A steady Check Engine Light came on after starting the car; brought it to Ford Dealer of Montebello and they stated coolant leak and got into one of the cylinders that caused misfires.
2021 Ford Mustang
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2021 Ford Mustang do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 81.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Mustang years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20 reports with mileage · 35 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
9 reportsVehicle stalled while pulling into traffic from apartment driveway.
While driving my 10R80 automatic transmission shifted into neutral even though the shifter was positioned in drive. I was unable to accelerate and was forced to pull over on the side of the road to prevent an accident from occurring. I placed the shifter into park and turned the car off. I then started the vehicle back up and be…
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While driving my 10R80 automatic transmission shifted into neutral even though the shifter was positioned in drive. I was unable to accelerate and was forced to pull over on the side of the road to prevent an accident from occurring. I placed the shifter into park and turned the car off. I then started the vehicle back up and began driving. The transmission continuously shifted rough while driving my destination.
Vehicle has serious transmission problem, jerking on upshifting, downshifting, banging when changing gears - any speed, skipping gears, slipping while shifting, making grinding sounds, whining sounds when shifting gears, clunking sounds while shifting from park to drive, reverse, neutral. Vehicle have no power, hardly moves.
At idle the engine idles roughly and rotates randomly at speeds from 300 to 900 RPM. When starting from a stop such as a traffic light or when pulling onto a roadway hesitation is often noted and on several occasions this has resulted in near accidents as the vehicle won't proceed as required to move through an intersection.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang GT500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering as the instrument cluster went blank and the charging system error warning message was illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "B…
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The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang GT500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering as the instrument cluster went blank and the charging system error warning message was illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Battery Save Mode, Pull Over, and Turn Car Off and On" message was illuminated. The contact had pulled over to turn off the vehicle and was able to restart. The failure reoccurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the failures could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and that the suspension error warning message was illuminated. The contact then stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the launch control feature was inadvertently activated, causing the contact to lose control of the steering wheel, the vehicle to make a 360-degree turn in the middle of the intersection, and the contact to crash onto the sidewalk. The contact had to receive medical attention and sustained a broken wrist and torn ligament. The vehicle was towed to Sunrise Ford(16005 Valley Blvd, Fontana, CA 92335); however, the mechanic advised for body repairs to be done first, and the vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where the tires, rims, and spoiler were replaced. The vehicle was then towed back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the alternator and catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred, and after the vehicle was towed back to the dealer, the failures could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
1st dealer visit: at low speeds car acted like it was in neutral and then surged when trying to accelerate. Dealer said they corrected the issue. they did not. 2nd dealer visit: car was still doing the same as number 1. While on the highway with cruise control set at 75 mph, I lost power and smoke started billowing from under …
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1st dealer visit: at low speeds car acted like it was in neutral and then surged when trying to accelerate. Dealer said they corrected the issue. they did not. 2nd dealer visit: car was still doing the same as number 1. While on the highway with cruise control set at 75 mph, I lost power and smoke started billowing from under the car. transmission was shifting erratically, went into limp mode and i made it off the highway to call a tow truck. Dealer said they repaired the issue. 3rd dealer visit: car is still doing the same as number 1. now the car is also very jerky in 3, 5, 8 gears. I almost ran into my own car while parking due to the random lunging. It hesitates and stumbles in most gears and I have no confidence when pulling out onto a street or trying to pass on the highway. It shifts extremely hard from 4th to 5th gear; feels like I ran over something or got rear ended. The dealer wants to repeat the same repair they tried in visit #2, new valve body. -Transmission failed. dealership says valve body but the new one is broken also. waiting on the 3rd one for this car. Possibly available for inspection; it is at dealership. -Random lurching at low speeds and power loss on the highway are my safety concerns. -Dealer found the issue and attempted repair. -Manufacturer, police or insurance have not inspected. I have a ticket open with Ford currently. -Warning lamps? not on the 1st visit. yes, when I lost power on the highway but the light came on well after the issue was apparent with smoke behind me. 3rd visit, no warning lamps.
After slight acceleration and then light braking vehicle wants to lunge forward and is a outright safety hazard in 3 separate incidents it almost caused an accident and one was a pedestrian, fors is well aware of this vehicles incidents and well documented by text from dealer acknowledging such incidents
Vehicle bucks at low speed after putting in drive and when driving during downshift, on 4 occasions I almost hit my wife's vehicle during low speed bucking with the trans
Official recalls
625V689000 · Electrical System:body Control Module/bcm
Oct 10, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Mustang vehicles repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V727. The brake fluid level sensor may not activate the visual warning indicator when the brake fluid is low. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Without a low brake fluid warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, reducing braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C55. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 17, 2025.
25V455000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Jul 7, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
25V442000 · Back Over Prevention:software
Jun 27, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
23V727000 · Electrical System:body Control Module/bcm
Oct 27, 2023
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Mustang vehicles. The brake fluid level sensor may not activate the visual warning indicator when the brake fluid is low. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Without a low brake fluid warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, reducing braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C35.
22V083000 · Air Bags:knee Bolster
Feb 16, 2022
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Mustang vehicles. An insufficient weld on the front passenger knee air bag may result in an improper air bag deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger knee air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 8, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S07.
21V980000 · Air Bags:side/window:curtain
Dec 16, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mustang vehicles. The side curtain air bag inflators may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in improper air bag inflation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 226, "Ejection Mitigation," and 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on February 3, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C37.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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