Ford Mustang years to avoid
Every Ford Mustang model year on file (2012-2025), ranked worst to best by severity index - the share of owner complaints that report a crash, fire, injury or fatality.
2020
Worst year on file
94.1
Severity index
Power Train
Most-reported system
2019
Cleanest year on file
Ranked worst to best
| # | Model year | Severity | Complaints | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2020 Ford Mustang | 94.1 High | 120 | Power Train |
| 2 | 2014 Ford Mustang | 80.8 High | 359 | Air Bags |
| 3 | 2022 Ford Mustang | 71.3 Medium | 50 | Steering |
| 4 | 2017 Ford Mustang | 68.7 Medium | 268 | Back Over Prevention |
| 5 | 2016 Ford Mustang | 67.3 Medium | 380 | Engine |
| 6 | 2015 Ford Mustang | 66.7 Medium | 438 | Unknown Or Other |
| 7 | 2024 Ford Mustang | 61.4 Medium | 84 | Electrical System |
| 8 | 2021 Ford Mustang | 60.0 Medium | 55 | Fuel System |
| 9 | 2013 Ford Mustang | 56.3 Medium | 271 | Air Bags |
| 10 | 2025 Ford Mustang | 54.6 Medium | 19 | Electrical System |
| 11 | 2018 Ford Mustang | 46.9 Medium | 196 | Engine |
| 12 | 2012 Ford Mustang | 46.6 Medium | 469 | Power Train |
| 13 | 2019 Ford Mustang | 34.6 Low | 151 | Engine |
A high rank here means a larger share of this year's complaints described a crash, fire or injury - not that the vehicle is unsafe to drive, and not a reliability or repair-cost rating. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold.
Ford Mustang complaints and recalls by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crashes | Fires | Severity | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 469 | 7 | 20 | 2 | 46.6 Medium | POWER TRAIN |
| 2013 | 271 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 56.3 Medium | AIR BAGS |
| 2014 | 359 | 4 | 30 | 1 | 80.8 High | AIR BAGS |
| 2015 | 438 | 11 | 26 | 7 | 66.7 Medium | UNKNOWN OR OTHER |
| 2016 | 380 | 5 | 13 | 7 | 67.3 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2017 | 268 | 6 | 14 | 8 | 68.7 Medium | BACK OVER PREVENTION |
| 2018 | 196 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 46.9 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2019 | 151 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 34.6 Low | ENGINE |
| 2020 | 120 | 8 | 13 | 5 | 94.1 High | POWER TRAIN |
| 2021 | 55 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 60.0 Medium | FUEL SYSTEM |
| 2022 | 50 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 71.3 Medium | STEERING |
| 2024 | 84 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 61.4 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2025 | 19 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 54.6 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold; a high-volume seller will attract more filings than a rare trim.