173 of the 658 complaints about the Ford Mustang (26.3%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.2× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
173Complaints · Engine
26.3%Share of complaints
1.18×vs. all vehicles
45Last 12 months
2.9%Share involving a crash or fire
2Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2018 model (60, 32% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (1). 45 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 60 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
Owners most often describe: “coolant”, “engine”, “ecoboost”, “head gasket” and “cylinders”. 6 of these reports (2.9%) describe a crash or fire, with 3 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 26V122000 (2026-03-03, model years 2025).
A 2020 Ford Mustang eco boost premium 2.3L L4 DOHC 16 valve 6-speed manual with push button start convertible top burst into flames on [XXX] at about [XXX].
Engine · 2024-08-19 · ODI 11609468 · Fire
This 2020 Mustang GT VIN# [XXX] with 9,600 miles was a total loss that happened on 10/28/2022 paid out by Insurance company USAA [phone]. Please take note that this vehicle was a TOTAL LOSS with severe FRAME DAMAGE.
Engine · 2023-08-30 · ODI 11541615 · Crash
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that upon start the check engine warning light was illuminated.
Engine · 2026-08-27 · ODI 11760142
2020 Ford Mustang with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle has a documented history of coolant loss with no visible external leak, consistent with the known coolant-intrusion defect in Ford's 2.3L EcoBoost engines where coolant leaks internally into the…
Engine · 2026-08-20 · ODI 11758368
My 2019 Ford Mustang equipped with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine developed a check-engine light, rough startups, engine misfires/rough running, and some engine knocking. The vehicle had approximately 87,453 miles.
Engine · 2026-08-18 · ODI 11757812
2018 WITH 118,000 MILES. Had to get a full block engine replacement due to coolant intrusion into the cylinders. This was diagnosed and replaced at a Ford dealership.
Engine · 2026-08-17 · ODI 11757459
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) Campaign 26V122000 · 2026-03-03 · Model years: 2025
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER Campaign 18E035000 · 2018-05-24 · Model years: 2018
Summary: Roush Performance Products, Inc. (Roush) is recalling certain aftermarket supercharger kits, part number R1318-6006P1-AA, sold for installation on 2018 Ford Mustangs. The hose barb fittings on the supercharger kits may be manufactured incorrectly, possibly causing damage to the fuel lines and resulting in a fuel leak.
Remedy: Roush will notify the known owners and replace the defective fuel rail subassemblies, free of charge. The recall began on May 31, 2018. Owners may contact Roush customer service at 1-800-597-6874. Roush's number for this recall is REMay2018.
Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Ford Mustang?
173 of the 658 complaints about the Ford Mustang (26.3%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.2× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Ford Mustang model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2018 model (60, 32% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (1).
Is there a recall for Ford Mustang Engine problems?
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 26V122000 (2026-03-03, model years 2025).