VehicleVerdict

2026 Ford Mustang problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2026 Ford Mustang — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

6

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2026 compare to other Mustang years?

Mustang NHTSA complaints by model year, 2026 highlighted893 complaints1965: 6 complaints1966: 5 complaints1967: 3 complaints1968: 1 complaints1969: 3 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 2 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 10 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 8 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 5 complaints1984: 35 complaints1985: 22 complaints1986: 32 complaints1987: 44 complaints1988: 132 complaints1989: 127 complaints1990: 119 complaints1991: 98 complaints1992: 80 complaints1993: 132 complaints1994: 496 complaints1995: 829 complaints1996: 329 complaints1997: 231 complaints1998: 297 complaints1999: 281 complaints2000: 427 complaints2001: 219 complaints2002: 159 complaints2003: 177 complaints2004: 127 complaints2005: 893 complaints2006: 506 complaints2007: 728 complaints2008: 384 complaints2009: 215 complaints2010: 296 complaints2011: 583 complaints2012: 573 complaints2013: 325 complaints2014: 424 complaints2015: 593 complaints2016: 491 complaints2017: 337 complaints2018: 234 complaints2019: 187 complaints2020: 174 complaints2021: 67 complaints2022: 73 complaints2023: 28 complaints2024: 115 complaints2025: 15 complaints2026: 6 complaints
Mustang NHTSA complaints by model year, 2026 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mustang years to avoid →

What are the most common 2026 Ford Mustang problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes117%
Electrical System117%
Engine117%
Other117%
Transmission117%
Visibility & Wipers117%

Does the 2026 Ford Mustang have recalls?

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

26V205000EngineMarch 31, 2026 · 278 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles. The engine piston circlips may have been incorrectly installed during manufacturing, which can result in piston failure and engine damage, leading to a loss of drive power.

Consequence

An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or mis-installed circlips and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S23. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.

25V828000EngineDecember 1, 2025 · 6 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.

Consequence

An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a fire. In addition, the loss of oil can result in engine seizure and loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still within dealership inventory and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 24, 2025.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The 2026 Ford Mustang was off and rolled away out of the driveway colliding with tree, The incident was caught on my Ring Camera, the electrical system vehicle had acting strangely and kept giving warning the trunk was open and had to go open and close it multiple times. once i parked the vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 31, 2026 · crash

“Description On your vehicles engine, one or more of the clips that retain the engines pistons to their connecting rods may be mis-installed or missing. Safety Risk A mis-installed clip may result in an audible knocking noise that increases over time. Progression of this issue can lead to piston…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 1, 2026

“Description On your vehicles engine, one or more of the clips that retain the engines pistons to their connecting rods may be mis-installed or missing. Safety Risk A mis-installed clip may result in an audible knocking noise that increases over time. Progression of this issue can lead to piston…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 1, 2026

“The 2026 Ford Mustang was off and rolled away out of the driveway colliding with tree, The incident was caught on my Ring Camera, the electrical system vehicle had acting strangely and kept giving warning the trunk was open and had to go open and close it multiple times. once i parked the vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 31, 2026 · crash

“Description On your vehicles engine, one or more of the clips that retain the engines pistons to their connecting rods may be mis-installed or missing. Safety Risk A mis-installed clip may result in an audible knocking noise that increases over time. Progression of this issue can lead to piston…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 1, 2026

2026 Ford Mustang — common questions

Is the 2026 Ford Mustang reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2026 Ford Mustang have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2026 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 2026 Ford Mustang?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2026 Ford Mustang earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.