Photo: Jeremy from Sydney, Australia / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2021 Ford Mustang: common problems and reliability
· 6th generationAn average Mustang year.
110 owner complaints, most about fuel system. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 Mustang?The 2021 Ford Mustang has 110 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are fuel system and gasoline. Owners most often flag mt-82 manual transmission shift fork failures: recurrent. owners report plastic shift forks breaking, sometimes on new cars from the factory; some suggest replacing with brass units.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Ford Mustang vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Mustang years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the Mustang?
Across the 30 Mustang model years we track, complaint volume runs from 30 (2023) to 868 (2005). With 110 complaints, the 2021 Mustang sits below the model's median of 271.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 Mustang
air bags:side/window:curtain
Campaign 21V980000Ford 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."
air bags:knee bolster
Campaign 22V083000Ford 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.
electrical system:body control module/bcm
Campaign 23V727000Ford 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."
back over prevention:software
Campaign 25V442000Ford 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.
Show 2 more recalls
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 25V455000Ford 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.
electrical system:body control module/bcm
Campaign 25V689000Ford 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."
What owners report on the 6th generation Mustang
Owners generally view the 6th generation Mustang as a solid, reliable daily driver with strong powertrains, particularly the 5.0 V8, which is frequently described as dependable.
- Air conditioning failure (compressor, evaporator core, switches)
Very frequent. Multiple owners across 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019 model years report AC system failures, some requiring full system replacement with dashboard removal.
- MT-82 manual transmission shift fork failures
Recurrent. Owners report plastic shift forks breaking, sometimes on new cars from the factory; some suggest replacing with brass units.
- 2015 model year fit and finish issues
Recurrent. Misaligned body panels and interior vibrations reported on 2015 models, largely resolved by 2016.
- Battery drain and electrical issues
Recurrent. Owners report batteries dropping to 9 volts, parasitic draws, and "deep sleep mode" issues on 2016, 2017, and 2021 models; a Ford technician recommends Motorcraft batteries with a BMS reset.
- Sync 3 infotainment update failures
Recurrent. Owners report updates stalling or failing on 2016 models, requiring specific USB formatting, engine running during update, or third-party tools.
Owner insights for the 6th generation Mustang. Read the full 6th generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Mustang listings typically run $16,180–$35,387.
Other Mustang model years
Compare every Mustang year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Mustang against its rivals
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