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severe Owners of the 2015 Ford Mustang have filed 29 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 26,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Mustang | 8 |
| 2014 Mustang | 5 |
| 2015 Mustang (this page) | 29 |
| 2016 Mustang | 7 |
| 2017 Mustang | 3 |
| 2018 Mustang | 3 |
Of the 14 model years of Ford Mustang we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 29.
A partial loss of the rear braking system can increase the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00. The brake rotors should only be machined if directed by the WSM because one or more of the following conditions are present on the braking surface: scoring, excessive corrosion/rust or pitting, bluing/discoloration and/or heat spots. For additional information, refer to WSM section 206-00.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00. The brake rotors should only be machined if directed by the WSM because one or more of the following conditions are present on the braking surface: scoring, excessive corrosion/rust or pitting, bluing/discoloration and/or heat spots. For additional information, refer to WSM section 206-00.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00. The brake rotors should only be machined if directed by the WSM because one or more of the following conditions are present on the braking surface: scoring, excessive corrosion/rust or pitting, bluing/discoloration and/or heat spots. For additional information, refer to WSM section 206-00.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2018 Shelby GT350 and GT350R vehicles may require brake service or repairs to be performed. The vehicles should not have the brake rotors machined when servicing the brake system. Replacement of brake rotors is the only acceptable service of brake rotors on GT350 and GT350R vehicles. GT350 and GT350R vehicles are equipped with a brake system designed for high speed and superior fade resistance. Occasional brake squeal and elevated levels of brake dust may occur. This is normal and does not affect brake system performance. Refer to the Workshop Manual (WSM) Section 206-00 and the Mustang Owner's Manual and the Shelby GT350 Owner's Manual Supplement for further information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED. IF THE PARK BRAKE WAS APPLIED WHEN THE VHR WAS GATHERING DATA FROM THE MAJOR VEHICLE SYSTEMS, THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION MESSAGE WILL BE REPORTED AS THE VHR LOOKS FOR ANY WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. RERUN THE VHR WITH THE ENGINE ON AND VEHICLE IN PARK, AND ENSURE THE PARK BRAKE IS DISENGAGED. IF THE SYNC VHR IS STILL REPORTING A CONCERN TO THE CUSTOMERS SYNC OWNERS ACCOUNT, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION FOR DIAGNOSIS BY
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The brake complaints on the 2015 Mustang cluster around a specific hardware failure: a small plastic disk or bumper between the brake pedal and its plunger rod fractures or disintegrates. When it breaks, the brake lights stay on continuously—even when the car is off—and the vehicle often drops into limp mode without warning. Owners have found yellow plastic pieces in the floorboard. This failure appears related to NHTSA Campaign 22V011000 and has been reported enough times that dealers recognize it, yet the recall was geographically limited (high-temperature states) and omitted areas with similar humidity and heat. Parts were unavailable at the time several complaints were filed, and even repaired vehicles have experienced repeat failures.
Beyond the plastic bumper issue, owners report total brake loss in traffic—the pedal goes soft or sinks to the floor, especially when vehicles are idling in heavy traffic or in hot conditions. After restart, brakes work normally, making diagnosis difficult; dealers cannot replicate the failures consistently. One owner's brake master cylinder and booster were replaced without resolving the issue.
Mechanical spacing issues also appear: one owner reports the brake pedal positioned close enough to the accelerator that depressing the brake fully causes foot contact with the gas, triggering unintended acceleration during emergency stops. The dealer refused to adjust the spacing without a recall.
Additionally, owners report high-pitched brake squealing from as early as 500 miles, excessive rotor wear on nearly new vehicles, and parking brake failures allowing vehicles to roll away.
The plastic stop pad or bumper that sits between the brake pedal assembly and the plunger rod breaks or disintegrates into pieces, typically a small plastic disk. When this fails, the brake lights remain illuminated continuously, the accelerator may become stuck, and limp mode can activate without warning.
When: Across the range; as early as 22,943 miles; failures reported at 54,000, 76,000, 81,000 miles and higher
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights remain on continuously even when vehicle is off; Brake pedal cushion or bumper fractured or broken into pieces; Uphill brake assist warning message or system failure; Vehicle enters limp mode or reduced power mode; Accelerator becomes stuck or unresponsive
Codes mentioned: P0504
Repairs/costs cited: Brake pedal assembly replacement; owners report Ford has no aftermarket replacement part available and dealership repairs cost nearly $1,000 for what they estimate is a $10 component. Recall parts were reported unavailable at time of complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 22V011000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) addresses this issue but parts availability was delayed. Recall was limited to certain high-temperature/humidity states and did not include all states with similar climate conditions.
