Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2020-07-27 and 2026-08-20. Median delay from incident to filing: 21 days.
Analysis
The previous model year (2019) drew 19.2 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2021) drew 9.7 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2020 model collected 21 complaints, 63% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (23.7% of complaints), followed by Engine (22.0%) and Transmission / powertrain (15.3%). Electrical complaints are 1.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Electrical reports, owners most often mention “camera”, “prevention”, “screen”, “blue” and “distorted”. 18 reports (15.3%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 8 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 52 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (38% of incidents). In the last 12 months 27 new complaints were filed, versus 31 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for this model year. 52% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance” (opened 2021-08-03, still open).
Safety recalls (8)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 25V695000 · 2025-10-13
Summary: 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 letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE Campaign 25V442000 · 2025-06-27
Summary: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM Campaign 23V727000 · 2023-10-27
Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) Campaign 22V382000 · 2022-05-27
Summary: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES Campaign 20V573000 · 2020-09-23
Summary: 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 20V575000 · 2020-09-23
Summary: 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.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 20V306000 · 2020-05-27
Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) Campaign 20V263000 · 2020-05-08
Summary: 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.
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Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2020 Ford Mustang?
118 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Ford Mustang, or about 17.7 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2020 Ford Mustang?
The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 23.7% of complaints.
Does the 2020 Ford Mustang have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 safety recall(s) for this model year. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance” (opened 2021-08-03, still open).
Is the 2020 Ford Mustang still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 27 new complaints were filed, versus 31 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2020 Ford Mustang compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 118 owner complaints about the 2020 Ford Mustang, or 17.7 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.42, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 82 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #33 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Ford models its rate is 67% lower; against other Sports & muscle cars it is 40% higher.