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Your vehicleHome›Ford›Mustang› 2021
Ford · Coupe

2021 Ford Mustang

Gas
Subcompact Cars
16 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
C
Safety Signal
70 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 6
Complaints4 crash · 2 injured reported 55
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 25 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Ford Mustang is sold in the U.S. as a gas coupe with 16 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Mustang, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 55 complaints, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

2021 Ford Mustang

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
MustangGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo213225$2,700
MustangGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo213225$2,700
MustangGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo212924$2,800
Mustang ConvertibleGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo202723$2,900
Mustang ConvertibleGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo202823$2,900
Mustang ConvertibleGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo202823$2,900
Mustang HO CoupeGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo202723$2,900
Mustang HO ConvertibleGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo192622$3,050
Mustang HO CoupeGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo202722$3,050
Mustang HO ConvertibleGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo192521$3,200
MustangGasRWD5.0L 8-cyl152419$3,550
MustangGasRWD5.0L 8-cyl152418$3,700
Mustang ConvertibleGasRWD5.0L 8-cyl152318$3,700
Mustang Mach 1GasRWD5.0L 8-cyl152318$3,700
Mustang Mach 1GasRWD5.0L 8-cyl142217$3,950
Shelby GT500 MustangGasRWD5.2L 8-cyl121814$5,850

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43669, 43680, 43667, 43672, 43673, 43681, 43670, 43674, 43668, 43671.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Mustang, Mustang Convertible, Mustang HO Convertible, Mustang HO Coupe5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Mustang, Mustang Convertible, Mustang Mach 1, Shelby GT500 Mustang3 / 10California LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 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 Mustang Mach 1, Shelby GT500 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 vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleCoupe
Doors2
GVWR classClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Basics

Cylinders8
Displacement5 L
Engine configurationV-Shaped

Engine Output

Horsepower435 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity4 seats

Transmission

DrivetrainRWD/Rear-Wheel Drive
Transmission speeds6

Driver assistance

Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking

Optional: Adaptive cruise control

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
Length188.2–190.2 in
Width (body, without mirrors)75.6–76.8 in
Height54.3–54.7 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Track, front62.2–63.4 in
Track, rear63.8–65.0 in
Curb weight3,543–4,182 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear52/48 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: Ecoboost 2-door Convertible, Ecoboost 2-door Coupe, GT 2-door Convertible, GT 2-door Coupe, Shelby GT500 2-door Coupe. 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.

Also on file Beside the 2021 Mustang
Other years The 2019 Mustang Recalls Ford recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 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 database
●moderate

Electrical System

25C55
2,101 vehicles 43% reported repaired
Problem 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." Risk 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V689000 reported Oct 10, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

25S75
850,318 vehicles 19% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V455000 reported Jul 7, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Back Over Prevention

25S72
200,237 vehicles 59% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V442000 reported Jun 27, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Electrical System

23C35
187,922 vehicles 73% reported repaired
Problem 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." Risk 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V727000 reported Oct 27, 2023 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

22S07
327 vehicles 74% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V083000 reported Feb 16, 2022 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

21C37
93 vehicles 76% reported repaired
Problem 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." Risk An air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V980000 reported Dec 16, 2021 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These 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.

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 2021 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.

NHTSA VIN check →Ford’s own VIN lookup →

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 2021 Ford Mustang, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2021 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 database
55complaints filed

4 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 2 injuries · 0 deaths reported

11 per 10,000 built · Ford reported 49,690 Mustang built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2021: 1 · 2022: 9 · 2023: 10 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 19 · 2026: 10

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 15
Engine 10
Power Train 9
Electrical System 6
Unspecified 5
Service Brakes 5

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.

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
Power Train Oct 19, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11620825
I had to put 3 sets of tires on my car by 50,000 miles. The Ford company told me to go to an alignment specialist because without putting some sort of aftermarket part on my car they can't properly align it and they are tired of fooling with it.
Suspension Sep 26, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11616555
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked while closing the convertible top, the driver’s side rear window failed to close. No warning light was illuminated.
Visibility/Wiper at 36,800 miles May 2, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11586633
Check engine light keeps coming on even after dealer says it is fixed. Keeps throwing codes evaporative emission system problem
Electrical System Dec 21, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11561274
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact received a notification through a ride sharing app that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: Awaiting# (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.
Service Brakes Nov 1, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11553004
Catastrophic engine failure while driving at highway speeds in dense traffic led to seized engine and highly dangerous situation. Root cause wasn't determined due to volume of damage. Three pistons, rods, and crankshaft where shattered beyond recognition along with a cracked block.
Engine Oct 2, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11547876

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: 8 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 10 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 16 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

Reported at 6k

miles, typically

Half the 18 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 5,000 and 44,000 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.

Too few readings for a curve — the 18 on file: 11 under 10k, 1 10k–20k, 1 30k–40k, 3 40k–50k, 1 50k–60k, 1 70k–80k.

