Ford Mustang recalls and complaints by year
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Ford Mustang, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)
At a Glance
Total Recalls
196
Total Complaints
11471
Years Covered
1965–2026
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Always check your specific VIN on
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for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Ford Mustang, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
- Coverage spans model years 1965–2026 with 196 recall campaigns and 11471 complaints in NHTSA data.
- Years with the most recall activity: 2015 (11), 2024 (10), and 2022 (9).
- Years with the most complaint volume: 2005 (893), 1995 (829), and 2007 (724).
- Top recall themes: Seats and restraints, Airbags, and Fuel and emissions.
- Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Air bags, Electrical system, Power train.
- Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
- Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Seats and restraints
16 campaigns · Years: 1968–1970, 1976, 1978, 1981, 1984–1985, 1994, 1999–2000, 2015–2017These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.
Airbags
11 campaigns · Years: 1994–1997, 2005–2014, 2017, 2021–2022These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.
Fuel and emissions
11 campaigns · Years: 1976–1977, 1984, 1986–1987, 1993, 1998, 2015, 2021–2022, 2024These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Other
11 campaigns · Years: 1978, 1998–1999, 2003–2004, 2015–2024These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.
Steering and suspension
11 campaigns · Years: 1967, 1974, 1979, 1995, 1998, 2022–2024These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.
Brakes
9 campaigns · Years: 1969, 1979, 1985, 1994–2001, 2015, 2020, 2024These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Electrical
8 campaigns · Years: 1988–1993, 2018–2024These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.
Engine and cooling
8 campaigns · Years: 1972–1973, 1976–1979, 1995, 2015–2017, 2026These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Ford Mustang in NHTSA complaint data are Air bags, Electrical system, Power train.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 2025 | 3 | 5 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting, Power train, Tires. |
| 2024 | 10 | 97 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine, Service brakes. |
| 2023 | 6 | 25 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes. |
| 2022 | 9 | 57 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Steering, Power train. |
| 2021 | 6 | 53 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2020 | 8 | 149 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine, Power train. |
| 2019 | 5 | 164 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Electrical system, Power train. |
| 2018 | 3 | 208 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Power train, Electrical system. |
| 2017 | 6 | 318 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Back over prevention, Structure:body, Electrical system. |
| 2016 | 5 | 468 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Electrical system, Power train. |
| 2015 | 11 | 578 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine, Service brakes. |
| 2014 | 3 | 423 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Power train, Steering. |
| 2013 | 5 | 323 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Power train, Engine. |
| 2012 | 7 | 572 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Power train, Vehicle speed control. |
| 2011 | 6 | 581 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Power train, Power train:manual transmission. |
| 2010 | 6 | 296 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Structure:body, Electrical system. |
| 2009 | 5 | 215 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Electrical system. |
| 2008 | 5 | 381 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Power train. |
| 2007 | 5 | 724 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Electrical system. |
| 2006 | 5 | 505 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Electrical system. |
| 2005 | 5 | 893 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel. |
| 2004 | 1 | 127 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal, Air bags, Tires. |
| 2003 | 1 | 176 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Seat belts, Engine and engine cooling. |
| 2002 | 0 | 159 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Vehicle speed control, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline. |
| 2001 | 1 | 219 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system. |
| 2000 | 2 | 427 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Seat belts:front:retractor. |
| 1999 | 3 | 281 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Vehicle speed control. |
| 1998 | 4 | 297 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe. |
| 1997 | 2 | 231 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Parking brake:conventional, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Seat belts:front:retractor. |
| 1996 | 3 | 329 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline. |
| 1995 | 5 | 829 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan. |
| 1994 | 4 | 496 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Power train:automatic transmission, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline. |
| 1993 | 2 | 132 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator, Electrical system:ignition:switch. |
| 1992 | 1 | 80 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Air bags:frontal, Electrical system:ignition. |
| 1991 | 2 | 98 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Electrical system, Electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash. |
| 1990 | 1 | 119 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Air bags:frontal, Electrical system:ignition. |
| 1989 | 1 | 127 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Electrical system:ignition, Seat belts:front:retractor. |
| 1988 | 1 | 132 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Electrical system:ignition, Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator. |
| 1987 | 1 | 44 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Exterior lighting:headlights, Vehicle speed control. |
| 1986 | 1 | 32 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Electrical system:ignition:switch. |
| 1985 | 2 | 22 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery. |
| 1984 | 3 | 35 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition, Electrical system:ignition:module, Electrical system:ignition:switch. |
| 1983 | 0 | 5 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Steering: steering wheel/handle bar. |
| 1982 | 0 | 1 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Structure:body. |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1980 | 0 | 8 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:drum, Steering:column, Seat belts:front:anchorage. |
| 1979 | 5 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1978 | 4 | 10 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:carburetor system, Electrical system:starter assembly, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan. |
| 1977 | 3 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1976 | 3 | 2 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Electrical system:ignition:module. |
| 1974 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1972 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1971 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1970 | 2 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1969 | 3 | 3 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension:rear, Tires:tread/belt, Fuel/propulsion system. |
| 1968 | 1 | 1 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly. |
| 1967 | 4 | 3 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:drum:wheel cylinders, Fuel system, gasoline. |
| 1966 | 0 | 5 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Tires:tread/belt, Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly. |
| 1965 | 0 | 6 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly, Tires:tread/belt, Tires. |
What to Do Next
- Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
- If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
- If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
Recall Evidence by Year
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved: Air bags , Electrical system and Back over prevention
Other Ford Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Ford models.
