2021 Ford Mustang Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jun 22, 2026 · 55 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Mustang years
Far fewer complaints than other years 28th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Mustang. That ranks 28th out of 32 Mustang model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (10 complaints, 18%), typically at around 9,000 miles. Complaints mention 4 crashes, 2 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year.

Ford Mustang
A 2024 Ford Mustang GT at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2025.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2021 Ford Mustang problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Fuel System, Gasoline10 · ~9,000 mi
Power Train9
Engine8 · ~700 mi
Electrical System6
Fuel/propulsion System5
Unknown or Other5
Back Over Prevention4 · ~62,896 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3 · ~5,000 mi
Suspension3 · ~5,130 mi
Air Bags2 · ~5,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Fuel System, Gasoline1018%9,000——
Power Train916%———
Engine815%700——
Electrical System611%———
Fuel/propulsion System59%———
Unknown or Other59%———
Back Over Prevention47%62,896——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic35%5,000——
Suspension35%5,130——
Air Bags24%5,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling24%———
Service Brakes24%———
Visibility24%18,900——
Forward Collision Avoidance12%8,000——
Seat Belts12%10——
Steering12%5,800——
Structure12%———
Vehicle Speed Control12%———
Wheels12%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2025, with 19 complaints
2021: 1202112022: 9202292023: 102023102024: 6202462025: 192025192026: 10202610

n = 55 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2021 Ford Mustang recalls (6)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system:body control module/bcmOct 10, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V689000 · 2,101 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpJul 7, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V455000 · 850,318 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Back over prevention:softwareJun 27, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V442000 · 200,237 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Electrical system:body control module/bcmOct 27, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V727000 · 187,922 vehicles

Problem: 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."

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.

Fix: 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.

Air bags:knee bolsterFeb 16, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V083000 · 327 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: 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:curtainDec 16, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V980000 · 93 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: An air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

My vehicle, VIN [XXX], is subject to NHTSA Recall 25V455 (Ford Recall 25S75) involving a defective low-pressure fuel pump that may cause engine hesitation, loss of power, or engine stalling. This recall was announced in July 2025 and remains open on the NHTSA VIN lookup as of June 2026. More than…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Jun 22, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11745538

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…

Structure · received May 17, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11738388

The backup camera goes blank and says to contact Ford

Back Over Prevention · received May 2, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11735290

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle shuddered while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that there was a banging sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated while pulling over to the…

Fuel System, Gasoline · received Apr 7, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11729641

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…

Fuel System, Gasoline · received Mar 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11726929

Other Ford Mustang years

← 2020 Mustang · 2022 Mustang →

See all Ford Mustang problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Mustang?

Owners most often report fuel system, gasoline, power train, engine problems. The top one, fuel system, gasoline, accounts for 10 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Ford Mustang?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2021 Ford Mustang a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Mustang model years, the 2021 has far fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.