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
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9%
2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9%
C RWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★8%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 148
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-07-09
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 142 service bulletins, 5 others, 1 emissions

Most often about: Power Train, Electrical System, Equipment, Unknown Or Other, Engine.

  • 26E04 Emissions
    2026-07-09 · Unknown Or Other
  • NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and Aviator Vehicles Powertrain Control Module Software Update
  • TSB 26-2226 Service bulletin
    2026-05-08 · Power Train
  • This bulletin supersedes 26-2046. Reason For Update: update the parts list to change the claim quantity of the C clutch friction plates (HL3Z-7B164-A), C clutch steel plates (HL3Z-7B442-F), D clutch steel plates (HL3Z-7B442-D), add the rear driveshaft flange CV joint-to-pinion flange cup bolts and retaining straps (LK4Z-4B496-B) for Transit, and update the parts description for the transfer case f
  • SSM 54720 Service bulletin
    2026-04-02 · Lane Departure — Blind Spot Detection
  • Various 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC). This may also be accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B118C:11 and/or B118C:15 stored in the driver door module (DDM), and/or B118D:11 and/or B118D:15 st
  • SSM 54719 Service bulletin
    2026-04-02 · Power Train
  • For 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum transducer (PVT) when available. When referred to a specific clutch (A-F) test by a pinpoint test in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing, the Clutch Assembl
  • 25N17 Other
    2026-03-25 · Back Over Prevention — Rearview System Braking
  • Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
  • SSM 54674 Service bulletin
    2026-03-19 · Power Train
  • For 2021-2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum transducer (PVT) when available. The Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated under Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing to include this procedure. The new test improves the accurac
  • SSM 54601 Service bulletin
    2026-02-24 · 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
  • SSM 54589 Other
    2026-02-17 · Electrical System
  • Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various connectivity concerns with The Ford App Lincoln App including but not limited to: missing activation prompt pop-upon the vehicle's center display screen when attempting to activate vehicle through The Ford App Lincoln App, incorrect location global positioning system GPS reported through The Ford App Lincoln App,

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 complaints

Codes 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.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0729
P0729 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train16 bulletins
P0731
P0731 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train16 bulletins
P0732
P0732 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train16 bulletins
P0733
P0733 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train16 bulletins
P0734
P0734 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train16 bulletins
P0735
P0735 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train16 bulletins
P0736
P0736 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train16 bulletins
P0751
P0751 on Ford →		Shift solenoid A is not responding — stuck off.Power Train16 bulletins
P0752
P0752 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train16 bulletins
P0756
P0756 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train16 bulletins
P0757
P0757 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train16 bulletins
P0761
P0761 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train16 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 DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Ford Mustang failed the emissions check on 2.4% of first inspections — close to the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.2% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%).

New York inspections 2.4%

failed emissions

899 initial inspections of 883 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2021 MustangEvery 2021 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check2.4%1.9%891
Failed the safety inspection1.2%1.5%899
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.22%0.19%899
Miles driven a year5,64410,343odometer at inspection
Average odometer30,20954,681odometer 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 2021 vehicle” is every 2021 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 →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2026 C 5 8 26 mpg2025 D 6 19 26 mpg2024 F 12 84 Do not drive2023 F 6 15 25 mpg2022 F 9 50 25 mpg2021 this page C 6 55 25 mpg2020 D 8 120 25 mpg2019 C 6 151 25 mpg2018 C 3 196 25 mpg2017 D 6 268 24 mpg2016 C 5 380 25 mpg

Common questions about the 2021 Mustang

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2021 Ford Mustang have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 6 recall campaigns for the 2021 Ford Mustang. The most serious on file is 25V455000, covering Fuel System, Gasoline. 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. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2021 Ford Mustang?

NHTSA gave the 2021 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 C (70/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Ford Mustang?

Across the 16 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 Ford Mustang, the best EPA combined figure is 25 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2021 Ford Mustang?

Transport Canada measured it at 188.2–190.2 in long, 75.6–76.8 in wide (body, without mirrors), 54.3–54.7 in tall, on a 107.1 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,543–4,182 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 2021 Ford Mustang?

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Mustang, most often about fuel/propulsion system, engine, power train. Of those, 4 involved a crash, 2 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 2021 Ford Mustang?

The EPA smog rating for the 2021 Ford Mustang runs 3 to 5 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 — California LEV-III ULEV125, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 Ford Mustang?

The manufacturer has filed 148 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Mustang, most often covering power train, electrical system, equipment. The most recent is dated 2026-07-09. 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 2021 Ford Mustang do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Ford Mustang failed the emissions check on 2.4% of first inspections — close to the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.2% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%). 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.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations16 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates16 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls6NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints55NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings3 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins148NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
InvestigationsnoneNHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationNo defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No 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 NHTSA12 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe 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.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2019 Mustang The Mustang model year with the cleanest record on file — grade C, 6 recalls.Recalls Every Ford recall on file All campaigns filed against Ford vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Mustang by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

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.

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