YearToAvoid

2021 Ford Mustang Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2021 Ford Mustang ranks 18th worst out of 21 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 15 and a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 55 complaints and 6 recalls for this year, with Fuel System issues topping the list at 27% of complaints.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
15/100
#18 of 21 Mustang years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
55
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
6
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Fuel System
Best nearby year
2023
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
20 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2021 Ford Mustang problems

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

  1. Fuel System15 (27%)
  2. Engine11 (20%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain9 (16%)
  4. Electrical System6 (11%)
  5. Brakes5 (9%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (9%)
  7. Other5 (9%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (7%)
  9. Airbags2 (4%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers2 (4%)

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

What owners report

  • Brake pedal was depressed while slowing to a stop but the vehicle failed to respond and lunged forward into another vehicle.
  • Steering wheel independently veered to the right at highway speed, causing a crash into a barrier and airbag deployment.
  • Rear-view mirror vibrated above 50 MPH and was replaced multiple times along with a new driveshaft without fixing the problem.
  • Driver's and passenger's seat belts slid up from the shoulder to the neck area during normal driving.
  • Engine experienced random misfires with loss of power and illuminated check engine light shortly after purchase.
  • Brake fluid low warning light failed to illuminate despite low fluid levels, and the dealer could not correct the issue.
2021 Ford Mustang complaints: complaints filed per month5Nov 2021Dec 2022Oct 2023Aug 2024May 2025Nov 2025Apr 2026
55 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2021 to Jun 2026; peak Jul 2025 (5).

2021 Ford Mustang recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V689000Oct 10, 2025Electrical System2,101 vehicles

    Electrical system:body control module/bcm

    Ford 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."

    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 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C55. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 17, 2025.

  2. NHTSA 25V455000Jul 7, 2025Fuel System850,318 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Ford 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.

    Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.

  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 2021 Ford Mustang →

2021 Ford Mustang fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
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.

2021 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
2019Best20149623
2020Caution40120823
2021Best1555622
2022Caution1049922
2023Best015622

All Ford Mustang years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Ford Mustang reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Mustang ranks 18th worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 15, earning a Best verdict relative to other Mustang years.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA data shows Fuel System complaints lead at 27% of the total, followed by Engine issues at 20% and Transmission & Powertrain issues at 16%.
Does the 2021 Ford Mustang have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2021 Mustang, covering the electrical system, fuel system, collision avoidance cameras, and airbags, with none marked do-not-drive.
What year Mustang should I avoid?
Among tracked years, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes between 75 and 100, much higher than the 2021 model's index of 15.
How many complaints does NHTSA have on file for the 2021 Mustang?
NHTSA has logged 55 complaints for the 2021 Mustang, including 4 crashes and 2 injuries, with no fires or deaths reported.

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.