2020 Ford Mustang: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 117 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (18% of complaints); the 2021 and 2022 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 3 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Oct 2025
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 117 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I suspect an electrical problem/short is causing my passenger side window to open and close about half an inch uncontrollably. This has been a minor inconvenience but last time it happened, it triggered the passenger door to open when driving. I had to pull over to manually secure the door. Very troubling safety issue.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2026
“I own a 2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost with approximately 75,000 miles. My vehicle developed a check engine light with diagnostic codes P0300 (random misfire) and P0301 (cylinder 1 misfire). I also began experiencing white smoke from the exhaust during cold starts. An independent repair shop suspects coolant is entering cylinder 1 due to a possible head gasket failure. They have recommended removing the cylinder head to inspect for cracks, check for warping, pressure test the head, inspect the cylinder walls, and replace the head gasket and related components if no further engine damage is found. The vehicle was properly maintained, and these symptoms appeared unexpectedly.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2026
“My car has always been a little rough on shifting since around 40k miles when I got it. I never really noticed after awhile and never had any problems. No lights flashing or codes no issues with anything under the hood. The other day my trans light popped on, but nothing was wrong the car was still driving fine. I took it in to get looked at the first shop said no codes were popping up and then I took it to another and they said the whole transmission now needs to be replaced. I went to look around and apparently a lot of people have issues with the transmission on the 2020.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“Check engine light came on, car lost power on highway. Car continues to have the same issue after repairs have been made. Ford App says engine misfire, after every repair. Ford mechanics fix spark plugs, coils, electrical. None of which has fixed the issue of stalling on the highway which poses risk of me the driver and others driving on the highway. The only light that comes on is engine light.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2026
“My vehicle would suddenly downshifted to first, constantly seek for gears, loss of traction from not finding gears, and transmission died at 120k miles.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2026
“My 2020 Ford Mustang Ecoboost has a (P008A) AND (PO18B/PO18C) The fuel pressure fuel system you low and fuel pressure Sensor B is a well documented defects and has a customer satisfaction program 21N10 (or related TSBs). The dealer said there are no recalls under my vin number and vehicle was not repaired. I sent a certified letter to ford March 29, 2026 to Ford Motor Company and I have had no response. 2015 thru 2022 Mustangs have this well known defect. I am not sure why the 2020 mustang has not been issued a recall. It's the same identical part as the other years Mustangs that have been recalled”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2026
“My backup camera is inverted (mirrored), causing safety concerns.( left is right). I am waiting for the 26C11/NHTSA 26V-123 software patch.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2026
“I had parked my car in a spot at an office building. As I was about to put the vehicle in park it lurched forward going over a standard curb across a sidewalk and then into the brick wall of the building. The air bag did not deploy. The car lurched about ten feet total before hitting the wall.”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Feb 2026
“THIS IS A SAFETY RISK: TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LEAKING Oil is leaking hard out of the Transmission oil cooler, that sits underneath the car. This oil is being sprayed onto exhaust system generating oil smoke and potentially a fire hazard, when hot oil hits warm exhaust pipes.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2026
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Dec 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The brake pedal bracket may fracture during sudden stopping.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal bracket assembly, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S52.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
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.
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.
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."
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may broadcast an unintended faulted signal to the modules controlling the reverse camera, reverse light, and driver assist features, which may disable all of these functions.
Remedy: Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 15, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S37.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles. The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S21.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped a forward-looking camera. The camera may be misaligned to the vehicle and features that are dependent on the camera such as Pre-Collision Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping System, Driver Alert, and Auto High Beam Control may not function as intended.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will perform the Lane Departure Warning System camera alignment procedure, free of charge. This recall began June 17, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S26.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Mustang by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Ford Mustang reliable?
NHTSA has 117 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 2020 Ford Mustang. The most complained-about area is engine (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2020 Ford Mustang problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 24,400 miles or less.
Does the 2020 Ford Mustang have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.