Last updated: 2026-10-10

2019 Ford Mustang Reliability Report
The 2019 Ford Mustang rates good for reliability, but coolant leaking into the cylinders of the 2.3L EcoBoost is the main problem owners report.
Recalls
4
Complaints
129
Complaint Rate
17.8per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$709
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,400–$3,300
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Rates good and sits mid-pack among Mustang years, with EcoBoost coolant leaks as the main problem and repair costs above the class norm.
Top Issues to Watch
- ENGINE (30)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (26)
- POWER TRAIN (24)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2019 is 1 year after the 2018 update refresh.
- Year 5 in the Sixth generation (2015) (2015–2023).
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 6th generation Mustang (US).
What this means for buyers
Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.
2015: Sixth generation (2015) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2018: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2019: This Model Year
2019 is 1 year after the 2018 update refresh.
Should You Buy the 2019 Ford Mustang?
Reliability is good, though only close to average among 2019 coupes and in the middle of nine scored Mustang years. The 2018 and 2020 models rate about the same, so neither neighbor clearly wins. Federal crash testing gave 5 of 5 stars, but independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at $709, against $526 for the class.
The main risk is the 2.3L EcoBoost engine. Owners report coolant leaking into the cylinders, with rough cold starts, shaking at idle, misfire codes, and falling coolant. Failures run from 26,000 to 86,000 miles, often just after warranty ends, and dealers have quoted head gasket work or a full engine near $11,000. Electrical complaints include a blank digital instrument panel, power windows that lower on their own, and flickering backup cameras. The 10-speed automatic can shift hard, clunk, or slip.
Ask for records of any coolant loss or head gasket work on an EcoBoost car, and have a dealer check the VIN for open recalls. Test the gauges, windows, and camera.
Compared to the 2020 Ford Mustang, which scored 1 points lower. See also the 2018 Ford Mustang for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- +Low major repair risk (14%)
Cons
- −Above-average repair costs for its class
- −Moderate recall count
- −Above-average complaint rate for Coupe
Compare 2019 Ford Mustang With

