Ford Mustang Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 239 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Ford Mustang across 25 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (40). The words owners use most often: “applying brakes” (8% of reports).
- 239service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 36mention a crash
- 14mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- 27%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.
- Applying brakes: mentioned in 19 of 239 complaints (8%)
- Emergency brake: mentioned in 12 of 239 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 65 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 239 complaints, 36 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 14 an injury.
Ford Mustang service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Mustang | 1 | 1% | 100 |
| 2021 Mustang | 3 | 5% | 5,000 |
| 2020 Mustang | 4 | 3% | 26,666 |
| 2017 Mustang | 3 | 1% | 28,000 |
| 2015 Mustang | 5 | 1% | 67,000 |
| 2014 Mustang | 2 | 1% | 74,021 |
| 2013 Mustang | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2012 Mustang | 1 | 0% | 1,350 |
| 2011 Mustang | 6 | 1% | 1,350 |
| 2010 Mustang | 1 | 0% | 15,000 |
| 2009 Mustang | 2 | 1% | 5,822 |
| 2008 Mustang | 4 | 1% | 14,365 |
| 2007 Mustang | 12 | 2% | 14,900 |
| 2006 Mustang | 5 | 1% | 38,378 |
| 2005 Mustang | 7 | 1% | 11,747 |
| 2004 Mustang | 5 | 4% | 12,789 |
| 2003 Mustang | 2 | 1% | 1,837 |
| 2002 Mustang | 6 | 5% | 19,468 |
| 2001 Mustang | 17 | 10% | 57,500 |
| 2000 Mustang | 40 | 13% | 19,158 |
| 1999 Mustang | 22 | 10% | 58,000 |
| 1998 Mustang | 13 | 6% | — |
| 1997 Mustang | 19 | 11% | — |
| 1996 Mustang | 34 | 14% | — |
| 1995 Mustang | 24 | 4% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Service brakes, hydraulic:brake fluid low warning:switch/sensor/float
Model years: 2024
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Mustang vehicles. The brake fluid level sensor may not be properly configured after a Body Control Module (BCM) service update, resulting in a constantly illuminated brake fluid level warning light that can conceal a low brake fluid condition.
Risk: An undetected low brake fluid condition can lead to a loss of braking function, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 12, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S43.
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkagesDo not drive
Model years: 2024
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Mustang vehicles. The brake pedal assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in a loose brake pedal.
Risk: A loose brake pedal can result in a loss of braking function, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repair has been performed. Dealers will replace the brake pedal and bracket assembly, 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 23S61.
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Model years: 2015
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fusion, Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 Mustang vehicles originally sold or ever registered, in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Hawaii. Exposure to certain environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, high humidity, and salt air can cause the brake pedal bumper to corrode and separate from the brake pedal.
Risk: A separated brake pedal bumper can cause the brake lights to illuminate continuously, causing confusion to other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash. On automatic transmission vehicles, a missing brake pedal bumper can allow the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, allowing the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake pedal bumpers and clutch pedal bumpers, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on March 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S02.
Service brakes; service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Model years: 2020
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The brake pedal bracket may fracture during sudden stopping.
Risk: A broken brake pedal could affect braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal bracket assembly, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S52.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Model years: 2015
Problem: Roush Performance Products, Inc. (Roush) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Mustang GT Roush Stage 3 vehicles manufactured April 1, 2015, to October 31, 2015, and equipped with Roush Extreme Duty Half Shafts. The affected vehicles have a brake caliper guide pin that may not have been sufficiently tightened during installation of the half shafts. As a result, the caliper guide pin may loosen while driving, reducing the vehicle's rear braking ability.
Risk: A partial loss of the rear braking system can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Roush will notify owners, and Roush-authorized Ford dealers will tighten the caliper guide pin to the proper specification, free of charge. The recall began in February 2016. Owners may contact Roush customer service at 1-800-597-6874.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle was unoccupied. The contact inspected the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire was about three inches from the back of the engine, close…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the clutch pedal detached from the brake pedal assembly. Neither an independent mechanic nor a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the brake pedal bumper fractured, and the brake lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure caused the battery to become drained. The accelerator pedal was stuck and drained the battery. The contact stated that the failure…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the brake fluid was depleting abnormally. The contact was adding brake fluid constantly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic)…
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving approximately 80 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from fifth gear to first gear, causing the vehicle to abruptly decelerate. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated but in LIMP Mode…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Mustangs have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 239 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic 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 service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Ford Mustang?
The most frequent phrase is “applying brakes”, in 19 of 239 complaints, followed by “emergency brake” (12).
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.