The Lemon Index2020 Ford Mustang.
The 2020 Ford Mustang is better than average by owner complaints: 46 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 80, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 17 to 25 mpg combined. The best Ford Mustang year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2015–2023 Ford Mustang, 69.7M views. The 2020 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical777K views
DIY - 2017/2016 Ford Mustang - How to change SmartKey Key fob Battery on Ford MustangKey Fob Rob · 506K views · 2 videos - Timing chain & engine289K views
Watch This Guide BEFORE You Buy A 2020 Ford Mustang!TFLnow · 289K views - Windows, doors & mirrors202K views
2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Convertible Soft Top Open CloseLoonyGarage · 202K views
Before you buy, watch
Should You Buy a 2018 Mustang GT Over a 2013 Mustang GT? - Which is Better? (In Depth Comparison)ThatDudeinBlue · 576K views
Ford Mustang coupe 2015-2018 review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 331K views
Ford Mustang V8 Sports Car 2018 review | Mat Watson Reviewscarwow · 2.0M viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 120 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Mustang year. 2020 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 6K to 60K miles on the car (38 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 8
- back over prevention 2025
The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
- back over prevention 2025
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.
- electrical 2023
The brake fluid level sensor may not activate the visual warning indicator when the brake fluid is low.
Show all 8 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2022
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may broadcast an unintended faulted signal to the modules controlling the reverse camera, reverse light, and driver assist features, which may disable all of these functions.
- brakes 2020
The brake pedal bracket may fracture during sudden stopping.
- back over prevention 2020
Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.
- automatic emergency braking 2020
The camera may be misaligned to the vehicle and features that are dependent on the camera such as Pre-Collision Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping System, Driver Alert, and Auto High Beam Control may not funct…
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 184 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- High-pitched whine
- SSM 48651 - 2020 Mustang - No Start With Steering Lock Malfunction Message And Body Control…
- Some 2020 F-150/Mustang/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 10R80 transmission and built on…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenRearview camera fmvss 111 noncompliance2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Mustang C RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Ford Mustang GT350R 2 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2550–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Manufacturer recall 20s52 and NHTSA recall 20v573 notified walker Ford, fl, no action being taken.
2020 Ford Mustang owner · NHTSA complaint 11366693
More owner reports
Engine tick after first oil change.transmission shifts hard
NHTSA complaint 11518085
Brake pedal brackets that broke during emergency breaking
NHTSA complaint 11372610
Quick answers
Is the 2020 Ford Mustang reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 80; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Mustang year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2020 Ford Mustang problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (28%), transmission & drivetrain (22%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Mustang have?
8 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Ford Mustang get?
17 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2020 Ford Mustang safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2020 Ford Mustang problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 6,700 and 60,800 miles. The middle report was at 24,000 miles, from 38 complaints.
Does the 2020 Ford Mustang have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Ford Mustang cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Ford Mustang have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
What Ford Mustang year is better than the 2020?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2021 and 2022.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works