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ProblemsByVin File / 2021-FORD-MUSTANG NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2021 · Ford

Ford Mustang problems

54 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.8 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2021 Mustang?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints

fuel system
10 reports · fails ~23,205 mi · avg $1,200
moderate
powertrain
8 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
engine
7 reports · avg $3,100
severe
electrical
5 reports · avg $850
moderate
brakes
4 reports · fails ~5,000 mi · avg $450
severe
suspension
3 reports · fails ~5,130 mi · avg $900
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2021 Mustang's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2021 Mustang?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2021 Mustang · powertrain
After slight acceleration and then light braking vehicle wants to lunge forward and is a outright safety hazard in 3 separate incidents it almost caused an accident and one was a pedestrian, fors is well aware of this vehicles incidents and well documented by text from dealer…
2021 Mustang · fuel system
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped and the accelerator pedal was depressed on several occasions, the vehicle hesitated to…
2021 Mustang · electrical
Check engine light keeps coming on even after dealer says it is fixed. Keeps throwing codes evaporative emission system problem.
2021 Mustang · brakes Crash
The contact leased a 2021 Ford Mustang from an Enterprise rental company. The contact stated while driving approximately 3-5 MPH and coming to a complete stop, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond, lunged forward, and hit the rear of the vehicle before…
12/16/2022 · at 4,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11497775.0 · see brakes pattern →
View all 54 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2021 Ford Mustang? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 21V980000 December 16, 2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mustang vehicles

An air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2021 Ford Mustang reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Ford Mustang is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2021 Ford Mustang?

On the NHTSA data, the 2021 Ford Mustang does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2021 Ford Mustang?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is fuel system, with 10 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 23,205 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,200 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The fuel system is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,200 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 23,205 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford Mustang has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Ford Mustang?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 54 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,200, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Ford/Mustang. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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