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2021 Ford Mustang

Gas
Subcompact Cars
16 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
57 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns6
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA55
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA25 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Ford Mustang is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 16 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Mustang, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 55 complaints, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
MustangGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo213225$2,500
MustangGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo213225$2,500
MustangGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo212924$2,600
Mustang ConvertibleGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo202723$2,700
Mustang ConvertibleGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo202823$2,700
Mustang ConvertibleGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo202823$2,700
Mustang HO CoupeGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo202723$2,700
Mustang HO ConvertibleGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo192622$2,850
Mustang HO CoupeGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo202722$2,850
Mustang HO ConvertibleGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo192521$2,950
MustangGasRWD5.0L 8-cyl152419$3,300
MustangGasRWD5.0L 8-cyl152418$3,450
Mustang ConvertibleGasRWD5.0L 8-cyl152318$3,450
Mustang Mach 1GasRWD5.0L 8-cyl152318$3,450
Mustang Mach 1GasRWD5.0L 8-cyl142217$3,650
Shelby GT500 MustangGasRWD5.2L 8-cyl121814$5,550

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43669, 43680, 43667, 43672, 43673, 43681, 43670, 43674, 43668, 43671.

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Recalls (6)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Electrical System

25C55
2,101 vehicles
ProblemFord 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."RiskWithout 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.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 25V689000reported Oct 10, 2025Ford Motor Company
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

25S75
850,318 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskAn engine stall increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 25V455000reported Jul 7, 2025Ford Motor Company
○minor

Back Over Prevention

25S72
200,237 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskA 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.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 25V442000reported Jun 27, 2025Ford Motor Company
▲high

Electrical System

23C35
187,922 vehicles
ProblemFord 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."RiskWithout 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.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 23V727000reported Oct 27, 2023Ford Motor Company
▲high

Air Bags

22S07
327 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskAn improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V083000reported Feb 16, 2022Ford Motor Company
▲high

Air Bags

21C37
93 vehicles
ProblemFord 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."RiskAn air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V980000reported Dec 16, 2021Ford Motor Company

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
55complaints filed

4 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 2 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 1 · 2022: 9 · 2023: 10 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 19 · 2026: 10

Most-cited components

Fuel System, Gasoline10
Power Train9
Engine8
Electrical System6
Unspecified5
Fuel/Propulsion System5

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked while closing the convertible top, the driver’s side rear window failed to close. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred to the rear passenger’s side window when the vehicle was fir…”May 2, 2024 · Visibility · NHTSA owner report
“Check engine light keeps coming on even after dealer says it is fixed. Keeps throwing codes evaporative emission system problem.”Dec 21, 2023 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V727000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was m…”Dec 5, 2023 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9%
2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9%
C RWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★8%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Compare the 2021 Mustang with

2021 Toyota Corolla →

Other Mustang model years

F

2026 Ford Mustang

5 recalls · 5 complaints

F

2025 Ford Mustang

6 recalls · 14 complaints

F

2024 Ford Mustang

12 recalls · 74 complaints

F

2023 Ford Mustang

6 recalls · 15 complaints

F

2022 Ford Mustang

9 recalls · 49 complaints

F

2020 Ford Mustang

8 recalls · 118 complaints

F

2019 Ford Mustang

6 recalls · 147 complaints

C

2018 Ford Mustang

3 recalls · 188 complaints

F

2017 Ford Mustang

6 recalls · 265 complaints

F

2016 Ford Mustang

5 recalls · 375 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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