2020 Ford Mustang Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 Ford Mustang carries a Caution verdict, ranked 13 of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 40 driven by 120 complaints and 8 recall campaigns, including brake pedal bracket and rearview camera issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #13 of 21 Mustang years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 120
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2020 Ford Mustang problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine31 (26%)
- Electrical System27 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain25 (21%)
- Other22 (18%)
- Brakes18 (15%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras15 (13%)
- Airbags8 (7%)
- Fuel System8 (7%)
- Structure & Body8 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report brakes failing to stop the car, with the vehicle continuing to move forward or spinning its tires even with the brake pedal fully depressed.
- Some drivers describe unintended acceleration or loss of braking control that led to hitting a curb, tree, or wall.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in front-end and side-impact collisions despite significant vehicle damage.
- One owner reported an under-hood fire starting shortly after parking, following a recent software update that disabled collision detection and traction control.
- Several complaints describe crashes where the driver felt the vehicle 'wouldn't stop' even with steady brake pressure.
2020 Ford Mustang recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V695000Oct 13, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,448,655 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
- 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.
- NHTSA 23V727000Oct 27, 2023Electrical System187,922 vehicles
Electrical system:body control module/bcm
Ford 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."
Risk: Without a low brake fluid warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, reducing braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C35.
2020 Ford Mustang fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 27 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.
2020 compared with other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Ford Mustang reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Mustang has a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 40, ranking 13th out of 21 model years for this model.
- Why is the 2020 Mustang rated Caution instead of by its complaint index alone?
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2020 Mustang requiring a dealer visit, which capped the verdict at Caution despite a moderate complaint index of 40.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford Mustang?
- The top problem area is Engine, with 31 complaints (26% share), followed by Electrical System (27 complaints, 23%) and Transmission & Powertrain (25 complaints, 21%).
- Does the 2020 Mustang have brake-related recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 20V573000 covers a brake pedal bracket that may fracture during sudden stopping on 2020 Mustangs with automatic transmissions, and brake complaints show a median failure mileage of 6,740 miles.
- How does the 2020 Mustang compare to other years?
- The 2020 model's complaint index of 40 is higher than 2019 (20, Best) and 2021 (15, Best), placing it among the worse years despite not being the single worst-ranked year, which is 2007 with an index of 100.