Last updated: 2026-10-10
Ford Mustang Reliability by Year
Ford Mustang reliability is good overall. Blank screens and rough automatic shifts are the complaints to check for before you buy.
Ford Mustang Reliability Overview
Used Mustangs rate good overall and sit close to average among coupes, though yearly repair costs run above the midsize norm. The 2023 is the safest pick, while 2021 and 2022 draw the most trouble. Screens going dark, including the instrument cluster, are the top complaint. Harsh, jerky shifts from the automatic come next. Skip 2021 in particular.
Current generation: 7th gen (2024–2023).
Best & Worst Ford Mustang Years
Best Ford Mustang Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2023 has 14 owner complaints, against 373 for the 2021 and 154 for the 2022, and it has been on the road long enough for that to mean something. Its reports center on steering vibration, not the screen failures and shift problems that dominate the weaker years. Check the steering on a test drive.
Ford Mustang Years to Avoid
Electrical failures lead the 2021 reports. Cars lose power or shut down while driving, often after a battery service warning. The front camera also cuts out, which disables collision warning and adaptive cruise. Owners describe harsh, jerky shifts from the 10R80 automatic as well. This year has 373 complaints and 18 recalls.
Ford Mustang Reliability Score Trend
Ford Mustang reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 70/100 compared to 63/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 65/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 67/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 54/100 | Mixed |
| 2022 | 59/100 | Mixed |
| 2023 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 67/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 78/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Ford Mustang
1 recalls · 0 complaints
The newest year ranks first of nine scored Mustang years and has no owner complaints yet, but it carries one engine recall.
2025 Ford Mustang
3 recalls · 8 complaints
Good standing with only 8 owner complaints and 3 recalls, a much cleaner record than the 2024 model's 63 complaints and 10 recalls.
2024 Ford Mustang
10 recalls · 63 complaints
Draws the most complaints of the neighboring years, led by blank screens and air bags that stayed off in crashes, with one do-not-drive recall.
2023 Ford Mustang
6 recalls · 14 complaints
Rates better than both 2022 and 2024 and is among the stronger Mustang years, though steering shaking and sudden power loss lead its complaints.
2022 Ford Mustang
17 recalls · 154 complaints
Weaker than most Mustang years, with electrical shutdowns, unintended low-speed acceleration, and 17 recalls, though it draws far fewer complaints than the 2021.
2021 Ford Mustang
18 recalls · 373 complaints
Weakest of nine scored Mustang years, with more complaints than the years on either side and recurring electrical shutdowns and front camera faults.
2020 Ford Mustang
8 recalls · 101 complaints
Sits mid-pack among nine scored years and rates better than 2021, with owner reports of camera, transmission, brake bracket and engine coolant trouble.
2019 Ford Mustang
4 recalls · 129 complaints
Rates good and sits mid-pack among Mustang years, with EcoBoost coolant leaks as the main problem and repair costs above the class norm.
2018 Ford Mustang
4 recalls · 172 complaints
One of the weaker Mustang years, with coolant leaking into EcoBoost cylinders, harsh automatic shifts, and doors that unlatch while driving.
Found Your Ford Mustang? Check Its History
Electrical system (1) problems come up most in Ford Mustang owner complaints, and 71 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Ford Mustang Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$709
Repair Frequency
0.2/yr
Major Repair Risk
14%
$183 above the midsize cars average of $526/yr.
Ranked #20 of 24 among midsize cars.
Ford Mustang Resale Value
The Ford Mustang is estimated to retain about 76.8% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 76.8%
- Depreciation
- 23.2%
- Listings Analyzed
- 720
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Ford Mustang depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comFord Mustang Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Ford Models
Compare all Ford models by reliability
Compare Ford Mustang With Similar Coupes
The Ford Mustang competes with other midsize coupes such as Chevrolet Camaro, Toyota Supra, and Chevrolet Corvette.
Mustang vs Chevrolet Camaro
6 years tracked · 168 complaints
Mustang vs Toyota Supra
7 years tracked · 41 complaints
Mustang vs Chevrolet Corvette
8 years tracked · 276 complaints
Mustang vs Tesla Model 3
9 years tracked · 3948 complaints
Mustang vs Toyota Camry
9 years tracked · 1604 complaints
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Ford Mustang reliable?
- Yes, the Mustang earns a good overall standing and sits close to average among coupes. The weak spots are electrical screens, automatic shifts, and coolant leaks on the 2.3L EcoBoost engine. Year choice matters a lot, because 2021 and 2022 are clearly weaker than 2023.
- What is the best year for the Ford Mustang?
- The 2023 is our pick among years that have been on the road at least two years. It has only 14 owner complaints. The 2025 and 2026 show even fewer, but they are too new for that to prove much.
- What are the most common Ford Mustang problems?
- Electrical trouble leads, with 269 complaints. Screens go dark, including the digital instrument cluster, and backup camera images turn blue or black. Power train problems come next, mainly harsh or slipping shifts. Engine coolant leaks and a front camera fault that shuts off emergency braking also appear.
- How much does a Ford Mustang cost to repair?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual cost at $709, against $526 for midsize cars on average. Individual jobs can run higher. Dealers quote $740 to $1412.70 for a touchscreen module, and out-of-warranty front camera repairs are quoted at $4K or more.
- Does the Ford Mustang 2.3L EcoBoost have engine problems?
- Some do. Most engine complaints involve coolant leaking into the cylinders on the 2.3L EcoBoost, with a rough cold start, a check engine light, and misfire codes. Several failures landed between about 40,000 and 70,915 miles. Dealers often recommend a full engine replacement, and one owner quotes $12,000.
How we score the Ford Mustang
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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