YearToAvoid

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 5 Mustang Mach-E years

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E ranks worst of 5 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100, 344 complaints, and 13 recalls. Electrical System issues make up 44% of complaints, followed by Collision Avoidance & Cameras at 31%.

Complaints
344
Recalls
13
Crashes / fires
14 / 1
Injuries / deaths
9 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
93
100 city / 86 hwy

Top 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System152 (44%)
  2. Collision Avoidance & Cameras108 (31%)
  3. Engine53 (15%)
  4. Other50 (15%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain50 (15%)
  6. Fuel System47 (14%)
  7. Brakes31 (9%)
  8. Lane Departure31 (9%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers20 (6%)
  10. Steering14 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking or pulling into a driveway, sometimes crashing into walls, homes, or other vehicles.
  • Pre-collision warning systems reportedly activate and are followed by unexpected acceleration instead of braking.
  • Collision sensors have failed to detect nearby vehicles while parking, leading to low-speed crashes.
  • Brake pedal application reportedly failed to slow the vehicle in one case, resulting in a crash and injuries.
  • Door latches have reportedly jammed or malfunctioned, in some cases contributing to a vehicle being taken to a repair shop after a lien sale.
  • Some owners describe erratic electrical system behavior with no clear cause identified by the dealership.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E complaints: complaints filed per quarter652021 Q12021 Q42022 Q32023 Q22024 Q12024 Q42025 Q32026 Q2
570 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2021 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q3 (65).

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E recalls

13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V417000Jun 30, 2026Transmission & Powertrain42,784 vehicles

    Power train:driveline:differential unit

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Mustang Mach E vehicles. The rear differential pinion shaft may fracture.

    Risk: Differential pinion shaft fracture may result in a loss of drive power, or unintended vehicle movement if the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the rear differential assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in late December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S50.

  2. NHTSA 25V513000Aug 8, 2025Brakes8 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mach-E vehicles that were repaired incorrectly under recall 24V777. An Over-The-Air (OTA) update to the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) may result in a loss of power brake assist, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, and driver assistance features.

    Risk: A loss of power brake assist can increase the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, a disabled antilock brake system and/or stability control system can result in a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the ABS calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S81.

  3. NHTSA 25V404000Jun 13, 2025Electrical System197,432 vehicles

    Electrical system:body control module:software

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Mustang Mach E vehicles. In the event of a low battery charge, the electronic door latches may remain locked once the driver or front passenger exits and shuts the door, possibly trapping someone who is unable to use the inside door release handles, such as a child in the back seat.

    Risk: The inability to enter or exit the vehicle in an emergency increases the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and the Secondary On-Board Diagnostic Control Module C (SOBDMC) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to 2021-2025 Mustang Mach-E owners September 12, 2025. Additionally, Owner notification letters were mailed to 2024-2025 Mustang Mach-E owners July 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S65.

See all 13 recalls for the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E →

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E fuel economy and fuel cost

City
100 MPG
Highway
86 MPG
Combined
93 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Electricity
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other Mustang Mach-E years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Avoid1003441393
2022Caution50137995
2023Avoid75123695.5

All Ford Mustang Mach-E years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2021 Mustang Mach-E has the highest Complaint Index (100) of the 5 model years with data, and it carries an 'Avoid' verdict relative to other Mach-E years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E?
The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 152 complaints and 44% of all reported issues, including one fire.
Does the 2021 Mustang Mach-E have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2021 Mustang Mach-E, covering the rear differential, ABS calibration, door latches, and high-voltage battery contactors.
How does the 2021 Mach-E compare to other years?
NHTSA data shows the 2021 model has a Complaint Index of 100, higher than 2022 (50), 2023 (75), 2024 (25), and 2025 (0), making 2021 the worst-ranked year for complaints.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.