Ford Mustang engine problems, 2016–2026
305 of the 1,332 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Mustang 2016–2026 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2016 (83), 2018 (64), 2019 (62). Filed under the same heading across these years: 5 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford Mustang engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 38% | — | 3 recalls | the year → |
| 2025 | 4 | 22% | — | 10 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2024 | 9 | 11% | — | 14 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 2 | 13% | — | 4 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 6 | 12% | — | 17 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 10 | 18% | — | 16 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 28 | 23% | — | 21 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 62 | 42% | 55k | 21 TSBs | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 64 | 33% | 27k | 23 TSBs | the record → |
| 2017 | 34 | 13% | 31k | 39 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 83 | 22% | 44k | 41 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 12 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 13 · 2019: 26 · 2020: 11 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 35 · 2024: 62 · 2025: 73 · 2026: 53
Across the model years, half of the 134 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 12,000 and 73,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Engine oil cooler tube assemblies leak brought the car to the dealer twice problem not fixed, yesterday 4/12/17 brought the car again for the same problem, the service department is saying the coujld not finish the job today and wants to keep the car over the weekend for further repairs.
Rough idle with no throttle control while in drive. Engine died and wouldn't restart. Was taken into Ford for similar problem a few months ago and I reported it here. The first repair was recorded as a defective throttle body. This car is not safe!
I have the exact problem as NHTSA case number 11187080. I bought it new. Now has about 11000. Have taken it to two different Ford dealers and both have said that they cannot find anything wrong and it operates as it should. I plan to taken it back in again and show them the other NHTSA complaints
At 60mph on the freeway, my 2018 Mustang gt with 2,000 miles on it blew the engine. Massive amounts of smoke were pouring out the exhaust pipes and from under the hood and the vehicle was violently shaking and sounder like a tin can full of nuts and bolts.
Bought the car for my son August 2. The engine light came on the end of October, the Ford dealer was backed up once they took a look at it in the beginning of November. They told me I needed a whole new engine due to a coolant intrusion problem.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V548000 HighAug 25, 2026 · 10,001 vehicles
- 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.
- 26V205000 HighMar 31, 2026 · 278 vehicles
- 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.
- 26V122000 HighMar 3, 2026 · 47,804 vehicles
- 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.
- 25V828000 HighDec 1, 2025 · 6 vehicles
- 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.
- 16V779000 HighOct 26, 2016 · 6,582 vehicles
- 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.
Other systems with a record on the Ford Mustang
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Ford Mustang problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford Mustang years have the most engine complaints?
2016, 83; 2018, 64; 2019, 62. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (42%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Ford Mustang?
Yes — 5 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V548000 (2026), 26V205000 (2026), 26V122000 (2025), 25V828000 (2026). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Ford Mustang?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 44,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 12,000 and 73,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.