2021 Ford Mustang: Problems & Reliability
NOT FLAGGED2021 Ford Mustang: NOT FLAGGED — 0 owner complaints.
The Ford Mustang isn't scored by the verdict engine yet, so the 2021 is ranked on volume — owner complaints plus a quarter weight for service bulletins. It ranks 9th of 12 model years from 2015 to 2026.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2015–2026 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
0
NHTSA complaints
12
Model years compared
147
Service bulletins
6
Recall campaigns
2021 Ford Mustang recalls
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2021, reported between Dec 16, 2021 and Oct 10, 2025.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 25V689000 | Oct 10, 2025 | Electrical system › Body control module/bcm |
| 25V455000 | Jul 7, 2025 | Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump |
| 25V442000 | Jun 27, 2025 | Backup camera / back-over prevention › Software |
| 23V727000 | Oct 27, 2023 | Electrical system › Body control module/bcm |
| 22V083000 | Feb 16, 2022 | Air bags › Knee bolster |
| 21V980000 | Dec 16, 2021 | Air bags › Side/window › Curtain |
2021 Ford Mustang service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 147 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2021 — close to the 146 of the median Mustang year from 2015 to 2026. Coded bulletins most often cover powertrain / transmission (53), electrical system (37), engine & cooling (13). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2021 vs. the year before and after
From the 2020 to the 2021, owner complaints stayed at zero. The 2022 that followed went from none to 51, so the 2021 is the cleaner of the two by count.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Mustang | — | 0 | 184 | 8 | — |
| 2021 (this page) | — | 0 | 147 | 6 | — |
| 2022 Mustang | — | 51 | 113 | 0 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Ford Mustang years to avoid.
Nearby Mustang years with a better rating: 2023.
Know what to pay for the right 2021 Ford Mustang — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2021 Ford Mustang reliable?
2021 Ford Mustang: NOT FLAGGED — 0 owner complaints. The Ford Mustang isn't scored by the verdict engine yet, so the 2021 is ranked on volume — owner complaints plus a quarter weight for service bulletins. It ranks 9th of 12 model years from 2015 to 2026.
What are the most common 2021 Ford Mustang problems?
Owner complaints for the 2021 Ford Mustang aren't concentrated in one component; 147 manufacturer service bulletins are on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Mustang have?
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2021 Ford Mustang, most recently 25V689000 (Oct 10, 2025, electrical system); 25V455000 (Jul 7, 2025, fuel system, gasoline); 25V442000 (Jun 27, 2025, backup camera / back-over prevention). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2021 Ford Mustang before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2021 Ford Mustang come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the model is ranked on complaint and bulletin volume until the verdict engine scores it. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.