2017 Ford Mustang
The 2017 Ford Mustang is sold in the U.S. as a gas coupe with 14 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Mustang, is EPA-rated at 24 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 268 complaints, most often about the back over prevention. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mustang | Gas | RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Mustang | Gas | RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Mustang Performance Package | Gas | RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Mustang Convertible | Gas | RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Mustang Convertible | Gas | RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Mustang Performance Package | Gas | RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Mustang | Gas | RWD | 3.7L 6-cyl | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Mustang | Gas | RWD | 3.7L 6-cyl | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Mustang | Gas | RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 15 | 25 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Mustang | Gas | RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Mustang Convertible | Gas | RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Mustang Convertible | Gas | RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 14 | 23 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Mustang Performance Package | Gas | RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 14 | 23 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Shelby GT350 Mustang | Gas | RWD | 5.2L 8-cyl | 14 | 21 | 16 | $5,150 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 37573, 37574, 37581, 37575, 37584, 37582, 37576, 37577, 37578, 37580.
Emissions & certification
Source: EPA emission certificates| Configuration | Smog rating | Emission standard | Where it can be sold new | SmartWay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mustang, Mustang Convertible, Mustang Performance Package | 6–7 / 10 | Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 / LEV-III ULEV70 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
| Mustang, Mustang Convertible, Mustang Performance Package | 6 / 10 | LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
| Shelby GT350 Mustang | 6 / 10 | Federal Tier 3 Transitional Bin 110 / LEV-II ULEV | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Gas-guzzler tax applies to Shelby GT350 Mustang — a federal excise the manufacturer pays and prices in.
The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.
Specifications filed with NHTSA
Source: NHTSA vPICDimensions Exterior
| Body style | Coupe |
| Doors | 2 |
| GVWR class | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
Engine Basics
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Displacement | 3.7 L |
| Engine configuration | V-Shaped |
Engine Output
| Horsepower | 300 hp |
Fuel Economy
| Fuel | Gasoline |
Seating
| Seat rows | 2 |
| Seating capacity | 4 seats |
Driver assistance
Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Backup camera, Electronic stability control
Optional: Adaptive cruise control, Blind-spot monitoring
Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: GT Convertible, GT Coupe, I4 Convertible, I4 Coupe). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.
Dimensions & weight
Source: Transport Canada| Length | 188.2–189.8 in |
| Width (body, without mirrors) | 75.6–76.0 in |
| Height | 54.3–54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.1 in |
| Track, front | 62.2–63.4 in |
| Track, rear | 63.8–65.0 in |
| Curb weight | 3,543–3,891 lb |
| Weight distribution, front/rear | 52/48 to 54/46 |
Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 5 configurations: GT 2-door Convertible RWD, GT 2-door Coupe RWD, GT350 2-door Coupe RWD, V6/Ecoboost 2-door Convertible RWD, V6/Ecoboost 2-door Coupe RWD. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.
Factory warranty running out?
The 2017 Ford Mustang is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.
What to check before you buy →Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.
Recalls (6)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseBack Over Prevention
25S89Back Over Prevention
22S06Air Bags
17S26Latches/Locks/Linkages
17C04Engine And Engine Cooling
16S40These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.
NHTSA defect investigations
Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf. Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a subst
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002 · the investigation’s page →
Whether any of this applies to one specific Mustang
A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2017 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Ford publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.
Hear about a recall before the letter does
The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2017 Ford Mustang, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.
Parts & accessories for the 2017 Ford Mustang
Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.
Find parts for this Mustang →Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint database14 involved a crash · 8 a fire · 11 injuries · 0 deaths reported
26 per 10,000 built · Ford reported 102,577 Mustang built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)
Filed per year: 2016: 4 · 2017: 8 · 2018: 16 · 2019: 13 · 2020: 28 · 2021: 35 · 2022: 43 · 2023: 42 · 2024: 25 · 2025: 30 · 2026: 24
Most-cited components
In owners' own words
Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.
