The Lemon Index

All cars · Ford Mustang · 2021

2021 Ford Mustang. Advanced data.

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

Lemon Index49100 = average car
Complaints26NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold52,414U.S. model year
Per 100K sold50complaints
Year rank#3 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 8

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.3L 4-cyl turboAuto (S10)RWD21 / 32 / 25Regular$2,500
2.3L 4-cyl turboAuto 10-spdRWD21 / 32 / 25Regular$2,500
2.3L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdRWD21 / 29 / 24Regular$2,600
5.0L 8-cylAuto (S10)RWD15 / 23 / 18Regular$3,450
5.0L 8-cylManual 6-spdRWD15 / 24 / 18Regular$3,450
5.2L 8-cyl superchargedAuto (AM7)RWD12 / 18 / 14Premium$5,550
ElectricAuto (A1)RWD105 / 93 / 100Electricity$750
ElectricAuto (A1)AWD100 / 86 / 93Electricity$800

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 3,000 and 42,200 miles. Median 5,500, from 20 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Fuel system, gasoline9,0003,200–44,7008

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
Transmission & drivetrain19%
Electrical15%
Brakes12%
Visibility8%
Engine8%

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

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
5540204

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 6

  • 25V689000 Oct 2025 Electrical System / Body Control Module/Bcm

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Mustang vehicles repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V727. 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 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C55. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 17, 2025.

  • 25V455000 Jul 2025 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.

    Risk. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.

  • 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.

  • 22V083000 Feb 2022 Air Bags / Knee Bolster

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Mustang vehicles. An insufficient weld on the front passenger knee air bag may result in an improper air bag deployment.

    Risk. An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will replace the front passenger knee air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 8, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S07.

  • 21V980000 Dec 2021 Air Bags / Side/Window / Curtain

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mustang vehicles. The side curtain air bag inflators may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in improper air bag inflation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 226, "Ejection Mitigation," and 214, "Side Impact Protection."

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

    Remedy. 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.

Manufacturer communications 150

Ford filed 150 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Ticking noise at idle
  • Transmission fluid leak caused by improperly seated
  • Transmission fluid leak caused by improperly seated

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Ford Mustang C RWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★
Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Ford Mustang GT500 2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalStandard

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
2018897075,842Transmission & drivetrain
2019654872,489Electrical
2020804661,090Brakes
2021492652,414Transmission & drivetrain
2022623647,566Electrical
2023–1548,605Steering
20242138444,003Electrical

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

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data