The Lemon IndexFord Mustang.
The best Ford Mustang years are 2010, 2008, 2021. Years to avoid: 2014, 2011, 2012. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 136, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2000 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2010.
Quick answers.
Is the Ford Mustang a good car?
Not overall: it draws more complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 136; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2010 and the worst is 2014.
What are the best Ford Mustang years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2010, 2008, 2021.
What Ford Mustang years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2014, 2011, 2012.
How many recalls does the Ford Mustang have?
186 safety recalls across the 26 model years we track. Most: 2024 (12), 2015 (11), 2000 (10). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Ford Mustang problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name transmission & drivetrain, airbags and engine most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 119 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 228 | transmission & drivetrain (18%) | 10 | — | 18–21 |
| 2001 | 76 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 138 | airbags (17%) | 8 | — | 18–20 |
| 2002 | 61 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 92 | engine (26%) | 6 | — | 18–21 |
| 2003 | 135 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 154 | engine (32%) | 6 | — | 18–21 |
| 2004 | 76 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 87 | speed control (34%) | 6 | — | 17–20 |
| 2005 | 155 | 1.6× the average car's complaints | 173 | fuel system, gasoline (23%) | 10 | — | 18–20 |
| 2006 | 88 | 1.1× fewer complaints than average | 102 | fuel system, gasoline (29%) | 10 | — | 18–20 |
| 2007 | 93 | about average | 118 | tires (22%) | 9 | — | 18–20 |
| 2008 | 47 | 2.1× fewer complaints than average | 46 | transmission & drivetrain (33%) | 8 | — | 18–20 |
| 2009 | 52 | 1.9× fewer complaints than average | 29 | speed control (38%) | 6 | — | 18–20 |
| 2010 | 45 | 2.2× fewer complaints than average | 37 | transmission & drivetrain (22%) | 6 | — | 19–21 |
| 2011 | 276 | 2.8× the average car's complaints | 236 | transmission & drivetrain (78%) | 5 | — | 17–23 |
| 2012 | 247 | 2.5× the average car's complaints | 222 | transmission & drivetrain (54%) | 7 | ★★★★☆ | 20–23 |
| 2013 | 161 | 1.6× the average car's complaints | 158 | airbags (67%) | 6 | ★★★★☆ | 19–23 |
| 2014 | 301 | 3× the average car's complaints | 272 | airbags (78%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 18–23 |
| 2015 | 107 | about average | 127 | engine (18%) | 11 | ★★★★★ | 18–25 |
| 2016 | 95 | about average | 106 | engine (26%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 18–25 |
| 2017 | 73 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 69 | body structure (20%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 17–24 |
| 2018 | 89 | 1.1× fewer complaints than average | 70 | transmission & drivetrain (29%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 18–25 |
| 2019 | 65 | 1.5× fewer complaints than average | 48 | electrical (35%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 18–25 |
| 2020 | 80 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 46 | brakes (28%) | 8 | ★★★★★ | 17–25 |
| 2021 | 49 | 2× fewer complaints than average | 26 | transmission & drivetrain (19%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 18–25 |
| 2022 | 62 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 36 | electrical (22%) | 9 | ★★★★★ | 18–25 |
| 2023 | – | too few complaints to score | 15 | steering (33%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 18–25 |
| 2024 | 213 | 2.1× the average car's complaints | 84 | electrical (51%) | 12 | ★★★★★ | 17–106 |
| 2025 | – | too few complaints to score | 19 | lights (26%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 12–110 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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