The brake system loses stopping power or the pedal becomes unresponsive and sinks to the floor, often under specific conditions such as heavy traffic, idling in traffic, hot temperatures, or after the vehicle has been warmed up. Owners report needing to use the emergency brake to stop.
When: Occurrences reported from as early as 2,000 miles; recurring failures at 54,000, 67,000, 80,000 miles and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes soft and travels to the floor with normal pressure; Brake failure or loss of braking force in heavy traffic or while idling; Brake failure message displayed on dashboard; Failure occurs more frequently when vehicle is warmed up or in hot conditions (115°F reported); Failure occurs only with cruise control activated in at least one case; After stopping and restarting the vehicle, brakes return to normal operation
Repairs/costs cited: Brake master cylinder and brake booster replacements performed by dealers and independent mechanics; failures persisted after repair in at least one documented case. Dealers unable to replicate failures in multiple instances, making diagnosis difficult.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some owners noted that towing the vehicle caused diagnostic codes to reset, preventing diagnosis. Dealers offered no assistance after notification in some cases. NHTSA Campaign 22V011000 may address part of this issue.
The brake pedal is positioned too close to the accelerator pedal. When the brake pedal is depressed fully during hard braking or emergency stops, the driver's foot makes contact with the accelerator pedal, causing unintended acceleration while attempting to brake.
When: Reported at unknown mileage; issue present during normal operation when hard braking is required
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal physically contacts accelerator pedal when fully depressed; Vehicle accelerates while driver is attempting to brake; Contact occurs after depressing brake beyond a certain point, typically during hard braking or quick stops; Contact is minimal (approximately 1/8 inch reported) but sufficient to engage accelerator
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports pedal repositioning of 1/4 inch to the left would resolve the issue. Dealer declined to modify or repair the pedal spacing without a recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no recall had been issued and would not perform the repositioning modification without a recall authorization.
The clutch pedal detaches from the brake pedal assembly, causing loss of brake control. In this case, the two pedals are mechanically linked and separation compromises the brake system.
When: At 115,724 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clutch pedal detaches from brake pedal assembly while driving; Loss of brake control
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was in the process of being repaired at time of complaint but had not yet been taken to dealer or independent mechanic at time of report.
High-pitched squealing or noise from the brakes, particularly during light pressure application, stop-and-go traffic, or when turning. Excessive wear observed on rear rotors very early in vehicle life. Noise starts early and persists.
When: As early as 500 miles; excessive rotor wear visible with less than 3,000 miles on vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched squeal under light brake pressure; Squeal during stop-and-go traffic; Squeal when braking around corners; Noise more pronounced in early morning when there is dew or wetness; Excessive rear rotor wear visible very early in vehicle life; Brake noise continues after initial break-in period
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership attributed the squealing to rotor metal composition and advised it was not a concern. One owner with 15 years as a master technician disputed this assessment.
Brakes lose effectiveness or fail when the vehicle is idling for extended periods during stop-and-go traffic or when held in gear without moving. Failure is more pronounced when vehicle is warmed up.
When: Reported at 2,000 miles and recurring
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes fail to hold vehicle when idling in traffic; Brake effectiveness diminishes with vehicle warmed up (not from cold start); Brake noise described as dry or shaving sound; Vehicle feels like it's losing braking power during idle conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Failure could not be replicated during dealer testing.
While cruise control is activated, depressing the brake pedal does not deactivate cruise control; instead the vehicle accelerates. The brake pedal requires excessive pressure to operate and pulses against foot pressure. Replacing the cruise control switch did not resolve the issue.
When: At 54,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal pulses against foot pressure; Excessive pressure required to depress brake pedal; Vehicle accelerates instead of decelerating when brake is depressed with cruise control active; Cruise control does not deactivate when brake is applied; Failure only occurs when cruise control is activated
Repairs/costs cited: Cruise control switch was replaced by dealer; failure persisted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnosed cruise control malfunction as the root cause.
The emergency or parking brake fails to hold the vehicle when parked or engaged. Vehicle rolls away when parked on an incline or when engaged.
When: Reported at 116,000 and 200 miles; one manual transmission vehicle at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls forward from driveway when parked; Vehicle rolls downhill when emergency parking brake is fully engaged; Failure occurs with manual transmission as well
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer indicated vehicle was associated with NHTSA Campaign 22V011000 but recall parts were not available. In one case, dealer stated vehicle was not covered by any recall.
Rear brakes fail to operate, particularly when reversing or during early vehicle life.
When: At 200 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brakes fail while reversing out of driveway; Failure recurs multiple times
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified.
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a meaningful issue. 29 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 9,046 and 76,000 miles, with the median around 26,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,046; a quarter make it past 76,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover brakes issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.