2021 Ford Mustang problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2021 Ford Mustang is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 67 owner complaints run below the Mustang median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (15), engine (10), and transmission (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Mustang years?

Mustang NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mustang years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Ford Mustang problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Fuel System	15	22%	▲ up
Engine	10	15%	▼ down
Transmission	9	13%	▼ down
Electrical System	6	9%	▼ down
Driver Assistance	5	7%	▼ down
Brakes	5	7%	▼ down
Other	5	7%	▼ down
Suspension	3	4%	▲ up
Airbags	2	3%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	2	3%	▼ down
Body & Structure	1	1%	▼ down
Speed Control	1	1%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	1	1%	▼ down
Seat Belts	1	1%	▼ down
Steering	1	1%	▼ down

Does the 2021 Ford Mustang have recalls?

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

25V689000Electrical SystemOctober 10, 2025 · 2,101 units

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."

Consequence

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.

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.

25V455000Fuel SystemJuly 7, 2025 · 850,318 units

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.

Consequence

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

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. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 16, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated 2nd Quarter 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.

25V442000Driver AssistanceJune 27, 2025 · 200,237 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

23V727000Electrical SystemOctober 27, 2023 · 187,922 units

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."

Consequence

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.

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.

22V083000AirbagsFebruary 16, 2022 · 327 units

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.

Consequence

An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

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.

21V980000AirbagsDecember 16, 2021 · 93 units

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."

Consequence

An air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“While entering an on-ramp and just before merging onto the freeway the vehicle failed to accelerate and I lost complete power from the engine. The vehicle was still powered on, but produced no combustion from the engine. The check engine light illuminated and a message appeared on the dash stating…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 24, 2025

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 1, 2022 · crash

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 1, 2022 · crash

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 1, 2022 · crash

“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the pre-collision sensor alert warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he was concerned that the sensor had malfunctioned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · January 19, 2023

2021 Ford Mustang — common questions

Is the 2021 Ford Mustang reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 67 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Mustang year, with 6 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2021 Mustang problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (15 complaints), engine (10 complaints), transmission (9 complaints).

Does the 2021 Ford Mustang have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Ford Mustang. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.

How safe is the 2021 Ford Mustang?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Ford Mustang earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2021 compare to other Mustang years?

What are the most common 2021 Ford Mustang problems?

Does the 2021 Ford Mustang have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2021 Ford Mustang — common questions

Is the 2021 Ford Mustang reliable?

What are the most common 2021 Mustang problems?

Does the 2021 Ford Mustang have recalls?

Which Ford Mustang years should you avoid?

How safe is the 2021 Ford Mustang?

Related