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2021 Ford Mustang: problems, recalls and reliability

6 recalls and 55 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (20% of complaints); the 2023 model year looks more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Oct 2025

6
recalls
55
owner complaints
0
fire reports
6,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★★
5-star NHTSA overall safety ratingNo fire reportsWeak spot: fuel system, gasoline (20%)Problems reported early (median 6,000 mi)

Common problems

Computed from 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Fuel System, Gasoline (fuel pump, tank, lines)20% · 10 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)16% · 8 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)12% · 6 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System (fuel pump, tank, lines)8% · 4 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)6% · 3 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)6% · 3 complaints
Driver door opened to secondary latch position while driving on the highway at 70mph on 5/16/2026. The warning system came on and driver had to navigate holding the door and stopping safely during high speed traffic to close the door. Will take to dealership when next available opening day. No accident or police were involved. Driver found older warning affecting same year,make,model for recall but unsure if problem was corrected before purchase or if this vin# was included in recall campaign. Campaign 21N10.Owner report · Structure · May 2026
A steady Check Engine Light came on after starting the car; brought it to Ford Dealer of Montebello and they stated coolant leak and got into one of the cylinders that caused misfires.Owner report · Engine · Feb 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started losing automotive power. The vehicle had stalled several times. The vehicle was able to restart, and the loss of automotive power was intermittent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part was not yet available. The contact called a local dealer and the manufacturer several times and was informed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
At highway speed (60-65mph), in 6th gear, cruise control activated, the car began to surge and stall and loose power. Applying more throttle to maintain speed did not help. Pulled to roadside and engine stalled. No check engine light at that time. Re-started with rough idle, check engine light illuminated, attempted to drive again but there was no power, vehicle stalled again. Tried to crank again with crank-no start, check engine light on. Car had approx. 1/4 tank fuel and range of 80 miles to empty. Had to tow. After towing home about 2 hours post-incident, car is still crank-no start. Scanned for codes: P0087:00- 64, P008A:00-EC, P00C6:00-26, P008A:00 fuel pressure low codes.Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera display glitched and switched between a black and a blue colored screen. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that a diagnostic test was needed. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,500.Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Jan 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that parts had not yet been available for six months. The contact was concerned that the vehicle could lose motive power while driving at 65 MPH. The contact stated that if the failure occurred while driving, he could be killed. The contact was informed by two dealers that the parts were not yet available, and there was no available date for the parts' availability. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2025
While entering an on-ramp and just before merging onto the freeway the vehicle failed to accelerate and I lost complete power from the engine. The vehicle was still powered on, but produced no combustion from the engine. The check engine light illuminated and a message appeared on the dash stating to shift the vehicle into neutral. I pulled off on the shoulder and shifted the vehicle into park. I shut the vehicle off and started it back up. After doing so I had full power once again. This is the sixth time this has happened.Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and then vibrated. The contact stated that the failure only occurred while attempting to accelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). However, when the dealer was contacted, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was distorted and black intermittently. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that rearview camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 25V315000(Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 53,291.Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Jun 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that in May 2025, there was a misfire in the engine after refueling with warm fuel. The check engine warning light was flashing on the instrument cluster. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); and associated the misfire with the recall. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2025

When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 6 campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM25V689000 · Oct 2025

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."

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM23V727000 · Oct 2023

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.

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V442000 · Jun 2025

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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP25V455000 · Jul 2025

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.

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.

AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER22V083000 · Feb 2022

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Mustang vehicles. An insufficient weld on the front passenger knee air bag may result in an improper air bag deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger knee air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 8, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S07.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN21V980000 · Dec 2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mustang vehicles. The side curtain air bag inflators may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in improper air bag inflation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 226, "Ejection Mitigation," and 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Remedy: Dealers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on February 3, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C37.

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.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Ford Mustang reliable?

NHTSA has 55 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2021 Ford Mustang. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (20% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2021 Ford Mustang problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 6,000 miles or less.

Does the 2021 Ford Mustang have open recalls?

6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:body control module/bcm. 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.