Driving on a flat road then drive up a hill it takes longer to go into gear. Takes longer to shift. Loss of power
Sync 3, randomly my samsung galaxy s7 loses bluetooth connection, then re-connects a few seconds later. I notice it by the message that my phone has successfully connected appears on the top of the screen while driving. I AM not on the phone that much, but I have had the bluetooth connection fail while I was on the phone.
Car makes a clunck when shifting gears. So bad you can feel it though the seat. Looks like many other people are having similar issues. It does it sitting still and moving
The contact owned a 2017 Ford Mustang. While the contact's son was making a left turn, another vehicle crashed into the vehicle. All of the air bags deployed except for the driver's steering wheel air bag. The driver was injured and transported to the hospital by a friend for medical attention. A police report was filed.
I had gotten into my car to drive and had noticed my steering wheel came loose from its mounting point. I was able to wiggle the steering wheel back and fourth while stationary and parked, but was able to also do this while driving and while turning it was very loose as well. This happened suddenly as hours prior drove with no problem.
When pulling out of a parking lot the car accelerated to full throttle by itself. I put the brakes on as hard as I could. It had no affect on stopping the car or even slowing it down. The car went over the median and was heading eastbound in the westbound lanes of traffic.
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Reported by Ford itself: 21 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 3 killed, 23 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 20 per 100,000 built. Every Mustang model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.
When owners reported it
miles, typically
Half the 141 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 23,000 and 64,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.
Median mileage by component
| Component | Reports | Median miles | Vs same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back Over Prevention | 33 | 46,000 | 0.77× |
| Engine | 23 | 31,000 | 0.53× |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 21 | 60,000 | 1.12× |
| Electrical System | 20 | 36,000 | 1.03× |
| Structure | 16 | 48,100 | 1.27× |
| Unspecified | 14 | 32,000 | — |
| Power Train | 12 | 38,000 | 0.95× |
Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2017-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported earlier than same-age vehicles: engine (0.53×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.
Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.
Crash ratings
Source: NHTSA NCAP| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 8% |
| C RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | 8% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Service bulletins & campaigns
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communicationsMost often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Engine, Power Train, Structure.
- 25N15 S1 Other2026-04-20 · Unknown Or Other
- Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
- SSM 54601 Service bulletin2026-02-24 · Electrical System
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). Th
- 25N15 Other2026-01-05 · Visibility/Wiper
- Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacemen
- 25N15 Other2025-12-22 · Visibility/Wiper
- Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
- TSB 25-2570 Service bulletin2025-11-26 · Electrical System
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns Phone connection issues Dropped phone connections Applink related performance Travel Link not present
- SSM 54366 Service bulletin2025-11-12 · Power Train
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
- 24H02 Other2025-06-09 · Seat Belts
- Ford Motor Company is voluntarily conducting a study on some customer-owned vehicles to proactively replace the front seat belt retractors and return them to Ford for further analysis. Inspecting your vehicle will help Ford carry out this research.
- 24H02 Service bulletin2024-10-24 · Seat Belts
- This is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to obtain field parts for evaluation. Ford is voluntarily conducting this program to evaluate the field performance and functionality of the obtained front seat belt retractor assemblies. Parts obtained from the program must be returned to Ford for evaluation.
A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.
Diagnostic trouble codes on file
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaintsCodes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.
| Code | What it means | Most often filed under | Where it appears |
|---|---|---|---|
| P0011 P0011 on Ford → | Camshaft timing on bank 1 is more advanced than commanded. | Power Train | 6 bulletins |
| P0012 P0012 on Ford → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Power Train | 6 bulletins |
| P0014 P0014 on Ford → | The second camshaft on bank 1 is timed further advanced than commanded. | Power Train | 6 bulletins |
| P0015 P0015 on Ford → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Power Train | 6 bulletins |
| P0016 P0016 on Ford → | The crankshaft and camshaft are not where they should be relative to each other — timing, chain or phaser. | Power Train | 6 bulletins |
| P0017 P0017 on Ford → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Power Train | 6 bulletins |
| P0018 P0018 on Ford → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Power Train | 6 bulletins |
| P0019 P0019 on Ford → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Power Train | 6 bulletins |
| P0021 P0021 on Ford → | Camshaft timing on bank 2 is more advanced than commanded. | Power Train | 6 bulletins |
| P0022 P0022 on Ford → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Power Train | 6 bulletins |
| P0024 P0024 on Ford → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Power Train | 6 bulletins |
| P0025 P0025 on Ford → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Power Train | 6 bulletins |
Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.
