2021 Ford Mustang problems & reliability
55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Mustang, alongside 6 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (2 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2021 Ford Mustang vehicles were involved in 28 fatal crashes with 17 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline → | 10 | 18% |
| Power Train | 9 | 16% |
| Engine | 8 | 15% |
| Electrical System | 6 | 11% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 9% |
| Unknown OR Other | 5 | 9% |
| Back Over Prevention | 4 | 7% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 5% |
| Suspension | 3 | 5% |
| Air Bags | 2 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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 eleven months have…”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Jun 22, 2026
“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 accident or police were…”
Structure · filed May 17, 2026
“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 shoulder of the…”
Fuel System, Gasoline · filed Apr 7, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
148 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Mustang. The 10 most recent:
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and Aviator Vehicles Powertrain Control Module…
26E04 · Emissions · issued Jul 9, 2026
This bulletin supersedes 26-2046. Reason For Update: update the parts list to change the claim quantity of the C clutch friction plates (HL3Z-7B164-A), C clutch steel plates (HL3Z-7B442-F), D clutch steel plates…
TSB 26-2226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 8, 2026
Various 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument…
SSM 54720 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 2, 2026
For 2021 2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum…
SSM 54719 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 2, 2026
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
25N17 · Other · issued Mar 25, 2026
For 2021- 2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum…
SSM 54674 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 19, 2026
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated…
SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 24, 2026
Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various connectivity concerns with The Ford App Lincoln App including but not limited to: missing activation prompt pop-upon the vehicle's…
SSM 54589 · Other · issued Feb 17, 2026
This bulletin supersedes TSB 25-2611. Reason For Update: Change the part number for the transmission fluid heat exchanger bolt (Expedition/Navigator) as well as change the claim/package quantities for HL3Z-7B442-F and…
TSB 26-2046 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 13, 2026
This bulletin supersedes TSB 25-2474 for 3 Part List corrections. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh engagement * Delayed engagement *…
TSB 25-2611 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 18, 2025
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2021 Ford Mustang has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2021 Ford Mustang?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.