2019 Chevrolet Camaro
Reliability: 74/100

2019 Chevrolet Corvette
Reliability: 63/100

2019 Tesla Model 3
Reliability: 49/100

2019 Honda Accord
Reliability: 70/100

2019 Toyota Camry
Reliability: 70/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 4 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ENGINE (30)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (26)
Recall Overview
4
recalls on record
A moderate 4 recalls are on file for the 2019 Ford Mustang. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
17.8
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 10.1
Safety Incidents
3
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2019 Ford Mustang Recall Details
4 recalls have been issued for the 2019 Ford Mustang. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
POWER TRAIN
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.
Consequence
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Consequence
A blank instrument cluster will not show important information like vehicle speed, fuel or temperature level, or safety system warnings. Driving with an inoperative cluster can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC), free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C03.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Consequence
A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank 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. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and May 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
Buying a used 2019 Ford Mustang? Check its history first
Engine problems lead owner complaints about the 2019 Ford Mustang, and 4 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2019 Ford Mustang NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 9.3%
Safety Technologies
Ford MustangRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$709
vs $526 avg for midsize cars
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.2
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
14%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
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.
This benchmark covers the Ford Mustang model overall and is not specific to the 2019 model year.
- 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.comMPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
18–25 MPG
Running cost: $3,100–$4,000/yr
Fuel + repair
15–21 city / 24–32 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2019 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mustang 2.3L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 21 | 32 | 25 | $2,400 |
| Mustang 2.3L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 21 | 31 | 25 | $2,400 |
| Mustang Convertible 2.3L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,600 |
| Mustang Convertible 2.3L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,600 |
| Mustang Performance Package 2.3L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,600 |
| Mustang Performance Package 2.3L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,600 |
| Mustang 5.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,150 |
| Mustang 5.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,300 |
| Mustang Bullitt 5.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,300 |
| Mustang Convertible 5.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,300 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2019 Ford Mustang.
Check the coolant reservoir cold, drive, and recheck. Falling coolant on the 2.3L EcoBoost suggests coolant intrusion.
Start the engine cold and watch for rough idle, misfire, or white exhaust smoke.
Ask for records of head gasket or engine replacement, and whether a newer engine block was installed.
Drive at highway speed and watch for a passenger door-ajar warning. Then push on the closed door from inside.
Run each window down and up and close the doors. Confirm the glass seals fully and stays up.
In an automatic, accelerate gently from 15 to 30 mph and feel for hesitation, jolts, or harsh shifts.
Shift into reverse several times and watch for a distorted, flickering, or unavailable backup camera image.
Check whether a standard lug wrench fits the lug nuts. Swollen nuts will not fit.
2019 Ford Mustang Common Problems by Component
129 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ENGINE
30 complaintsCoolant leaks into the cylinders of the 2.3L EcoBoost, usually into cylinders 2, 3, or 4. Warning signs include rough cold starts, shaking at idle, misfire codes, and falling coolant. Some cars lose power or stumble at highway speed. Reported failures run from 26,000 to 86,000 miles, often just after warranty ends. Dealers quote head gasket work or a full engine, with estimates near $11,000. Owners call it a known design flaw. Isolated reports include a GT350 that locked up at 450 miles and repeat oil pressure switch failures.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
26 complaintsThe digital instrument panel goes blank, sometimes while driving, and takes the speedometer and tachometer with it for several seconds. Some owners tie this to recall 19V076000, but many dealers cannot reproduce it. Power windows lower on their own, or the short-drop feature fails to raise the glass, and window motors get replaced more than once. Backup camera images flicker, distort, or show as unavailable. Other reports describe the passenger door unlatching at speed, total electrical shutdowns, and driver-assist systems dropping out, which some owners link to campaign 22V382000.
POWER TRAIN
24 complaintsThe 10-speed automatic shifts hard, clunks, slips, or hesitates and then lurches. A few cars stall at a stop or creep forward without throttle. One dealer traced a jolt at 15 to 30 mph to an internal clutch drum leak. Manual-transmission owners describe harsh, imprecise shifts. Many complaints in this category actually describe EcoBoost head gasket and coolant intrusion failures. Others concern campaign 22V382000, with blacked-out gauges, missing gear indicators, and failed cameras. One dealer refused that recall on a supercharged car.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (14 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
14 complaintsSafety-relatedThese reports are a mixed group. Backup cameras blink, blank out, or work only sometimes. Aluminum shift forks crack, and owners cite a service bulletin that switched to steel parts. Passenger doors open on the highway. Coolant intrusion, swollen lug nuts, and instrument clusters that keep going blank after the recall show up again here. One crash followed a parking brake that released on a parked manual car. Other complaints cover rodents chewing wiring, a radio screen that freezes on long drives, and an unlit shift lever.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (8 complaints)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
8 complaintsCoolant intrusion is the main failure here. Coolant drops between oil changes, white smoke comes from the exhaust at startup, and misfires return after new spark plugs and coils. Dealers then diagnose a damaged head gasket or call for engine replacement. Reported failures range from 54,807 to 130,000 miles. One owner linked the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12. Separate reports describe lifter or cam phaser ticking with idle drops, and an external coolant pipe leak at 16,600 miles.
STEERING (5 complaints)
STEERING
5 complaintsSafety-relatedPower steering assist cuts out, which makes turning hard. In some cases the wheel jerks the opposite way, and one car left the road. The usual repair is a new steering rack, and one shop could not get the part. Other complaints describe grinding at low speed that grows louder, and stability control, traction control, and ABS warnings that appear and clear on their own. One crash with an injury involved a spin on a curve at about 15,000 miles.
STRUCTURE (5 complaints)
STRUCTURE
5 complaintsThe passenger door partly unlatches while driving. A door-ajar chime sounds, and the driver has to pull over to reclose it. Reports put it anywhere from 20 to 40 mph up to 60 to 75 mph, sometimes several times a week, and it gets more frequent over time. Owners say earlier Mustangs were recalled for door latches but this year was not included. One complaint describes a factory gap in the front bumper under the passenger headlight that dealers refuse to fix.
WHEELS (5 complaints)
WHEELS
5 complaintsThe outer shells of the lug nuts swell, so standard wrenches no longer fit and tires cannot be rotated or changed at the roadside. Dealers replace the lug nuts, sometimes all 16, and owners say it is a common Ford problem, even in dry climates. Other complaints describe uneven tire wear from bad alignment that a dealer would not cover because of aftermarket wheels, and tire failures that a dealer diagnosed as slashing.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (3 complaints)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
3 complaintsFront doors unlatch on their own while driving, often after a bump or at 70 to 75 mph. The door opens slightly and a door-ajar warning comes on. Some doors can be pushed open from inside without using the handle. Dealers say the car is not covered by campaign 17V652000. In one case the dealer said a related campaign expired in November 2025. None of these cars were repaired.
SEAT BELTS (2 complaints)
SEAT BELTS
2 complaintsBoth front seat belts are slow to retract or do not retract at all. One dealer diagnosed a delayed retractor and recommended replacing both belts at about 46,791 miles. The only other report in this category is mostly unrelated. It describes wrong GPS directions, repeated dead batteries, and windows found open after parking, with only a passing mention of seat belt warnings.
When Do 2019 Ford Mustang Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Ford Mustang Years
Best Ford Mustang Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2023
2024
2019
(Current Model)
Ford Mustang Years to Avoid
Ford Mustang Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| 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 |
Ford Mustang Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2019 Ford Mustang reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Ford Mustang?
Does the 2019 Ford Mustang have head gasket problems?
How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Mustang have?
How much does it cost to repair a 2019 Ford Mustang?
Don’t buy a 2019 Ford Mustang without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2019 Ford Mustang
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2019 Ford Mustang does best on how many systems draw complaints (85/100) and worst on complaint severity (55/100). 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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