Model year 2021 · Subcompact Cars

2021 Ford Mustang: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2021 Ford Mustang at 14–25 mpg combined across 16 versions. NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 55 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

EPA combined mpg

14–25

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Ford dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2021 Ford Mustang recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 6 safety recalls for the 2021 Ford Mustang, newest first.

Electrical system: Body control module/bcm

NHTSA 25V689000 Reported Oct 10, 2025

Filed by: Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25C55)
Units affected: 2,101 (estimate)
Problem: 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."
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.
Remedy: 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 recall record on nhtsa.gov

Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump

NHTSA 25V455000 Reported Jul 7, 2025

Filed by: Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25S75)
Units affected: 850,318 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 recall record on nhtsa.gov

Back over prevention: Software

NHTSA 25V442000 Reported Jun 27, 2025

Filed by: Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25S72)
Units affected: 200,237 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
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.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Electrical system: Body control module/bcm

NHTSA 23V727000 Reported Oct 27, 2023

Filed by: Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 23C35)
Units affected: 187,922 (estimate)
Problem: 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."
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.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Air bags: Knee bolster

NHTSA 22V083000 Reported Feb 16, 2022

Filed by: Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 22S07)
Units affected: 327 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
Risk: An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: 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 recall record on nhtsa.gov

Air bags: Side/window: Curtain

NHTSA 21V980000 Reported Dec 16, 2021

Filed by: Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 21C37)
Units affected: 93 (estimate)
Problem: 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."
Risk: An air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: 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 recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2021 Ford Mustang fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2021 Ford Mustang EPA fuel economy
Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Fuel	City/Hwy/Comb	Fuel cost/yr	CO2 g/mi
Mustang	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Manual 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	21/29/24 mpg	$2,800	373
Mustang	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 10-speed	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	21/32/25 mpg	$2,700	356
Mustang	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 10-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	21/32/25 mpg	$2,700	354
Mustang	5.0L 8-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/24/18 mpg	$3,700	490
Mustang	5.0L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-speed	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/24/19 mpg	$3,550	479
Mustang Convertible	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Manual 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	20/27/23 mpg	$2,900	386
Mustang Convertible	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 10-speed	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	20/28/23 mpg	$2,900	387
Mustang Convertible	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 10-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	20/28/23 mpg	$2,900	387
Mustang Convertible	5.0L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-speed	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/23/18 mpg	$3,700	493
Mustang HO Convertible	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Manual 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	19/25/21 mpg	$3,200	415
Mustang HO Convertible	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 10-speed	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	19/26/22 mpg	$3,050	404
Mustang HO Coupe	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Manual 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	20/27/22 mpg	$3,050	397
Mustang HO Coupe	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 10-speed	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	20/27/23 mpg	$2,900	386
Mustang Mach 1	5.0L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-speed	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/23/18 mpg	$3,700	494
Mustang Mach 1	5.0L 8-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	14/22/17 mpg	$3,950	523
Shelby GT500 Mustang	5.2L 8-cyl supercharged	Automatic 7-speed	Rear-Wheel Drive	Premium	12/18/14 mpg	$5,850	631

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2021 Ford Mustang crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2021 Ford Mustang NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk	Forward collision warning
2021 Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	9.3%	Optional
2021 Ford Mustang C RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	5 stars	8.1%	Optional
2021 Ford Mustang GT500 2 DR RWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	9.3%	No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2021 Ford Mustang owner complaints

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Mustang, most recently on Jun 22, 2026. 4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2021 Ford Mustang complaints
Component named in complaints	Mentions
Fuel system, gasoline	10
Power train	9
Engine	8
Electrical system	6
Fuel/propulsion system	5
Unknown or other	5
Suspension	3
Air bags	2
Back over prevention	2
Back over prevention: Rearview system braking	2

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Ford Mustang model years

Ford Mustang by model year
Year	Combined	Recalls	Complaints	Overall rating
2026 Mustang	12–26 mpg	5	8	5/5
2025 Mustang	12–26 mpg	6	19	5/5
2024 Mustang	17–26 mpg	12	84	5/5
2023 Mustang	17–25 mpg	6	15	5/5
2022 Mustang	14–25 mpg	9	50	5/5
2020 Mustang	14–25 mpg	8	121	5/5
2019 Mustang	16–25 mpg	6	151	5/5
2018 Mustang	16–25 mpg	3	196	5/5
2017 Mustang	16–24 mpg	6	268	5/5
2016 Mustang	16–25 mpg	5	380	5/5
2015 Mustang	18–25 mpg	11	438	5/5

All Ford Mustang years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2021 Ford models

2021 Ford Bronco 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 2021 Ford EcoSport 2021 Ford Edge 2021 Ford Escape 2021 Ford Expedition 2021 Ford Explorer 2021 Ford F150 2021 Ford GT 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E 2021 Ford Ranger 2021 Ford Transit Connect 2021 Ford Transit T150 Wagon

Sources

Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 28, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Ford.