The Lemon Index

All cars · Ford Mustang · 2020

2020 Ford Mustang. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index80100 = average car
Complaints46NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold61,090U.S. model year
Per 100K sold75complaints
Year rank#11 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 6

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.3L 4-cyl turboAuto (S10)RWD21 / 32 / 25Regular$2,500
2.3L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdRWD21 / 30 / 24Regular$2,600
5.0L 8-cylAuto (S10)RWD16 / 25 / 19Regular$3,300
5.0L 8-cylManual 6-spdRWD15 / 24 / 18Regular$3,450
5.2L 8-cylManual 6-spdRWD14 / 21 / 16Premium$4,850
5.2L 8-cyl superchargedAuto (AM7)RWD12 / 18 / 14Premium$5,550

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 6,700 and 60,800 miles. Median 24,000, from 38 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine66,50059,000–73,3007
Brakes6,4003,500–9,2008
Backup camera56,70017,000–79,9007

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Brakes28%
Transmission & drivetrain22%
Electrical15%
Engine13%
Speed control9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
1201357014

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 8

  • 25V695000 Oct 2025 Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

    Risk. A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification le

  • 25V442000 Jun 2025 Back Over Prevention / Software

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. 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.

    Risk. A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

  • 23V727000 Oct 2023 Electrical System / Body Control Module/Bcm

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Mustang vehicles. The brake fluid level sensor may not activate the visual warning indicator when the brake fluid is low. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

    Risk. Without a low brake fluid warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, reducing braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C35.

  • 22V382000 May 2022 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions. 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.

    Risk. A rearview camera or reverse light that is disabled reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Disabled driver assist features (traction control, forward collision warning, blind spot warning, cross traffic indicator) may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 15, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S37.

  • 20V573000 Sep 2020 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Pedals And Linkages

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The brake pedal bracket may fracture during sudden stopping.

    Risk. A broken brake pedal could affect braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal bracket assembly, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S52.

  • 20V575000 Sep 2020 Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk. Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.

  • 20V306000 May 2020 Forward Collision Avoidance / Sensing System / Camera

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped a forward-looking camera. 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 function as intended.

    Risk. If the driver is unaware that the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not operating effectively, they may rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will perform the Lane Departure Warning System camera alignment procedure, free of charge. This recall began June 17, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S26.

  • 20V263000 May 2020 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles. The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.

    Risk. If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being shifted into park, unintended vehicle movement may result, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

    Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S21.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenRearview camera fmvss 111 noncompliance2021–

Manufacturer communications 184

Ford filed 184 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Ford Mustang C RWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★
Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Ford Mustang GT350R 2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2015–2023 Ford Mustang, 69.7M views.

TopicVideosViews
Infotainment, battery & electrical2777K
Timing chain & engine1289K
Windows, doors & mirrors1202K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2017736981,866Body structure
2018897075,842Transmission & drivetrain
2019654872,489Electrical
2020804661,090Brakes
2021492652,414Transmission & drivetrain
2022623647,566Electrical
2023–1548,605Steering

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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