2021 Ford Mustang: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
55 NHTSA owner complaints · 6 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Mustang's record is moderate and steady through the fifth generation (2005–2014). The sixth generation launched for 2015 with the 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine and independent rear suspension, and the 2015 year carries the highest count of the modern car — the EcoBoost's head-gasket and coolant complaints, and the six-speed automatic. Read the full note on the model page. 2021 specifically: a year the record favours — 55 complaints, score 77/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used Ford Mustang: the years to avoid and the years to buy, including 2021 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-16.
Owner complaints: 55 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 11.0
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Driver door opened to secondary latch position while driving on the highway at 70mph on 5/16/2026. The warning system came on and driver had to navigate holding the door and stopping safely during high speed traffic to close the door. Will take to dealership when next available opening day. No accident or police were involved. Driver found older warning affecting same year,make,model for recall but unsure if problem …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle shuddered while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that there was a banging sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated while pulling over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove slowly to the destination. The contact then receive…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started losing automotive power. The vehicle had stalled several times. The vehicle was able to restart, and the loss of automotive power was intermittent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part was not yet available. The contact called a …
Recalls: 6 campaigns (5 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 25V455000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 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. |
| 25V689000 | Electrical System:Body Control Module/Bcm | 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. |
| 22V083000 | Air Bags:Knee Bolster | 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. |
| 21V980000 | Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain | 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. |
| 25V442000 | Back Over Prevention:Software | 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… |
| 23V727000 | Electrical System:Body Control Module/Bcm | 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. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a sports car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 25 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,700
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Fuel System10 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
- Gasoline10 complaints · typical job: Fuel delivery and emissions repair (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,360
- Power Train9 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Engine8 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Electrical System6 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Fuel/Propulsion System5 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
Other Ford Mustang years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Ford Mustang?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Fuel System (10 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2021 Ford Mustang a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 77/100, computed from 55 NHTSA complaints and 6 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2021 Ford Mustang's most common problem?
10 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2021 Ford Mustang sit in the Fuel System group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is fuel pump or injector replacement: about 3.5 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $680–$1,620 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2021 Ford Mustang cost to run per year?
About $4,279 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $21,395 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2021 Ford Mustang have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for the 2021 Ford Mustang, 5 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 07/07/2025. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other sportss of about the same age.
What will a 2021 Ford Mustang really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Moderate evidence — 55 complaints, 6 recalls on record
- 55 NHTSA complaints on record (11.0/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (29.4/yr)
- 6 recall campaigns, 5 touching safety-critical systems