2021 Ford MUSTANG problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
55 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
5,465 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 55 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 8 | 14.5% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 12.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 7.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 10 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
Fuel System, Gasoline: 10; Power Train: 9; Engine: 8; Electrical System: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Suspension: 3; Air Bags: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 35 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 19 |
| 2026 | 10 |
2021: 1; 2022: 9; 2023: 10; 2024: 6; 2025: 19; 2026: 10
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11522730 · 2023-05-18 (May 18, 2023)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang GT500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering as the instrument cluster went blank and the charging system error warning message was illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Battery Save Mode, Pull Over, and Turn Car Off and On" message was illuminated. The contact had pulled over to turn off the vehicle and was able to restart. The failure reoccurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11522730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11648411 · 2025-03-14 (March 14, 2025)
Vehicle engine is noisy with grinding sounds coming from lower side of engine, can be heard at idle speeds plus popping, ticking. Engine has no power, smells like raw fuel. Engine internal problems exist at 46,000 miles. Vehicle feels like will stall any minute. Ford engine V8 GT Fastback, Ford Mustang. Engine internal parts grinding, popping and ticking sounds from engine while running. Under warranty but dealer is not honoring warranty. Nielsen Ford, Morristown, NJ.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11648411 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11441741 · 2021-11-26 (November 26, 2021)
Purchased vehicle new It took me a long time to understand what the issue was. I complained to Ford and they gave me account rep that has never driven manual transmission. When I contacted Ford the end result was they have found nothing and car is operating normally. My issue : "driver assist" on clutch. It auto revs the throttle and is extremely inconsistent. I can forward to 20 second videos it needed. Problem is with the clutch and brake pedal. Releasing brake pedal causes engine to rev anywhere from 900-1500 rpm. Problem is driving in …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11470394 · 2022-06-22 (June 22, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the brake fluid low warning light failed to illuminate to alert him that the brake fluid level was low. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11470394 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11558588 · 2023-12-05 (December 5, 2023)
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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11558588 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11509876 · 2023-03-02 (March 2, 2023)
1st dealer visit: at low speeds car acted like it was in neutral and then surged when trying to accelerate. Dealer said they corrected the issue. they did not. 2nd dealer visit: car was still doing the same as number 1. While on the highway with cruise control set at 75 mph, I lost power and smoke started billowing from under the car. transmission was shifting erratically, went into limp mode and i made it off the highway to call a tow truck. Dealer said they repaired the issue. 3rd dealer visit: car is still doing the same as number 1. now…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11509876 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11602670 · 2024-07-16 (July 16, 2024)
The contact owned a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the steering wheel independently veered in the right direction causing the contact to crash into a barrier without warning. The air bags deployed upon impact. The contact sought medical attention and was treated for lacerations and bruising to the left eye. A CT scan was also performed which ruled out any further injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to a local dealer where it was deemed a total loss. The manuf…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11602670 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11676728 · 2025-07-28 (July 28, 2025)
The contact owns 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was turned off however, while attempting to restart the vehicle the vehicle failed to respond as needed. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOL…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,855 miles reported. Look up ODI 11676728 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11745538 · 2026-06-22 (June 22, 2026)
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 passed since the recall was announced, and Ford has not provided a repair remedy for my vehicle. I believe this is an unreasonable delay for a safety-related defect. In addition, the recall previously appeared in the FordPass applic…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11745538 at NHTSA ↗