KnownCarProblems2021 Ford Mustang Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Mustang, most often about the fuel system (27% of complaints, typically around 9,000 miles). It is 23rd of 27 Mustang model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2021 Ford Mustang problems
Fuel system
15 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 9,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v455000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving in stop-and-go traffic, the vehicle hesitated. The contact pulled into a gas…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that in may 2025, there was a misfire in the engine after refueling with warm fuel. The check engine warning light was flashing on the instrument cluster. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v455000 (fuel system, gasoline); and…
Engine
10 complaints · 18%Parts named most often: exhaust system.
Transmission
9 complaints · 16%Electrical
6 complaints · 11%Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 9%Brakes
5 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: brake fluid low warning.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the brake fluid low warning light failed to illuminate to alert him that the brake fluid level was low. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made…
The contact leased a 2021 Ford Mustang from an enterprise rental company. The contact stated while driving approximately 3-5 MPH and coming to a complete stop, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond, lunged forward, and hit the rear of the vehicle before him. The contact stated that it was a…
Backup camera
4 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: rearview system braking.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was distorted and black intermittently. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that rearview camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera display glitched and switched between a black and a blue colored screen. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was…
Suspension
3 complaints · 6%The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a popping sound coming from the front driver's and passenger's side wheel wells. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while making a turn or while reversing. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Ford Mustang recalls
Electrical: body control module/bcm
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed december 11, 2025. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25c55. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning november 17, 2025.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 mustang vehicles repaired incorrectly under recall number 23v727. The brake fluid level sensor may not activate the visual warning indicator when the brake fluid is low. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 135, "light vehicle brake systems."
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed july 27, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25s75.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 bronco, explorer, lincoln aviator, f-250 sd, f-350 sd, f-450 sd, f-550 sd, 2021-2022 lincoln navigator, mustang, f-150, and 2022 expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Backup camera: software
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 transit connect, 2019-2020 mkz, mkx, edge, continental, f-150, nautilus, fusion, 2019-2023 ranger, mustang, 2020-2021 ecosport, expedition, navigator, 2020-2022 escape, f-250 sd, corsair, 2020-2023 aviator, transit, 2020-2024 explorer, 2021-2024 bronco sport, and 2022-2024 maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Electrical: body control module/bcm
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 mustang vehicles. The brake fluid level sensor may not activate the visual warning indicator when the brake fluid is low. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 135, "light vehicle brake systems."
Air bags: knee bolster
Risk: An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front passenger knee air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on march 8, 2022. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22s07.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 mustang vehicles. An insufficient weld on the front passenger knee air bag may result in an improper air bag deployment.
Air bags: curtain
Risk: An air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on february 3, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on april 22, 2022. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21c37.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2021 mustang vehicles. The side curtain air bag inflators may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in improper air bag inflation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard numbers 226, "ejection mitigation," and 214, "side impact protection."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2021 Ford Mustang
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Mustang?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (15 complaints, typically around 9,000 miles); engine (10 complaints); transmission (9 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Mustang have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 10, 2025 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Ford Mustang?
- It is 23rd of 27 Mustang model years by number of complaints, with 55 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.