2026 Ford Mustang: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2026 Ford Mustang at 12–26 mpg combined across 6 versions. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
5
EPA combined mpg
12–26
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as MUSTANG GTD.
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.
2026 Ford Mustang recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 5 safety recalls for the 2026 Ford Mustang, newest first.
Electrical system: Wiring
NHTSA 26V547000Reported Aug 25, 2026
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26C40)
Units affected
148,663 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Mustang vehicles. The engine compartment wiring harness ground connections may fracture and result in a loss of drive power, or a loss of function in the windshield washing system, headlights, air conditioning, or engine cooling fan. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," and 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
Risk
A loss of driver power increases the risk of a crash. In addition, a loss of headlight function or windshield washing system function can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the engine compartment wiring harness ground terminals, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in March 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 28, 2026.
Engine and engine cooling: Engine: Hard parts internal/mechanical
NHTSA 26V548000Reported Aug 25, 2026
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S61)
Units affected
10,001 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
Risk
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 28, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26C32)
Units affected
67,994 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Mustang and 2025-2026 Mustang GTD vehicles. During certain cold temperature conditions, the windshield wipers may function only at their high-speed setting and the washing system may fail to function properly.
Risk
Windshield wipers or a washing system that fails to function as intended can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the wiper motor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C32. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 2, 2026.
Engine and engine cooling: Engine: Hard parts internal/mechanical
NHTSA 26V205000Reported Mar 31, 2026
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 26S23)
Units affected
278 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles. The engine piston circlips may have been incorrectly installed during manufacturing, which can result in piston failure and engine damage, leading to a loss of drive power.
Risk
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or mis-installed circlips and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S23. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25SD3)
Units affected
6 (estimate)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
Risk
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a fire. In addition, the loss of oil can result in engine seizure and loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still within dealership inventory and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 24, 2025.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2026 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.
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.
2026 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.
2026 Ford Mustang NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2026 FORD MUSTANG 2 DR N/A RWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
7.9%
No
2026 FORD MUSTANG C N/A RWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
5 stars
7.9%
No
2026 FORD MUSTANG GTD 2 DR N/A RWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
7.9%
No
2026 FORD MUSTANG NO REAR SEAT 2 DR N/A RWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
7.9%
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.
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2026 Ford Mustang owner complaints
Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026 Ford Mustang, most recently on Sep 28, 2026. 2 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2026 Ford Mustang complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Engine
3
Electrical system
2
Service brakes
2
Power train
1
Unknown or other
1
Vehicle speed control
1
Vehicle speed control: Accelerator pedal
1
Visibility/wiper
1
Wheels
1
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
