2021 Ford MUSTANG: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 11455827 · 2022-03-09 (March 9, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving and exceeding 50 MPH, the rear-view mirror would vibrate. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed and the mirror was replaced three times. Additionally, the mechanic installed a new driveshaft; however, failure persisted. The contact notified the manufacturer and was informed that the vibration was a characteristic of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11455827 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11457969 · 2022-03-23 (March 23, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the driver’s and passenger’s side seat belts would remain positioned on the occupant’s neck area instead of the shoulder region. The contacted stated that after securing the seat belts, the strap would move from the occupant’s shoulder area and rest on the occupant’s neck. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 10.
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 11457969 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11469341 · 2022-06-15 (June 15, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that immediately after purchasing the vehicle new, the engine experienced random misfire, causing the vehicle to lose motive power and acceleration. During the failure, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who reprogrammed the engine computer and replaced the camshaft sensor however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 700.
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11469341 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 11479487 · 2022-08-16 (August 16, 2022)
Lane departure lane assist failed along with the blind spot and viper visibllity caused me to crash my vehicle. Insurance refusing to fix. This need to be investigated. I don’t remember the impact my insurnace is accusing me of lying and won’t fix the car but I just got it.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11479487 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11492196 · 2022-11-03 (November 3, 2022)
Vehicle bucks at low speed after putting in drive and when driving during downshift, on 4 occasions I almost hit my wife's vehicle during low speed bucking with the trans
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11492196 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11492853 · 2022-11-09 (November 9, 2022)
The exhaust pipes on this model like stainless steel knives. Please consider a repair or sleeve to prevent future mishaps. Thank you
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11492853 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V980000 · Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain
Reported: 2021-12-16 (December 16, 2021)
Ford 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."
Consequence: An air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers 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 record ↗22V083000 · Air Bags:Knee Bolster
Reported: 2022-02-16 (February 16, 2022)
Ford 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.
Consequence: An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers 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 record ↗23V727000 · Electrical System:Body Control Module/Bcm
Reported: 2023-10-27 (October 27, 2023)
Ford 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."
Consequence: Without 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.
Remedy: Dealers 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 record ↗25V442000 · Back Over Prevention:Software
Reported: 2025-06-27 (June 27, 2025)
Ford 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.
Consequence: A 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.
Remedy: Dealers 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 record ↗25V455000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2025-07-07 (July 7, 2025)
Ford 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.
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers 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 record ↗25V689000 · Electrical System:Body Control Module/Bcm
Reported: 2025-10-10 (October 10, 2025)
Ford 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."
Consequence: Without 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.
Remedy: Dealers 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 record ↗