NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
In cold temperatures, the windshield wipers may only operate on high speed and the washer system may not work properly.
This page covers 4 recalls, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2026 Ford Mustang.
18–26 mpg combined
9–13.1 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 3 tested variants for this model year.
The 2024 to 2026 Ford Mustang received five-star ratings across all NHTSA crash-test categories for US-market vehicles. The model earned five stars in overall crashworthiness, frontal crash, side crash, rollover, and side pole tests. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a significant redesign occurs, so this five-star rating covers the entire 2024 to 2026 range shown here.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2026 Ford Mustang has 4 recalls, the most serious being two engine defects on 2.3L-equipped models: missing or misinstalled piston circlips that can cause engine failure and a sudden loss of drive power, and a cylinder head manufacturing flaw that can allow oil to leak onto hot engine or exhaust components and start a fire.
Both engine issues share the same severity level and together represent the primary safety concern for this model year. The circlip defect can cause the pistons to fail internally, leaving the engine unable to send power to the wheels at speed, which can catch a driver off guard with no warning. The oil leak issue stems from ball plugs in the cylinder head that can fail and allow engine oil to escape onto hot surfaces nearby, creating a fire risk that may not be immediately visible to the driver.
The remaining recall affects windshield wiper operation in cold weather. When temperatures drop low enough, the wipers can get stuck running only at their highest speed setting, and the windshield washer system may stop working entirely. A driver who needs to clear road spray or light precipitation at a moderate wiper pace loses that control, and without washer fluid, debris or grime on the glass cannot be cleared, reducing forward visibility on the road.
At a glance
What can fail
In cold temperatures, the windshield wipers may only operate on high speed and the washer system may not work properly.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper motor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The circlips that hold pistons to connecting rods may be missing or improperly installed. This can damage pistons and cause engine failure, resulting in loss of power.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the engine if needed before delivery to customers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine piston circlips may have been installed incorrectly during manufacturing, causing pistons to fail and damage the engine, resulting in loss of driving power.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or incorrectly installed circlips and replace the engine if necessary, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The cylinder head may have been made improperly, causing the ball plugs inside to fail and leak oil.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the cylinder head assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
