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 2021-11-26 and 2026-06-22. Median delay from incident to filing: 39 days.
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 17.7 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 10.5 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 10 complaints, 84% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Fuel system (20.0% of complaints), followed by Engine (18.2%) and Electrical (16.4%). Fuel system complaints are 4.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Fuel system reports, owners most often mention “system gasoline”, “fuel system”, “notification fuel”, “amount recall” and “exceeded reasonable”. 4 reports (7.3%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 42 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (46% of incidents). In the last 12 months 16 new complaints were filed, versus 15 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for this model year. 42% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Safety recalls (6)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM Campaign 25V689000 · 2025-10-10
Summary: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Campaign 25V455000 · 2025-07-07
Summary: 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.
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.
AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER Campaign 22V083000 · 2022-02-16
Summary: 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.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN Campaign 21V980000 · 2021-12-16
Summary: 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.
How to check whether your car has an open recall ›
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2021 Ford Mustang?
55 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Mustang, or about 9.7 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2021 Ford Mustang?
The most common category is Fuel system, accounting for 20.0% of complaints.
Does the 2021 Ford Mustang have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2021 Ford Mustang still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 16 new complaints were filed, versus 15 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2021 Ford Mustang compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 55 owner complaints about the 2021 Ford Mustang, or 9.7 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.23, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #19 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Ford models its rate is 82% lower; against other Sports & muscle cars it is 23% lower.