CSR

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2021 Ford Mustang

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

Owners have filed 55 safety complaints about the 2021 Ford Mustang with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 2 people were injured and no death is recorded. 6 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the gasoline fuel system, named in 10 complaints, 18% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 5,465 miles, the median across the 20 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers November 2021 to June 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

55 complaints on file

55

Complaints

4

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

2

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 more than doubled year on year: 22 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 11 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
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 10 · 18%
POWER TRAIN 9 · 16%
ENGINE 8 · 15%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6 · 11%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5 · 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 · 9%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 4 · 7%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 3 · 5%
SUSPENSION 3 · 5%
AIR BAGS 2 · 4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2 · 4%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 · 4%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 55.

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 19.

20 15 10 5
21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2021 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 2021 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:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM

25V689000 · October 10, 2025

The defect
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."
The risk
Without a low brake fluid warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, reducing braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C55. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 17, 2025.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,101 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

25V455000 · July 7, 2025

The defect
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.
The risk
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.

Ford Motor Company · up to 850,318 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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM

23V727000 · October 27, 2023

The defect
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."
The risk
Without a low brake fluid warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, reducing braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C35.

Ford Motor Company · up to 187,922 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER

22V083000 · February 16, 2022

The defect
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.
The risk
An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the front passenger knee air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 8, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S07.

Ford Motor Company · up to 327 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

21V980000 · December 16, 2021

The defect
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."
The risk
An air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on February 3, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C37.

Ford Motor Company · up to 93 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · crash · towed

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang GT500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering as the instrument cluster went blank and the charging system error warning message was illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Battery Save Mode, Pull Over, and Turn Car Off and On" message was illuminated. The contact had pulled over to turn off the vehicle and was able to restart. The failure reoccurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the failures could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and that the suspension error warning

NHTSA complaint 11522730, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

1 injured · crash · towed · 5,800 miles

The contact owned a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the steering wheel independently veered in the right direction causing the contact to crash into a barrier without warning. The air bags deployed upon impact. The contact sought medical attention and was treated for lacerations and bruising to the left eye. A CT scan was also performed which ruled out any further injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to a local dealer where it was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA

NHTSA complaint 11602670, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

crash · towed

Lane departure lane assist failed along with the blind spot and viper visibllity caused me to crash my vehicle. Insurance refusing to fix. This need to be investigated. I don’t remember the impact my insurnace is accusing me of lying and won’t fix the car but I just got it.

NHTSA complaint 11479487. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

crash · 4,000 miles

The contact leased a 2021 Ford Mustang from an Enterprise rental company. The contact stated while driving approximately 3-5 MPH and coming to a complete stop, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond, lunged forward, and hit the rear of the vehicle before him. The contact stated that it was a fender-bender; however, the front of the vehicle sustained damage. The air bags did not deploy. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact did not sustain injuries. The occupants of the other vehicle did not sustain injuries. There was no police report filed. The contact was able to continue driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that

NHTSA complaint 11497775, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My vehicle, VIN [XXX], is subject to NHTSA Recall 25V455 (Ford Recall 25S75) involving a defective low-pressure fuel pump that may cause engine hesitation, loss of power, or engine stalling. This recall was announced in July 2025 and remains open on the NHTSA VIN lookup as of June 2026. More than eleven months have passed since the recall was announced, and Ford has not provided a repair remedy for my vehicle. I believe this is an unreasonable delay for a safety-related defect. In addition, the recall previously appeared in the FordPass application associated with my vehicle but no longer appears there, even though both the NHTSA and Ford recall website VIN lookup continues to show the

NHTSA complaint 11745538, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
Driver door opened to secondary latch position while driving on the highway at 70mph on 5/16/2026. The warning system came on and driver had to navigate holding the door and stopping safely during high speed traffic to close the door. Will take to dealership when next available opening day. No accident or police were involved. Driver found older warning affecting same year,make,model for recall but unsure if problem was corrected before purchase or if this vin# was included in recall campaign. Campaign 21N10.

NHTSA complaint 11738388. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
The backup camera goes blank and says to contact Ford

NHTSA complaint 11735290. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2,700 miles

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle shuddered while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that there was a banging sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated while pulling over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove slowly to the destination. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer

NHTSA complaint 11729641, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

48,000 miles

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started losing automotive power. The vehicle had stalled several times. The vehicle was able to restart, and the loss of automotive power was intermittent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part was not yet available. The contact called a local dealer and the manufacturer several times and was informed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

NHTSA complaint 11726929. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
A steady Check Engine Light came on after starting the car; brought it to Ford Dealer of Montebello and they stated coolant leak and got into one of the cylinders that caused misfires.

NHTSA complaint 11722624. 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 —
2020 120 8 —
2019 149 6 —
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 2021 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