Certain 2014 - 2015 Model Year, Fusion and MKZ and 2015 Model Year Mustang Vehicles Brake Stop Lamps Remain On - Under Safety Recall 22S02, in some of the affected vehicles, exposure to a high temperature, high humidity, and high salinity environment is causing the brake pedal âÂÂstop bumperâ to disintegrate and fall off on some of the affected vehicles resulting in the brake stop lamps remaining on continuously, even when the brake pedal is not applied. If the brake pedal bumper is missing on automatic transmission vehicles, the engine can be started, and the transmission can shift out of park without depressing the brake pedal. For 22R01, owners will be instructed to request a repa
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Ford Mustang lighting problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Ford Mustang have filed 38 NHTSA complaints about the lighting, typically surfacing around 39,000 miles at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
38
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Mustang (this page) | 38 |
| 2016 Mustang | 3 |
What stands out
Of the 7 model years of Ford Mustang we track for lighting problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 38.
Owners have filed 38 lighting complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting 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.
Certain 2014-2015 Model Year, Fusion and MKZ and 2015 Model Year Mustang Vehicles - Brake Stop Lamps Remain On. Under Safety Recall 22S02, in some of the affected vehicles, exposure to a high temperature, high humidity, and high salinity environment is causing the brake pedal "stop bumper" to disintegrate and fall off on some of the affected vehicles resulting in the brake stop lamps remaining on continuously, even when the brake pedal is not applied. If the brake pedal bumper is missing on automatic transmission vehicles, the engine can be started, and the transmission can shift out of park without depressing the brake pedal. For 22R01, owners will be instructed to request a repair under th
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015-2016 MUSTANG BUILT ON OR BEFORE 4/22/2016 - REAR TAIL LAMP, TURN LAMP OR STOP LAMP PARTIAL OUTAGE - DTCS B1271, B1272, B1273, B1274, B1275 OR B1276
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a brittle plastic or ceramic pad/plunger on the brake pedal assembly that deteriorates and breaks apart without warning. When this pad fails, it prevents the brake light switch from disengaging, causing the brake lights to remain illuminated whether the vehicle is running, parked, or off. The broken pad pieces often fall onto the floorboard.
Critically, when the pad breaks, the vehicle's onboard computer receives a continuous signal that the brakes are engaged, triggering limp mode—a severe throttle limitation that restricts acceleration to 30–50 mph regardless of pedal pressure. This happens at highway speeds with no dashboard warning light or diagnostic code to alert the driver. Owners report needing to pump the accelerator or slam the pedal to floor to maintain speed temporarily. The ECU also locks out cruise control and bypasses the brake-pedal-required safety interlock for engine start.
Owners note the failure typically occurs between 30,000 and 94,000 miles, with higher incidence in hot climates (Texas, Florida). Ford dealerships replace the entire brake pedal assembly ($200–900 installed) rather than the failed pad alone, which costs a few dollars. Some owners report the replacement assembly includes the same defective part. A few narratives mention a recall (#22S02) exists but does not cover all affected vehicles regionally. One narrative also reports intermittent taillight function unrelated to the brake pad failure.
Failure modes owners describe
Brake light switch pad deterioration and breakage
A plastic or ceramic pad mounted on the brake pedal assembly becomes brittle and shatters into pieces. This pad normally acts as the contact point for the brake light switch plunger. When it breaks, the switch plunger remains fully engaged, falsely signaling the ECU that brakes are continuously applied.
When: Typically 30,000–94,000 miles; onset appears accelerated in hot climates
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights remain illuminated continuously, even with ignition off; Vehicle enters limp mode with severe throttle restriction (max 30–50 mph); No engine check light or diagnostic trouble code displayed; Cruise control disabled; Brake-pedal interlock for engine start bypassed; car can start in Drive/Reverse; Intermittent power loss and surging when accelerator is pumped; Hill assist unavailable message may appear; Broken pad fragments found on driver-side floor mat
Repairs/costs cited: Ford dealerships sell only the complete brake pedal assembly (~$200 part, $300–900 labor). Third-party solutions include a $2–3 replacement pad, Toyota rubber pedal bumper substitutes, zip-ties, or disc magnets. Owners report replacement assemblies may contain the same defective part.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall #22S02 exists for this issue, but coverage is region-dependent and not all affected owners were notified. One dealer stated the failure was 'normal' and covered under a one-time repair gesture. No TSBs or warranty extensions mentioned by owners.
Intermittent right rear taillight malfunction
Right rear taillight assembly functions intermittently, affecting taillight, turn signal, brake light, and emergency flasher operations. Occurs both while driving and when parked. Cause not definitively stated by owners.
When: Vehicle age and mileage not specified in these narratives
Symptoms owners cite: Right taillight functions intermittently; Right turn signal intermittent; Right brake light intermittent; Right emergency flasher intermittent; Issue present at start-up or develops during drive
Headlight moisture condensation
Moisture builds up inside the headlight lens, reducing visibility. Dealership advised owner this was normal operation and offered repair under a one-time goodwill gesture.
When: Approximately 6,800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Moisture visible inside headlight lens; Reduced visibility during driving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership repair offered as one-time goodwill gesture
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford stated the failure was normal operation
Synthesized from 38 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had lighting trouble with your 2015 Ford Mustang?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2015 Ford Mustang?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 38 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 25,000 and 63,000 miles, with the median around 39,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,000; a quarter make it past 63,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting 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.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Ford/Mustang.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.