2011 Ford MUSTANG: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
466 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
22,018 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 338 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 125 of 466 complaints (26.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 164 | 35.2% |
| Braking behavior | 40 | 8.6% |
| Steering behavior | 33 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 29 | 6.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 1.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 0.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 125 |
| Power Train | 100 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 95 |
| Engine | 48 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 38 |
| Steering | 25 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 23 |
| Electrical System | 21 |
Air Bags: 125; Power Train: 100; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 95; Engine: 48; Vehicle Speed Control: 38; Steering: 25; Fuel/Propulsion System: 23; Electrical System: 21
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 174 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 60 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 62 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 25 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 174; 25,000 to 49,999: 60; 50,000 to 74,999: 62; 75,000 to 99,999: 25; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (174). 128 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 145 |
| 2012 | 28 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 46 |
| 2015 | 49 |
| 2016 | 64 |
| 2017 | 53 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2010: 3; 2011: 145; 2012: 28; 2013: 14; 2014: 46; 2015: 49; 2016: 64; 2017: 53; 2018: 29; 2019: 10; 2020: 8; 2021: 2; 2022: 6; 2023: 5; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 164 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 40 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 33 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10365297 · 2010-11-10 (November 10, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT500. AFTER DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH FORCE, BOTH REAR WHEELS BEGAN TO SPIN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FISH TAIL AND SPIN OUT OF CONTROL.THE TRACTION CONTROL FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SETTLED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGED TO THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR $15,000. THE MANU…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10365297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10365406 · 2010-11-11 (November 11, 2010)
2011 FORD MUSTANG V-6 AFTER OWNING FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS, WE NOTICED THAT ON OCCASION THE "PASS AIR BAG' LIGHT IN THE OVERHEAD WOULD FLICKER ON INDICATION THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM IS DISABLED. AFTER A FEW WEEKS, THE LIGHT BECAME MORE CONSISTENT TO THE POINT THAT IT WOULD REMAIN ON FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE DURATION OF ANY TRIP. MADE A TRIP TO THE SHOP AND THE SYSTEM WAS "RE-ZEROED". NO ISSUES FOR A FEW WEEKS AND THEN THE ISSUE STARTED AGAIN. BACK TO THE SHOP AND TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM DUE TO MY WIFE WEIGHING ~105 …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10365406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10369641 · 2010-12-08 (December 8, 2010)
TEST DRIVING 2011 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY COBRA GT 500. PULLED OUT OF PARKING LOT SLOWLY ONTO ROADWAY AND WHEN STRAIGHT DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR FOR HARD ACCELERATION. VEHICLE ACCELERATED FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND, THEN BEGAN SPINNING BOTH REAR WHEELS AND VIOLENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND SPUN AROUND IN ROAD HITTING CURB RESULTING IN SEVERE DAMAGE TO WHEELS, BODY AND SUSPENSION. VEHICLE TRAVELED APROX. 100 FEET FROM POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE ENTERED THE ROADWAY AND WHERE IT STRUCK CURB FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. TRACTION CONTR…
Owner-reported narrative. 182 miles reported. Look up ODI 10369641 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10376746 · 2011-01-14 (January 14, 2011)
ROUGH, CLUNKY SHIFT, ESPECIALLY IN COLD CONDITION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10376746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10377006 · 2011-01-18 (January 18, 2011)
WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS COLD (BELOW 35 DEGREES) 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD GEARS ARE EXTREMELT DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE. I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE AND HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED TWICE WHEN TRYING TO ENGAGE 2ND GEAR IN MY NEW 2011 FORD MUSTANG. I HAVE VISITED KEITH HAWTHORNE FORD ONCE FOR SERVICE SINCE REALIZING THE ISSUE. THEY DID ACKNOWLEDGE THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT BASICALLY SHRUGGED THEIR SHOULDERS ABOUT IT. I CALLED BACK YESTERDAY TO KEITH HAWTHORNE'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THERE IS STILL NO RESOLUTION. I AM EXTREMELY CO…
Owner-reported narrative. 225 miles reported. Look up ODI 10377006 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10381512 · 2011-02-10 (February 10, 2011)
OCCASIONAL AND SOMETIMES SEVERE SHUDDER/VIBRATION WHEN DOWNSHIFTING, PARTICULARLY WHEN GOING DOWN HILL, FELT THROUGHOUT THE CAR, SEAT AND SHIFTER. WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT FEELS LIKE THE VIBRATION IS IN THE DRIVETRAIN AREA. SEEMS LIKE IT ALWAYS HAPPENS ABOVE 40MPH. THE SHUDDER/VIBRATION CLOSELY RESEMBLES GOING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. IT CAN BE UNNERVING AS IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING WRONG WITH THE CAR! I HAVE READ FORUMS AND IT SEEMS LIKE I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2011 MUSTANG. THIS PROBLEM CA…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,020 miles reported. Look up ODI 10381512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10381666 · 2011-02-12 (February 12, 2011)
WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 70 AND 75 MPH WHEN I LET OFF THE THROTTLE MY CAR WILL DOWN SHIFT (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) TO LOWER GEAR CAUSING A DANGEROUS CONDITION. IT IS LIKE HITTING THE BRAKES WITHOUT THE BRAKE LIGHT GOING ON. ALSO WHEN COMING TO STOP SIGN IT ABRUPTLY DOWN SHIFTS, I HAVE NOT BEEN HIT IN THE REAR YET BUT I AM CONCERNED. BROUGHT TO DEALER THREE TIMES DEALER DENIES CONDITION BECAUSE HE CANNOT DUPLICATE IT. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT CONDITION. I AM STARTING TO SEE IT DOCUMENTED ON FORUMS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10381666 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10382505 · 2011-02-13 (February 13, 2011)
THE HEAD RESTRAINT DESIGN ON THE 2011 FORD MUSTANG IS DEFECTIVE FOR TALLER DRIVERS. I AM 6' 1" BUT MY 5' 8" WIFE ALSO COMPLAINS. EVEN AT ITS TALLEST ADJUSTMENT, I MUST HOLD MY HEAD FORWARD IN AN UNNATURAL AND FATIGUING POSITION. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS COMPLAINT, AS THE MUSTANG FORUMS ARE FILLED WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER DRIVERS -- MANY OF WHOM REPORT SIMPLY REMOVING THE HEAD RESTRAINT ALTOGETHER. ACCORDING TO THE FORUMS, FORD SAYS TO INCREASE THE ANGLE OF THE SEATBACK, BUT THEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TOO FAR AWAY -- AND I …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10382505 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V319000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2015-05-28 (May 28, 2015)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2014 Mustang vehicles manufactured April 6, 2004, to June 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 GT vehicles manufactured February 20, 2004, to September 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2016. Even if interim repairs were performed under safety recall 14V-802, owners must bring their vehicles in for the final remedy. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S21. Note: This recall supersedes safety recall 14V-802.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V384000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-05-31 (May 31, 2016)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V001000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-01-07 (January 7, 2019)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V081000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2021-02-16 (February 16, 2021)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
NHTSA campaign record ↗