At the New York inspection station
Source: New York State DMVIn New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2017 Ford Mustang failed the emissions check on 3.6% of first inspections — close to the 3.7% for every 2017 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.5% (every 2017 vehicle: 2.1%).
failed emissions
1,451 initial inspections of 1,423 vehicles.
| Measure | The 2017 Mustang | Every 2017 vehicle | Behind it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failed the emissions check | 3.6% | 3.7% | 1,447 |
| Failed the safety inspection | 1.5% | 2.1% | 1,451 |
| Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit | 0.48% | 0.25% | 1,451 |
| Miles driven a year | 5,553 | 10,048 | odometer at inspection |
| Average odometer | 51,787 | 93,238 | odometer at inspection |
New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2017 vehicle” is every 2017 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).
Mustang by model year
all years, side by side →Common questions about the 2017 Mustang
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsDoes the 2017 Ford Mustang have any recalls?
NHTSA has posted 6 recall campaigns for the 2017 Ford Mustang, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 17V529000, covering Air Bags. 1 of them was filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. The manufacturer's own estimate for when a fix would be ready: December 2026. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.
How safe is the 2017 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA gave the 2017 Ford Mustang 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 5-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it D (61/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Ford Mustang?
Across the 14 EPA-rated configurations of the 2017 Ford Mustang, the best EPA combined figure is 24 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.
What are the dimensions of the 2017 Ford Mustang?
Transport Canada measured it at 188.2–189.8 in long, 75.6–76.0 in wide (body, without mirrors), 54.3–54.7 in tall, on a 107.1 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,543–3,891 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.
What do owners complain about on the 2017 Ford Mustang?
Owners have filed 268 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Mustang, most often about back over prevention, structure, unspecified. Of those, 14 involved a crash, 8 a fire, 11 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.
How clean is the 2017 Ford Mustang?
The EPA smog rating for the 2017 Ford Mustang runs 6 to 7 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, Federal Tier 3 Transitional Bin 110, LEV-II ULEV, LEV-III ULEV125, LEV-III ULEV70 — which the table above lists per configuration.
Are there service bulletins for the 2017 Ford Mustang?
The manufacturer has filed 155 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2017 Ford Mustang, most often covering equipment, electrical system, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-04-20. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.
How does the 2017 Ford Mustang do at state inspection?
In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2017 Ford Mustang failed the emissions check on 3.6% of first inspections — close to the 3.7% for every 2017 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.5% (every 2017 vehicle: 2.1%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.
What we hold, and what an empty row means
Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.
| Data | Held | Source | What it covers — or what empty means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy & configurations | 14 configurations | EPA certification records | Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures. |
| Emission certificates | 14 configurations | EPA emission certificates | Smog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new. |
| Recalls | 6 | NHTSA recall campaigns | A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags. |
| Owner complaints | 268 | NHTSA complaint database | Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold. |
| Crash ratings | 2 tested | NHTSA NCAP | Only the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them. |
| Service bulletins | 155 | NHTSA manufacturer communications | Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall. |
| Investigations | 1 | NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation | Open and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative. |
| Driver-assist crash reports | none | NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01 | No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like. |
| Specifications filed with NHTSA | 10 fields | NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns | What the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder. |
| Measured dimensions | 7 fields | Transport Canada, Canadian Vehicle Specifications | Length, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions. |
| Trims, pricing & equipment | none | Manufacturer press kit | We have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind. |
Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.