2026 Ford Mustang Safety Report
2026 Ford Mustang Safety Recall: Engine Issue
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2026 Ford Mustang
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2026 Ford Mustang. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (0) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2025 | Compare against the 2025 Ford Mustang with 8 complaints and 4 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Ford Mustang before buying across this generation. |
Ford Mustang Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Ford Mustang years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Ford Mustang | 8 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Ford Mustang | 64 | 10 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Ford Mustang | 39 | 9 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Ford Mustang | 51 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Ford Mustang | 107 | 8 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Ford Mustang | 131 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
AI Safety Analysis for the 2026 Ford Mustang
Reliability Score
The 2026 Ford Mustang receives a reliability score of 92 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2026 Ford Mustang
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2026 Ford Mustang
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2026 Ford Mustang:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Defect A defect in the engine control module may cause the engine to stall, leading to a loss of vehicle control. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2026 Ford Mustang:
The engine control module is the most frequently reported issue.
Recall Details for the 2026 Ford Mustang
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2026 Ford Mustang by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the 2026 Ford Mustang
TSBs are manufacturer-acknowledged issues with recommended fixes. Unlike recalls, TSB repairs are not always free.
This bulletin supersedes 25-2621. Reason for update: add 2026 model year vehicles and Transit, update the causal part number (15604), update the Service Procedure, update the service labor operations for 2023 F-Super Duty, and add service labor operations for Transit. Some vehicles listed in the Mod...
Some 2025-2026 Bronco, Bronco Sport, F-Super Duty, Maverick, Mustang, Mustang Mach-E, Ranger and Transit vehicles may exhibit a no audio/sound condition. This may be due to the software in the audio control module (ACM). To determine if it is a software concern, disconnect the vehicle's 12-volt batt...
Quality improvements include: -Enhanced center screen stability
Some 2026 Mustang vehicles built on or before 01-Dec-2025 and equipped with a 5.0L or 2.3L engine may exhibit various drivability symptoms and/or have diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) related to throttle/pedal position circuits. This may be caused by a sp...
Various 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC). This may also be accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)...
For 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum transducer (PVT) when available. When referred to a specific clutch (A-F) test by ...
For 2021-2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum transducer (PVT) when available. The Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated under...
For 20172026 vehicles equipped with a 10R transmission, a revision to the Road Testing Vehicle procedure has been made in the WSM, located in Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing. This updated procedure improves the diagnosis of customer reported transmission concerns and aids in locating the pro...
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Ford Mustang
Has the 2026 FORD MUSTANG been recalled?
Yes, the 2026 FORD MUSTANG has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2026 FORD MUSTANG have?
The 2026 FORD MUSTANG has 0 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2026 FORD MUSTANG?
The 2026 FORD MUSTANG does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2026 FORD MUSTANG?
There are no component-specific complaint patterns on file for the 2026 FORD MUSTANG.
How many crash reports does the 2026 FORD MUSTANG have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2026 FORD MUSTANG in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2026 FORD MUSTANG have?
There are no fire reports for the 2026 FORD MUSTANG in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2026 FORD MUSTANG?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2026 FORD MUSTANG.
How many injuries are reported for the 2026 FORD MUSTANG?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2026 FORD MUSTANG.
Should I buy a 2026 FORD MUSTANG?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2026 FORD MUSTANG is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 0 complaints, 1 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What should I know before buying a 2026 FORD MUSTANG?
Ensure your 2026 Ford Mustang is inspected and repaired according to the recall notice to prevent potential engine stalling. The 2026 FORD MUSTANG has 0 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2026 FORD MUSTANG?
The 2026 FORD MUSTANG receives a reliability score of 92/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 0 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Defect.
What are the known issues with the 2026 FORD MUSTANG?
Known issues with the 2026 FORD MUSTANG include: Engine Defect. These are based on patterns found across 0 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Is my 2026 Ford Mustang included in the recall?
Yes, if your vehicle is a 2026 Mustang, it is included in the recall.
What should I do if my vehicle is recalled?
Contact Ford to schedule an inspection and repair at the nearest dealership.
How often should I check for recalls on my vehicle?
Regularly check for recalls by visiting the manufacturer's website or contacting customer service.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Ensure your 2026 Ford Mustang is inspected and repaired according to the recall notice to prevent potential engine stalling.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2026 Ford Mustang
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2026 Ford Mustang. The data includes 0 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16