VehicleVerdict

2011 Ford Mustang problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 583 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.0 times the median Mustang year — the 2011 model ranks #5 of 62 Mustang years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 28 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 203 reports (35% of the total).

583

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

27

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

28

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Mustang years?

See all Mustang years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Ford Mustang problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission20335%
Airbags12521%
Engine559%
Electrical System427%
Speed Control397%
Fuel System264%
Steering254%
Other153%
Brakes153%
Body & Structure102%
Seats81%
Suspension51%
Visibility & Wipers41%
Seat Belts31%
Lighting31%
Tires & Wheels31%
Latches & Locks10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2011 Ford Mustang have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21E013000AirbagsFebruary 16, 2021 · 249 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

21V081000AirbagsFebruary 16, 2021 · 1,067 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

19V001000AirbagsJanuary 7, 2019 · 782,384 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.

16V384000AirbagsMay 31, 2016 · 1,892,343 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

15V319000AirbagsMay 28, 2015 · 1,018,622 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2014 Mustang vehicles manufactured April 6, 2004, to June 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 GT vehicles manufactured February 20, 2004, to September 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2016. Even if interim repairs were performed under safety recall 14V-802, owners must bring their vehicles in for the final remedy. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S21. Note: This recall supersedes safety recall 14V-802.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR... FIRST AT A LITTLE OVER 1000 MILES THE CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO FIRST OR REVERSE WITHOUT A LOT OF FORCING AND DOUBLE CLUTCHING... LOCAL DEALER SAID OF WE NEED TO SWAP YOUR TRANSMISSION FLUID TO FULL SYTHETIC AND IT'LL WORK LIKE NEW. THAT DID NOTHING SOON…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 9, 2011 · crash

AIR FAIL TO DEPLOY WHEN HIT BY A UNINSURED MOTORIST WHO WAS SPEEDING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE DID AN LEGAL LANE CHANGE HIT ME WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN SEAT BELT ON LEFT TURN BLEAKER ON TURNING WHEN SAFE BAM!!! NEVER SEEN IT COMING MY HEAD SLAMMED INTO THE STEEL FAME OF MY 2011 FORD MUSTANG V6…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 31, 2014 · crash

WAS TRAVELING ON A FREEWAY WHEN A THE CARE LOST POWER AND BEGAN SLOWING DOWN. A LITTLE WRENCH ICON APPEARED. I THERE WAS NO PLACE TO PULL OVER SO I TURNED ON FLASHERS AND RODE ON THE HIGHWAY UNTIL THE CARE STOPPED. TRAFFIC BEHIND ME SWERVED TO AVOID MY CAR. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED ON…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 15, 2013

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT500. AFTER DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH FORCE, BOTH REAR WHEELS BEGAN TO SPIN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FISH TAIL AND SPIN OUT OF CONTROL.THE TRACTION CONTROL FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 3, 2010 · crash

DRIVER WAS LEAVING PARKING LOT OF BANK, WHEN SHE STATES GAS PEDAL STUCK. SHE CROSSED 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND STRUCK A BUILDING. DRIVER LATER SUCCUMBED TO INJURIES. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 16, 2012 · crash

2011 Ford Mustang — common questions

Is the 2011 Ford Mustang reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 583 complaints put the 2011 model at #5 of 62 Mustang years. It is one of the Mustang years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Mustang problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (203 complaints), airbags (125 complaints), engine (55 complaints).

Does the 2011 Ford Mustang have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Ford Mustang. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 Ford Mustang under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Mustang years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mustang years to avoid are 2005, 1995, 2007, 2015, 2011, 2012, 2006, 1994, 2016, 2000, 2014, 2008, 2017, 1996, 2013, 1998, 2010, 1999, 2018, 1997, 2001, 2009, 2019, 2003, 2020. The cleanest record among Mustang years belongs to 1981.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.