Ford Mustang Latches/locks/linkages Problems
Owners have filed 131 complaints with NHTSA about latches/locks/linkages problems on the Ford Mustang across 16 model years. The 2017 model year has the most (29). The words owners use most often: “door ajar” (23% of reports).
- 131latches/locks/linkages complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 71%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Door ajar: mentioned in 30 of 131 complaints (23%)
- Side doors: mentioned in 8 of 131 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do latches/locks/linkages problems happen?
Based on 73 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 131 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
Ford Mustang latches/locks/linkages complaints by model year
| Model year | Latches/locks/linkages complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Mustang | 2 | 4% | 23,881 |
| 2019 Mustang | 6 | 4% | 75,500 |
| 2018 Mustang | 12 | 6% | 50,000 |
| 2017 Mustang | 29 | 11% | 60,000 |
| 2016 Mustang | 27 | 7% | 59,050 |
| 2015 Mustang | 21 | 5% | 72,478 |
| 2011 Mustang | 1 | 0% | 13,600 |
| 2007 Mustang | 4 | 1% | 13,568 |
| 2005 Mustang | 5 | 1% | 518 |
| 2003 Mustang | 1 | 1% | 163,035 |
| 2000 Mustang | 4 | 1% | 47,000 |
| 1999 Mustang | 3 | 1% | 80,000 |
| 1998 Mustang | 4 | 2% | — |
| 1997 Mustang | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1996 Mustang | 4 | 2% | — |
| 1995 Mustang | 7 | 1% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Model years: 2015
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Model years: 2017
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Mustang vehicles. The return spring for the driver side interior door handle may come loose, allowing the driver's door to unlatch in a side impact crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
Risk: If the door unlatches in a crash it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver-side interior door handle and repair the return spring, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 17C04.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Model years: 2015
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owned a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the driver's side door independently opened. The failure caused severe wind noise to enter the vehicle, and the door ajar warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH with his daughter inside the vehicle, the driverâs and passengerâs side doors opened unexpectedly. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed…
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver's side door suddenly unlocked and became slightly ajar. The contact immediately opened and closed the door, and then securely locked the door. The contact became aware of information…
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the passengerâs and driverâs side door latches unlocked while driving approximately 70 - 75 MPH, and the doors became slightly opened. The contact grabbed the interior handle and closed the door. The contact had received information…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Mustang. The contact recently purchased the vehicle. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who refused to inspect the door latch codes. The contact was…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Mustangs have latches/locks/linkages problems?
No. NHTSA has 131 owner complaints about latches/locks/linkages for the Ford Mustang. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Mustang latches/locks/linkages?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list latches/locks/linkages. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about latches/locks/linkages problems on the Ford Mustang?
The most frequent phrase is “door ajar”, in 30 of 131 complaints, followed by “side doors” (8).
Other Ford Mustang problems
- Air Bags problems (2,316)
- Power Train problems (1,060)
- Electrical System problems (850)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (762)
- Engine problems (524)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (498)
- Structure problems (481)
- Steering problems (285)
See all Ford Mustang problems.