- A9513 1981–1998
- Aerostar 1984–1997
- Aspire 1994–1997
- AT9513 1981–1998
- AT9522 1981–1998
- B-750 2002–2002
- B600 1981–1994
- B6000 1986–1986
- B700 1981–1994
- B7000 1981–1987
- B800 1995–1997
- Bronco 1981–2027
- Bronco II 1983–1990
- Bronco Sport 2021–2027
- C-Max 2013–2018
- C600 1981–1986
- C700 1981–1986
- C7000 1981–1987
- C800 1981–1990
- C8000 1981–1990
- CF6000 1981–1990
- CF7000 1981–1996
- CF8000 1981–1997
- CFT8000 1981–1997
- Contour 1995–2000
- Crown Victoria 1987–2011
- CT800 1981–1983
- CT8000 1981–1990
- E-100 1981–1983
- E-150 1981–2014
- E-250 1981–2014
- E-350 1981–2027
- E-450 1995–2027
- E-550 2002–2015
- Ecosport 2018–2027
- Edge 2007–2027
- Escape 2001–2027
- Escort 1981–2002
- Excursion 2000–2005
- Expedition 1997–2027
- Explorer 1991–2027
- Explorer Sport 2003–2003
- Explorer Sport Trac 2001–2010
- F-100 1981–1983
- F-150 1981–2027
- F-250 1981–2027
- F-350 1981–2027
- F-450 1999–2027
- F-550 1999–2027
- F-600 1981–2027
- F-650 2000–2027
- F-700 1981–1998
- F-750 2000–2027
- F-800 1981–2002
- F-Super Duty 1981–1997
- F6000 1981–1985
- F7000 1981–1987
- F8000 1981–1987
- Fairmont 1981–1983
- Festiva 1988–1994
- Fiesta 2011–2027
- Five Hundred 2005–2007
- Flex 2009–2027
- Focus 2000–2027
- Freestar 2004–2007
- Freestyle 2005–2007
- FT800 1981–1990
- FT8000 1981–1987
- FT900 1981–1998
- Fusion 2006–2020
- Granada 1981–1982
- GT 2004–2022
- L800 1981–1984
- L8000 1981–1997
- L8501 1997–1998
- L9000 1981–1997
- LA9000 1981–1997
- LL9000 1981–1997
- LN600 1981–1985
- LN700 1981–1986
- LN7000 1981–1997
- LN800 1981–1984
- LN8000 1981–1997
- LN9000 1981–1997
- LNT800 1981–1984
- LNT8000 1981–1997
- LNT9000 1981–1997
- LS8000 1981–1997
- LS9000 1981–1997
- LT800 1981–1984
- LT8000 1981–1997
- LT9000 1981–1997
- LTA9000 1981–1997
- LTD 1981–1986
- LTL9000 1981–1997
- LTS8000 1981–1997
- LTS9000 1981–1997
- Maverick 2022–2027
- Mustang Mach-E 2021–2027
- P600 1981–1994
- P800 1995–1997
- Probe 1988–1997
- Ranger 1982–2027
- Taurus 1986–2019
- Taurus X 2008–2009
- Tempo 1984–1994
- Thunderbird 1981–2005
- Transit 2015–2027
- Transit Connect 2010–2027
- Windstar 1995–2003
⚠️ Important Safety Information
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.