to October 31, 2015, and equipped with Roush Extreme Duty Half Shafts. The affected vehicles have a brake caliper guide pin that may not have been sufficiently tightened during installation of the half shafts. As a result, the caliper guide pin may loosen while driving, reducing the vehicle's rear braking ability.

15V339000Feb 5, 2015serious
Fuel System

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Mustang vehicles manufactured February 14, 2014, to February 10, 2015, and equipped with 2.3L engines. Prolonged exposure to elevated underbody temperatures can cause degradation of the fuel tank and/or fuel vapor lines, which may eventually result in a fuel leak. In addition, this condition could cause seals in the parking brake cable to degrade, potentially affecting parking brake function.

14V649000Oct 16, 2014serious
Seat Belts

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Mustang vehicles manufactured August 18, 2014, to October 2, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the passenger safety belt tension sensor may misclassify the size of the front passenger seat occupant. This could cause a child size occupant to be classified as an adult and an adult passenger to be classified as a child passenger. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

14V774000May 11, 2014serious
Fuel System

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Mustang vehicles manufactured September 25, 2014, to October 9, 2014. The fuel pressure sensor may not have been seated properly to the fuel jumper line, which may cause a fuel leak.

Alternatives in Sports Car

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2015-2023 Ford Mustang problems?

The 2015-2023 Ford Mustang has accumulated 1,851 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Fuel System, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Ford Mustang engine is most reliable?

The 2015-2023 Ford Mustang was offered with 3 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 5.2L 8-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2015-2023 Ford Mustang a good used car?

The 2015-2023 Ford Mustang can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,851 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015-2023 Ford Mustang have?

The 2015-2023 Ford Mustang has 1,851 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2015-2023 Ford Mustang?

There are 34 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2015-2023 Ford Mustang vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Ford Mustang?

Before buying a used Ford Mustang, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Fuel System, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Mustang?

The 2023 Ford Mustang received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 5 stars (9.3% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard & Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,851 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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