YearToAvoid

2019 Ford Mustang Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2019 Ford Mustang ranks 17th of 21 model years with a complaint index of 20 and 149 complaints, earning a Best verdict relative to other Mustang years. Six recalls apply, mostly electrical, none marked do-not-drive.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
20/100
#17 of 21 Mustang years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
149
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
6
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2021
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23
20 city / 27.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2019 Ford Mustang problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine62 (42%)
  2. Electrical System32 (21%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain28 (19%)
  4. Other19 (13%)
  5. Structure & Body14 (9%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (7%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (5%)
  8. Steering6 (4%)
  9. Brakes5 (3%)
  10. Lane Departure3 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Instrument panel cluster goes blank at start-up, sometimes repeating within the first month of ownership.
  • Engine has made metallic grinding noises followed by sudden lock-up while driving at highway speed.
  • Backup camera fails in reverse while multiple warning lights (traction control, blind spot, hill start assist) illuminate at once.
  • Front and rear tires have vibrated and imploded while driving at low speed.
  • Automatic emergency braking has failed to activate despite dealers finding no diagnostic codes.
  • Vehicle stalls and loses power delivery, with drive mode selection becoming unresponsive.
2019 Ford Mustang complaints: complaints filed per quarter132019 Q22020 Q22021 Q22022 Q32023 Q32024 Q32025 Q32026 Q3
149 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q3 (13).

2019 Ford Mustang recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V372000Jun 9, 2026Electrical System2,349 vehicles

    Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 19V076. At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

    Risk: A blank instrument cluster that fails to display critical safety information, such as vehicle speed or safety system warnings, increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C27. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 25V572000Sep 3, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,456,417 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

    Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

  3. NHTSA 25V442000Jun 27, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras200,237 vehicles

    Back over prevention:software

    Ford 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.

    Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

See all 6 recalls for the 2019 Ford Mustang →

2019 Ford Mustang fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
27.5 MPG
Combined
23 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
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.

2019 compared with other Mustang years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Good45265621
2018Good25193323
2019Best20149623
2020Caution40120823
2021Best1555622

All Ford Mustang years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Ford Mustang reliable?
Compared to other Mustang model years, 2019 ranks well. It has a complaint index of 20 and ranks 17th worst out of 21 years, earning a Best verdict, with 149 total NHTSA complaints logged.
What is the top problem area for the 2019 Ford Mustang?
Engine complaints lead at 42% of all reported issues (62 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 60,528.5 miles. Electrical System issues follow at 21% and Transmission & Powertrain at 19%.
Does the 2019 Ford Mustang have any recalls?
NHTSA lists six recall campaigns for the 2019 Mustang, covering the electrical system, transmission and powertrain, and collision avoidance cameras. None are marked do-not-drive.
How does 2019 compare to other Mustang years to avoid?
Years like 2007 and 2011 have much higher complaint indexes (100 and 95) and Avoid verdicts, while 2019's index of 20 places it among the better years alongside 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2025.

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.