2020 Ford Mustang Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
40/100
#10 most-complained of 16 Mustang years
The 2020 Ford Mustang has a Complaint Index of 40 and ranks 10th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Good" rating relative to other Mustang years. It has 120 complaints, 8 recalls, and no deaths reported.
- Complaints
- 120
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 13 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 27 hwy
Top 2020 Ford Mustang problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report the brakes failing to stop the car, with the vehicle accelerating or the tires spinning even with the brake pedal fully applied, in some cases leading to a crash.
- Some drivers describe the car surging forward unexpectedly while braking in stop-and-go traffic, lasting roughly a minute before recurring.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during front-end collisions despite significant vehicle damage.
- One owner reported a fire coming from underneath the hood after a recent software update, with the collision detection and traction control systems disabled and unable to be reactivated.
- A seat belt was reported to have restrained the driver in a head-on collision, but the driver still felt the car did not stop properly when the brake was applied.
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?
- Relative to other Mustang model years, the 2020 rates "Good," with a Complaint Index of 40 and a rank of 10th worst out of 16 years tracked by NHTSA.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford Mustang?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Engine issues lead at 26% of complaints (31 total), followed by Electrical System at 23% (27 complaints) and Transmission & Powertrain at 21% (25 complaints).
- Does the 2020 Ford Mustang have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2020 Mustang, covering areas including the rearview camera, brake pedal bracket, forward-looking camera alignment, and a Transmission Not In Park warning chime. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2020 Mustang compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 40, the 2020 Mustang performs better than years like 2011 (100) and 2012 (87), but worse than 2021 (13) and 2023 (0), which rank as the best years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Ford Mustang?
- EPA rates the 2020 Mustang at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.