Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 8 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

8 total · 8 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V695000 · Oct 2025

A rearview camera that fails to properly display an 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. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V442000 · Jun 2025

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Electrical system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 23V727000 · Oct 2023

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Transmission recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 22V382000 · May 2022

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Brakes recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 20V573000 · Sep 2020

A broken brake pedal could affect braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal bracket assembly, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S52.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 20V575000 · Sep 2020

Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 20V306000 · May 2020

If the driver is unaware that the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not operating effectively, they may rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will perform the Lane Departure Warning System camera alignment procedure, free of charge. This recall began June 17, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S26.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Transmission recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 20V263000 · May 2020

If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being shifted into park, unintended vehicle movement may result, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S21.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

120 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
50

Most reports here involve transmission slipping. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

transmission slipping 14fluid leaks 12
A recent report: Ford has several technical service bulletins on their 10 speed transmission. I have 28,000 miles on my vehicle and need a new transmission. My service manager says that the earlier 10 speeds have…
Read full complaint

Ford has several technical service bulletins on their 10 speed transmission. I have 28,000 miles on my vehicle and need a new transmission. My service manager says that the earlier 10 speeds have issues with some components that are not strong enough, and that current transmissions have been strengthened. He recommended a new transmission rather than a rebuild, because not all of the weaker parts would be replaced with a rebuild. Ford should at least have to pay part of the cost of a new transmission, since their product appears to be defective. Don't have an invoice yet. Transmission on order, but about $9,500.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11764473 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
31

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 20fire 3
A recent report: I suspect an electrical problem/short is causing my passenger side window to open and close about half an inch uncontrollably. This has been a minor inconvenience but last time it happened, it…
Read full complaint

I suspect an electrical problem/short is causing my passenger side window to open and close about half an inch uncontrollably. This has been a minor inconvenience but last time it happened, it triggered the passenger door to open when driving. I had to pull over to manually secure the door. Very troubling safety issue.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11755854 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
15

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

loss of braking 7unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: My wife was pulling into her head-in parking space at work and the brakes did not slow the car down. She pressed the brakes hard. The car went over a curb and hit a fire hydrant. The fire hydrant…
Read full complaint

My wife was pulling into her head-in parking space at work and the brakes did not slow the car down. She pressed the brakes hard. The car went over a curb and hit a fire hydrant. The fire hydrant broke off and the car rolled over it. The car went into the street and she steered it to keep it out of traffic and stopped by using the parking brake. There were no warning lights. The airbag(s) did not deploy. There were no personal injuries. The car was inspected by a repair shop and deemed a total loss. A brake line was damaged during the crash. The repair shop personnel did not think the brakes failed prior to the accident because the master cylinder had fluid in it. No other brake inspections have been done.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11662734 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
5

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 4
A recent report: The contact owns a 2020 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an unusual whining sound. No warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an unusual whining sound. No warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the steering rack column was unusually loose. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed steering rack column. The contact was informed that the steering rack column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall repair which had a similar failure description, however the contact's VIN was not associated with the unknown recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11656311 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
6

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 4sudden stalling 1software faults 1
A recent report: My husband was notified via the Ford app that there was an issue with his airbag system. He called the dealership and set up an appointment. We brought in the car to German Ford dealership in…
Read full complaint

My husband was notified via the Ford app that there was an issue with his airbag system. He called the dealership and set up an appointment. We brought in the car to German Ford dealership in Beavercreek on 4 May, where they confirmed that the airbag was bad and needed to be replaced. They confirmed it was the airbag on the drivers side knee. The airbag light did come on, but we were under the impression airbags usually last the lifetime of the vehicle. Thankfully the car warranty covered the replacement, and we just had to pay the deductible. However, had my husband been in a crash that airbag would not have deployed, there is also the chance that the airbag could have deployed randomly while he was driving, which would have caused a potentially fatal crash.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11736144 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
6

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 2 mention a crash.

software faults 1
A recent report: Two issues actually 1. Back up camera gives the blue screen. Says unavailable and contact dealer. I have not yet as this just started. I am seeing a bunch of complaints on this though. 2. When I roll…
Read full complaint

Two issues actually 1. Back up camera gives the blue screen. Says unavailable and contact dealer. I have not yet as this just started. I am seeing a bunch of complaints on this though. 2. When I roll all the windows down then roll them up, the back triangle windows don't go up all the way. I have to get out of the car and pull them up all the way. Dealer said I just need to lube the edge and the groove they sit in. Which was tried. Didn't work. Could be a safety issue if I have to pull over and get out of the car to pull the windows up.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11682908 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
7

Most reports here involve fluid leaks. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

fluid leaks 1premature wear 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2020 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11705885 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 120 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2020 and 2026, roughly 20 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2020 has 120 complaints on file, fewer than the 2019 (148) and more than the 2021 (55). Of the 16 model years of the Ford Mustang we cover, the 2012 has the most (469). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.