2020 Ford Mustang
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 4 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 18 |
| 1985 | 16 |
| 1986 | 30 |
| 1987 | 38 |
| 1988 | 108 |
| 1989 | 109 |
| 1990 | 85 |
| 1991 | 77 |
| 1992 | 69 |
| 1993 | 101 |
| 1994 | 356 |
| 1995 | 602 |
| 1996 | 246 |
| 1997 | 176 |
| 1998 | 236 |
| 1999 | 213 |
| 2000 | 311 |
| 2001 | 173 |
| 2002 | 118 |
| 2003 | 143 |
| 2004 | 116 |
| 2005 | 705 |
| 2006 | 422 |
| 2007 | 615 |
| 2008 | 347 |
| 2009 | 181 |
| 2010 | 260 |
| 2011 | 466 |
| 2012 | 469 |
| 2013 | 271 |
| 2014 | 356 |
| 2015 | 434 |
| 2016 | 367 |
| 2017 | 260 |
| 2018 | 184 |
| 2019 | 141 |
| 2020 | 113 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 70 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
20% of complaints: electrical system — 23 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
I drove my car for 22 miles, parked, and after less than one hour we heard a loud noise from the house and upon checking, we noticed the car was on fire. The fire and smoke was coming from underneath the hood (left side).
NHTSA ODI report, 20240101
19% of complaints: engine — 22 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
A 2020 Ford Mustang eco boost premium 2.3L L4 DOHC 16 valve 6-speed manual with push button start convertible top burst into flames on [XXX] at about [XXX].
NHTSA ODI report, 20240819
19% of complaints: power train — 21 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY13% of complaints: service brakes — 15 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES. THE CARE SPEND UP WITH THE TIRES SPINNING AND JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A TREE. WHEN .
NHTSA ODI report, 20210212
ON 8/29/2020 A FORD AGENCY LOCATED IN MIAMI, FL SOLD ME MY 2020 FORD MUSTANG VEHICLE WITH A FACTORY DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THEY DID NOT MAKE THE PARTICIPATION IN TIME TO CORRECT THE MECHANICAL DEFECT OF MY VEHICLE ACCORDING TO TO NHTSA.
NHTSA ODI report, 20201216
7% of complaints: air bags — 8 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles. The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S21.
Campaign 20V263000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped a forward-looking camera.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will perform the Lane Departure Warning System camera alignment procedure, free of charge. This recall began June 17, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 20V306000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The brake pedal bracket may fracture during sudden stopping.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal bracket assembly, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S52.
Campaign 20V573000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021.
Campaign 20V575000 — check if this car was fixed
Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions.
Remedy: Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 15, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S37.
Campaign 22V382000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 23V727000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
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.
Campaign 25V442000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years.
Campaign 25V695000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2020 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (23 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (22 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (21 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 20V263000 (electrical system, power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V306000 (electrical system, forward collision avoidance) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V573000 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V575000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V382000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V727000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V442000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V695000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2020 Ford Mustang reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 Ford Mustang is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford Mustang?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Mustang have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.