Is the Ford Mustang more reliable than the Toyota Supra?

Based on our data, the Toyota Supra is more reliable with an average score of 69/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Ford Mustang or the Toyota Supra?

The Ford Mustang has more recalls (71) compared to the Toyota Supra (17). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Mustang or the Toyota Supra?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford Mustang has a lower complaint rate at 5.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 14.2 for the Toyota Supra. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Mustang or the Toyota Supra?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Supra is cheaper to maintain at $526/year versus $709/year for the Ford Mustang.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Ford Mustang vs Toyota Supra: Reliability Compared

Ford Mustang

Good

More Reliable

Toyota Supra

Good

Choosing between the Ford Mustang and the Toyota Supra? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize coupes.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota Supra currently leads with an average score of 69/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Ford Mustang and Toyota Supra Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Ford Mustang is in its seventh generation, which began in 2024. Being early in its generation cycle, potential buyers should be aware that newer platforms sometimes experience first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial quirks. The previous sixth-generation Mustang, which ran from 2015 to 2023, saw a significant update in 2018, which allowed for a more refined and reliable experience. In contrast, the Toyota Supra is in its fifth generation, which started in 2019 and concluded in 2023. This generation was relatively short, suggesting that its platform might still be maturing. The Supra's previous fourth generation, known for its durability, ran from 1994 to 1998 and was well-regarded for its reliability, highlighting the benefits of a mature platform.

Verdict

The Toyota Supra is more reliable than the Ford Mustang, scoring 69/100 vs 65/100.

The Toyota Supra edges out the Ford Mustang in reliability with a slightly higher average score of 69/100 compared to the Mustang's 65/100. The Supra has significantly fewer total recalls, with only 17 across seven years, whereas the Mustang has experienced 71 over nine years. Additionally, the estimated annual repair cost for the Supra is lower at $526 versus the Mustang's $709. However, the Supra does have a higher owner complaint rate per 10,000 vehicles sold, at 14.2 compared to the Mustang's 5.7, indicating that while it may have fewer recalls and lower repair costs, the frequency of issues per unit sold is higher.

Key Differences

1Toyota Supra costs $183 less per year to repair
2Toyota Supra has 54 fewer total recalls
3Ford Mustang has 8.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Ford Mustang

—

3Toyota Supra

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair Frequency

Ford Mustang vs Toyota Supra: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Mustang vs Toyota Supra at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Ford Mustang	Toyota Supra
Reliability Score	65/100	69/100
Years Tracked	9	7
Total Recalls	71	17
Complaints per 10k Sold	5.7	14.2
Annual Repair Cost	$709/yr	$526/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.3/yr
Year Wins	2	4

What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Mustang and Toyota Supra?

The Ford Mustang exhibits a higher volume of complaints overall, particularly in the electrical system and power train categories, with substantial numbers of crash-linked incidents in both areas. The Mustang's service brakes and steering also show significant concern, each with multiple crash-linked complaints. In contrast, the Toyota Supra has far fewer complaints, with the most notable issues being in the electrical system and engine, though these are not linked to crashes. The Supra's safety-related concerns, such as steering and service brakes, are minimal compared to the Mustang, suggesting better reliability in these areas.

Ford Mustang vs Toyota Supra common problem areas comparison
Component	Ford Mustang	Toyota Supra
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.5Low	3.5Average
ENGINE	0.5Very Low	2.4Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	1.7Low
STEERING	0.3Very Low	1.7Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	0.7Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.9Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.3Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	0.2Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.1Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES	0.1Very Low	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Mustang or Toyota Supra?

Industry estimates suggest that the Ford Mustang incurs an annual repair cost of $709, which is $183 more than the Toyota Supra's $526. Over five years, this difference amounts to $915. In terms of repair frequency, the Mustang requires 0.2 visits per year, slightly less than the Supra’s 0.3 visits. However, the Mustang carries a 14% risk of major repairs, a factor not specified for the Supra. For cost-conscious buyers, the Toyota Supra presents a better value, with lower annual repair costs and a slightly higher repair frequency but without the noted major repair risk associated with the Mustang.

How Does Ford Mustang vs Toyota Supra Reliability Compare by Year?

Ford Mustang vs Toyota Supra year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Ford Mustang	Toyota Supra	Edge
2025	73/1003R / 8C	78/1000R / 0C	Toyota Supra
2024	67/10010R / 63C	73/1000R / 1C	Toyota Supra
2023	72/1006R / 14C	69/1002R / 5C	Ford Mustang
2022	59/10017R / 154C	68/1002R / 1C	Toyota Supra
2021	54/10018R / 373C	64/1005R / 19C	Toyota Supra
2020	66/1008R / 101C	63/1008R / 15C	Ford Mustang
2026(predicted)	71/100(predicted)	73/100(predicted)	Toyota Supra

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Ford Mustang scored 73/100 and the 2025 Toyota Supra scored 78/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Ford Mustang vs the Toyota Supra?

If you prioritize low running costs and a lower likelihood of facing recalls, the Toyota Supra is your best choice. With a reliability score of 69/100, the Supra has only 17 total recalls and an estimated annual repair cost of $526. Despite having more owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 14.2, the lower recall frequency and repair costs make it a more budget-friendly option for those who value cost efficiency. On the other hand, if you are drawn to a car with fewer owner complaints and are willing to accept a slightly higher annual repair cost, the Ford Mustang could be more appealing. With a reliability score of 65/100, it has 71 recalls but only 5.7 complaints per 10,000 sold. The Mustang's estimated annual repair cost is $709, with a repair frequency of 0.2 per year, making it a solid choice if you prioritize fewer everyday issues.

Ford Mustang vs Toyota Supra: Common Questions

Is the Ford Mustang more reliable than the Toyota Supra?: Based on our data, the Toyota Supra is more reliable with an average score of 69/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Ford Mustang or the Toyota Supra?: The Ford Mustang has more recalls (71) compared to the Toyota Supra (17). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Mustang or the Toyota Supra?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford Mustang has a lower complaint rate at 5.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 14.2 for the Toyota Supra. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Mustang or the Toyota Supra?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Supra is cheaper to maintain at $526/year versus $709/year for the Ford Mustang.

More Ford Mustang comparisons

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More Toyota Supra comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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