CSR

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2019 Ford Mustang

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 149 safety complaints about the 2019 Ford Mustang with the US government. Of those, 3 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. 6 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 51 complaints, 34% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 20,000 miles, the median across the 55 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers June 2019 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

149 complaints on file

149

Complaints

3

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

1

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints rose 35% year on year: 35 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 26 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 51 · 34%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 32 · 21%
POWER TRAIN 28 · 19%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 19 · 13%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11 · 7%
STRUCTURE 9 · 6%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 6 · 4%
STEERING 6 · 4%
WHEELS 6 · 4%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 5 · 3%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 5 · 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 · 3%
0 23 46

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 149.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 34.

36 27 18 9
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2019 Ford MUSTANG, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 2 DR RWD C RWD
Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal, driver Not rated
Frontal, passenger Not rated
Side crash Not rated
Side barrier Not rated
Side pole Not rated
Rollover
Chance of rollover 9.3% 8.1%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

6 on file

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

26V372000 · June 9, 2026

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 19V076. 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."
The risk
A blank instrument cluster that fails to display critical safety information, such as vehicle speed or safety system warnings, increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C27. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,349 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

25V572000 · September 4, 2025

The defect
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.
The risk
A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,456,417 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

25V442000 · June 27, 2025

The defect
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.
The risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

Ford Motor Company · up to 200,237 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

22V382000 · May 27, 2022

The defect
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.
The risk
A rearview camera or reverse light that is disabled reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Disabled driver assist features (traction control, forward collision warning, blind spot warning, cross traffic indicator) may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 15, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S37.

Ford Motor Company · up to 25,032 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

20V263000 · May 8, 2020

The defect
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.
The risk
If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being shifted into park, unintended vehicle movement may result, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S21.

Ford Motor Company · up to 10,460 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

19V076000 · February 11, 2019

The defect
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."
The risk
A blank instrument cluster will not show important information like vehicle speed, fuel or temperature level, or safety system warnings. Driving with an inoperative cluster can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Ford has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC), free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C03.

Ford Motor Company · up to 4,212 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

STEERING

1 injured · crash · towed

On 11/27/21 I was driving my 2019 mustang GT convertible with approx 15,000 miles. While going around a curve (not at an excessive speed) on dry pavement, the car became uncontrollable and began to spin out. As much as I tried to brake and steer into the slide, the car became more and more uncontrollable and felt as though it were speeding up. I only came to a stop after slamming into a tree and rolling over to the other side of the road. Vehicle is a total loss. I was lucky and only suffered minor injuries, but it very easily could have been much worse. The police and paramedics who arrived at the scene were expecting a fatality or severe injuries. In the end I was ticketed for failure to

NHTSA complaint 11442621, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash

I parked my manual car at work. Put the emergency break on and the break disengaged on its own and 15 mins later the car ran into the metal frame of a pick up truck.

NHTSA complaint 11461774. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

towed · 106,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs, and ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs, and ignition coils needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred, and the independent mechanic advised having the vehicle diagnosed by a local dealer. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the

NHTSA complaint 11514816, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

towed · 38,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the instrument panel blacked out, disabling all electrical systems. The driving assist, speedometer, A/C and other electrical systems all failed to operate as needed. The contact was able to coast to the side of the roadway and turned the vehicle off for several minutes. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure was not self-corrected. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the failure was linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V382000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.

NHTSA complaint 11587139. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Engine coolant leaked into the cylinders. Overheating. Coolant leaked into catalyst. ODB Error codes attached . Independent service center replaced short block, see attached invoice. Engine light on.

NHTSA complaint 11766185. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Head gasket blew, and car overheated immediately on the freeway, with no warning signs, and at only 43,000 miles when a failure like this should not occur. Had to find a place to pull over and be towed to avoid more engine damage. Both independent mechanic and Ford dealership has confirmed this. Official diagnosis is "Remove and replace cylinder head assembly and replace head gasket – coolant intrusion cylinder 1, P0316, P0301.” Apparently it's a known issue with this particular engine and has a pending lawsuit.

NHTSA complaint 11764158. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
I took my car to ford and the guy working hit a curb in there own buisness and they had to replace my two tires and rims and I just don’t trust anything because it took them 2 months to fix it , happened like a year ago

NHTSA complaint 11761386. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Upon start up the digital cluster remains blank. This happens often now. Th cluster remains blank when this happens until the car is off for over an hour or disconnecting the negative battery (soft reset). While this is going on the vehicle isn't safe to drive. No speed, gear, emergency alerts, nothing is visible.

NHTSA complaint 11760033. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

95,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that upon start the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and the contact was advised that the engine was faulty due to coolant intrusion and that the engine would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA complaint 11760142. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
My 2019 Ford Mustang equipped with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine developed a check-engine light, rough startups, engine misfires/rough running, and some engine knocking. The vehicle had approximately 87,453 miles. I took the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealership for diagnosis. The dealer brought the engine to operating temperature, pressurized the cooling system to 21 PSI, removed the ignition coils and spark plugs, and inspected the cylinders with a borescope. The dealer documented coolant intrusion into cylinder #2 due to a failed cylinder head and recommended replacement of the complete long-block engine due to the extent of the damage. The dealer also documented diagnostic trouble codes

NHTSA complaint 11757812, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Mustang

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 8 5 —
2025 18 6 —
2024 81 12 —
2023 15 6 —
2022 50 9 —
2021 55 6 —
2020 120 8 —
2018 193 3 —
2017 265 6 —
2016 378 5 2
2015 437 11 —
2014 359 3 —
2013 271 5 —
2012 469 6 1
2011 466 4 —
2010 261 5 2

Other 2019 Ford models

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst