NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The brake fluid level sensor may fail to trigger the warning light when brake fluid runs low, leaving drivers unaware of a potential brake system problem.
This page covers 8 recalls, 54 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Ford Mustang.
18–25 mpg combined
9.4–13.1 L/100km
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints filed on the 2021 Ford Mustang cluster most heavily around the fuel system and powertrain. Owners frequently report stalling and intermittent loss of power at various speeds, with some describing the engine cutting out and then restarting without a warning light. Several owners note the vehicle has stalled multiple times before they could get it to a shop. Powertrain complaints include shuddering under acceleration accompanied by a banging noise, as well as general drivability concerns. A handful of engine complaints mention coolant intrusion into cylinders causing misfires and a check engine light. Outside those main systems, a few owners report the backup camera going blank, and one isolated report describes a driver door opening to the secondary latch position at highway speed.
54
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Ford Mustang has 8 recalls, the most serious being a low-pressure fuel pump that can fail without warning and stall the engine while driving, raising the risk of a crash.
Two airbag recalls affect the front passenger knee airbag, which has a weld that may not hold during deployment, leaving the airbag unable to inflate properly in a crash. The side curtain airbags on certain vehicles may also fail to inflate correctly because the inflators contain the wrong amount of compressed gas, reducing protection in a side impact or rollover. Note that recalls 2 through 5 represent two underlying airbag defects, each filed in multiple jurisdictions, so there are two distinct problems here rather than four.
On the electrical side, the brake fluid level sensor may not trigger the dashboard warning light when fluid runs low, meaning the brakes could be operating with reduced fluid pressure without the driver knowing. Prior repair attempts under an earlier recall did not fully resolve this issue for some vehicles, which is why it appears in more than one filing. There is also a software issue where the rearview camera can display a blank image when reversing, cutting off the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake fluid level sensor may fail to trigger the warning light when brake fluid runs low, leaving drivers unaware of a potential brake system problem.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle's body control module software to restore proper warning indicator function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, causing the engine to stall while driving.
What the fix does
Ford is developing a fix. A second letter with repair instructions will be mailed when available, expected in Q2 2026.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image or fail to clear the image after backing up.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake fluid level sensor may fail to trigger the dashboard warning light when brake fluid runs low, leaving you unaware of a potential brake system problem.
What the fix does
Dealers will update your vehicle's body control module software at no cost to restore the warning indicator function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A weld defect in the front passenger knee airbag may prevent it from inflating correctly during a crash.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to visit a dealer, who will replace the front passenger knee airbag.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger knee air bag may have an insufficient weld, which could cause it to deploy improperly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger knee air bag at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side curtain airbag inflators may not work correctly in some vehicles, so the side curtain airbags might not inflate during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the side curtain airbags in your vehicle at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side curtain air bags may contain the wrong amount of compressed gas, causing them to inflate improperly in a side impact crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the side curtain air bags at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
