The Lemon Index

All cars · Ford Mustang

2024 Ford Mustang.

The 2024 Ford Mustang is so far one of the worst years by owner complaints: 84 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 213, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, and it has 12 recalls. The best Ford Mustang year is 2010.

Early read

213Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Early read: lemon alert. 2.1× the average car's complaints.

Best year 2010 · Worst year 2014

Ford Mustang
Photo shows a 2018 Ford Mustang. Vauxford, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints84first 3 years
Fuel economy17–106 MPGecombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

How serious. Out of 84 owner complaints, owners reported:

5crashes
2injuries
0fires
4tows
Early read. The 2024 Ford Mustang hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2024 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

electrical51%
engine12%
transmission & drivetrain12%
lights10%
backup camera8%

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.

Transmission problems in every Ford Mustang year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 5K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 13K miles on the car (15 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 12

  • electrical 2026

    The engine compartment wiring harness ground connections may fracture and result in a loss of drive power, or a loss of function in the windshield washing system, headlights, air conditioning, or engine cooling fan.

  • visibility 2026

    During certain cold temperature conditions, the windshield wipers may function only at their high-speed setting and the washing system may fail to function properly.

  • lights 2025

    Water may enter the body control module and cause a loss of communication with the exterior lighting, including the license plate light, side marker, and tail lights.

Show all 12 recalls
  • electrical 2025

    An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.

  • back over prevention 2025

    A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.

  • electrical 2024

    The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may not illuminate at startup or while driving.

  • fuel system, gasoline 2024

    The fuel injectors may have been assembled without O-ring support discs, which can result in a fuel leak.

  • suspension 2024

    The rear suspension knuckles may have a casting defect that causes them to fail, which can result in a loss of vehicle handling and steering control.

  • brakes 2024

    The brake fluid level sensor may not be properly configured after a Body Control Module (BCM) service update, resulting in a constantly illuminated brake fluid level warning light that can conceal a low brake fluid condi…

  • transmission & drivetrain 2024

    The clutch pressure line may be improperly secured and contact hot exhaust components, which can result in melting of the clutch pressure line and cause a brake fluid leak.

  • fuel system, gasoline 2024

    The low-pressure fuel supply line may be damaged or cut, which can result in a fuel leak.

  • brakes 2023

    The brake pedal assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in a loose brake pedal.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Ford told dealers about

Ford sent dealers 127 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • Some 2024 Mustang vehicles equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine and built on or before…
  • Illuminated MIL with DTC P059F stored in the powertrain control
  • During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
NHTSA front crash test of the 2024 Ford Mustang
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Ford Mustang C RWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★
Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Ford Mustang Mach-E BEV SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
Ford Mustang Mach-E BEV SUV RWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines

About $700–3800 a year in electricity (EPA estimate).

In owners' words

Driving down the road all tire sensors went into default – started flickering on and off headlights kept flickering on and off AC kept working and then stopped working.

2024 Ford Mustang owner · NHTSA complaint 11689693
More owner reports

Condensing Core failed at 16k miles, 2024 new Ecoboost mustang. Been in the shop 3 weeks with no help.

NHTSA complaint 11677150

Infotainment system flickers/goes blank even after being repaired at Ford Service center. Back up camera unavailable and anything controlled by touchscreen does not work

NHTSA complaint 11746325

Quick answers

Is the 2024 Ford Mustang reliable?

It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn 2.1× the average car's complaints per car sold, against other 2024 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 213; 100 is average). The best Ford Mustang year by this measure is 2010.

What are the most common 2024 Ford Mustang problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (51%), engine (12%) and transmission & drivetrain (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2024 Ford Mustang have?

12 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2024 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.

Does the 2024 Ford Mustang have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2024 Ford Mustang cost in fuel a year?

About $700 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What Ford Mustang year is better than the 2024?

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

Updated

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