Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 38% | — |
| 2025 | 4 | 21% | 14,000 miles |
| 2024 | 10 | 12% | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 13% | — |
| 2022 | 6 | 12% | — |
| 2021 | 10 | 18% | 1,000 miles |
| 2020 | 27 | 23% | 67,000 miles |
| 2019 | 62 | 41% | 66,000 miles |
| 2018 | 65 | 33% | 20,000 miles |
| 2017 | 34 | 13% | 31,000 miles |
| 2016 | 82 | 22% | 44,000 miles |
| 2015 | 51 | 12% | 24,000 miles |
| 2014 | 19 | 5% | 10,000 miles |
| 2013 | 23 | 8% | 52,000 miles |
| 2012 | 33 | 7% | 30,000 miles |
| 2011 | 55 | 12% | 56,000 miles |
| 2010 | 12 | 5% | 64,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 2% | 37,000 miles |
| 2008 | 8 | 2% | 68,000 miles |
| 2007 | 20 | 3% | 72,000 miles |
| 2006 | 37 | 6% | 56,000 miles |
| 2005 | 54 | 6% | 55,000 miles |
| 2004 | 13 | 10% | 47,000 miles |
| 2003 | 64 | 28% | 5,000 miles |
| 2002 | 47 | 28% | 65,000 miles |
| 2001 | 43 | 17% | 64,000 miles |
| 2000 | 66 | 17% | 91,000 miles |
| 1999 | 57 | 22% | 65,000 miles |
| 1998 | 89 | 30% | 90,000 miles |
| 1997 | 60 | 29% | 92,000 miles |
| 1996 | 110 | 38% | 85,000 miles |
| 1995 | 347 | 56% | 76,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Recalls on 2024 Ford Mustangs: On 09/22/2026, at approximately 11:34AM, my Ford Mustang suffered a catastrophic malfunction. When I was braking on the offramp, the brakes did not engage and remained firm and unresponsive. The car immediately accelerated, despite my efforts on the brakes accompanied by the use of the emergency brake. The car continued to accelerate as I was trying to brake, navigating the terrain off the ramp on onto a grassy area. I maneuvered the car between two trees, trying in vain to use the brakes. The Mustang continued accelerating across 25a, until it hit a car on my passenger side, which spun me around- NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ! The car ended up going backwards hitting an i-beam that was supporting the street sign, bending it significantly. …
Description On your vehicles engine, one or more of the clips that retain the engines pistons to their connecting rods may be mis-installed or missing. Safety Risk A mis-installed clip may result in an audible knocking noise that increases over time. Progression of this issue can lead to piston failure and engine damage, resulting in a loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Parts are available to repair your vehicle. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to inspect your vehicles engine for evidence of mis-installedmissing clips. If found, the engine long block assembly will be replaced free of charge. Recall service not available right now. We have a remedy but parts are not available right now. We will inform you when the service is available. Or, you can contact your dealer.
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V122000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to complete the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle stalled, jerked forward, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The force of the jerk propelled the contact onto the steering wheel. The vehicle was restarted, and the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle required several attempts to start on some occasions. A dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the recall remedy was unavailable. …
While driving my 2025 Ford Mustang GT at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly lost power. The vehicle was unable to maintain normal power while I was traveling in active highway traffic. This created a serious safety risk because surrounding vehicles were traveling at highway speeds, and the sudden loss of propulsion could have resulted in a rear-end collision or other crash while I attempted to safely get the vehicle out of traffic. I subsequently learned that my vehicle is included in Ford Safety Recall 26C40 / NHTSA Recall 26V547. The recall information states that an engine wiring harness ground may break under normal vehicle use and that this condition may result in a loss of motive power and other electrical functions. The recall states that loss of motive power while driving can increase the risk of a crash. …
Std Cruise Control failure. Yes, available for inspection, test drive and failure analysis. Upon turning CC (Cruise control) on the Green Icon appears (should be Ghost Icon) AND is set at the speed limit. If below the speed limit NO speed up to "SET" speed occurs. Instead if you speed up, manually, to "SET" speed you can't go past the "SET" speed. Pressing on the accelerator has a power loss and flat lining. Speed does not increase until you go to heavy open throttle then it "TAKES OFF". Impossible to drive in Cruise control mode. Problem was presented to Gaudin Ford Dealership >>> Twice. Once on December 17th, 2024 and again on March 4th, 2025 Gaudio Ford States " NPF - No problem found normal operation at this time". Also, "unable to duplicate concern no DTC were present no tabs or scams for this concern rise with shop foremen all systems are working with spec at this time". …
I own a 2024 Ford Mustang (VIN above) subject to safety recall 26V547 / Ford 26C40 for engine wiring-harness ground eyelets that can fracture and cause loss of motive power. As of Oct 10, 2026, Ford's VIN lookup still shows the recall incomplete with no remedy or parts available and no dealer able to schedule the repair. Ford anticipates parts around Dec 21, 2026, while NHTSA's filing points to remedy owner letters around March 2027 - months after the Aug 25, 2026 campaign. I attempted to open a Ford Customer Relationship Center case via Ford's online chat on Oct 9 (evening) and again Oct 10, 2026 at 9:21 AM ET; both times only an AI assistant responded, live agents were unavailable, and no case number was issued. …
While driving approximately 45 mph and entering a highway, my 2022 Ford Mustang GT California Special suddenly lost power and shut off completely. The engine stalled without warning, creating a dangerous situation with surrounding traffic. I had to coast the vehicle and restart it. This vehicle has an open safety recall (NHTSA Recall Number 25V455 / Ford Recall 25S75) related to a low-pressure fuel pump failure that can cause engine stalling while driving. The recall has been open for several months, and there is currently no available remedy or repair from the manufacturer. The incident I experienced matches the recall description exactly. Despite the known safety risk, the manufacturer has not provided a fix, leaving the vehicle unsafe to operate. I am concerned for my safety and the safety of others due to the risk of repeated engine stalling at highway speeds.
Vehicle Purchased June 2023 at 1100 miles noticed a loud ticking noise , brought to dealer. Had to do repairs at top part of engine for timing chain guides not lubed correctly. brought back 1000 miles after due to a ticking noise ( ford says typewriter tick normal after oil change ) Vehicle has 2,477 miles on it with a very loud ticking noise and ford says no fix " NORMAL " been to two dealers and changed oil 3 times and each time gets louder. For a 50k plus vehicle this is unacceptable
Related recalls (6)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
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.
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
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.
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10.
Engine
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.
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles manufactured February 24, 2015, to August 30, 2016. A hose may separate from the engine oil cooler tube assembly causing an oil leak.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil cooler tube assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 23, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Show 1 more recall
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
Vehicle description: taurus/sable vehicles equipped with 3.0l and 3.8l engines and mustang vehicles with 3.8l and 5.0l engines. It is possible for the engine cooling fan bearing to seize.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine cooling fan assembly and install a circuit breaker. If the cooling fan is inoperative, the fan and motor assembly will be replaced. Owner notification began December 28, 2001.
NHTSA investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Mustang years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (347), 1996 (110), 1998 (89), 2016 (82) and 2000 (66) model years. Engine complaints make up 56% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Ford Mustang engine problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 26V-548 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Aug 25, 2026); 26V-205 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Mar 31, 2026); 26V-122 (gas recirculation valve (egr valve), Mar 3, 2026). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Mustang engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (379 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (165).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.