2011 Ford Mustang Reliability
The 2011 Ford Mustang has 466 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and air bags. Compared with nearby Mustang model years (2009–2013), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Mustang's typical year, while the 2009 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
466
NHTSA owner complaints
5
Recall campaigns
20
Complaints citing a crash
1
Complaints citing a fire
2011 Ford Mustang complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 model year, filed between 2010 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 200 | 43% |
| Air bags | 125 | 27% |
| Engine | 48 | 10% |
| Speed control / throttle | 39 | 8% |
| Steering | 25 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 24 | 5% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 23 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 15 | 3% |
2011 Ford Mustang recalls
5 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2011 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15V319000 | May 28, 2015 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2014 Mustang vehicles manufactured April 6, 2004, to June 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 GT vehicles manufactured February 20, 2004, to September 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a…NHTSA park-it advisory: do not drive until repaired. |
| 16V384000 | May 31, 2016 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang…NHTSA park-it advisory: do not drive until repaired. |
| 19V001000 | Jan 7, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern…NHTSA park-it advisory: do not drive until repaired. |
| 21V081000 | Feb 16, 2021 | Air bags — frontal | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or… |
| 21E013000 | Feb 16, 2021 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014… |
How the 2011 compares with nearby Mustang years
Verdicts compare these Mustang model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 181 | 6 | Air bags | Better year |
| 2010 | 261 | 6 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2011 (this page) | 466 | 5 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2012 | 470 | 7 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2013 | 271 | 6 | Air bags | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2011 Ford Mustang
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Throttle and speed control: check for surging, hesitation or a reduced-power warning, and test cruise control.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 5 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2011 Ford Mustang can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2011 Ford Mustang reliability FAQ
Is the 2011 Ford Mustang reliable?
The 2011 Ford Mustang has 466 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and air bags. Compared with nearby Mustang model years (2009–2013), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Mustang's typical year, while the 2009 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2011 Ford Mustang problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Ford Mustang are powertrain / transmission (200), air bags (125), engine (48), speed control / throttle (39). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2011 Ford Mustang have recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2011 Ford Mustang, including 15V319000 (air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module) and 16V384000 (air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2011 Ford Mustang compare with the 2010 and 2012 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2010 has 261 complaints and 6 recalls (solid); the 2012 has 470 complaints and 7 recalls (avoid). The 2011 has 466 complaints and 5 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2011 Ford Mustang?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Ford Mustang research
Other Ford Mustang model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2011 Mustang, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.