2020 Ford Mustang
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 27 of 119 complaints (23%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 147 in 2019 to 119 in 2020.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,500–4,850 | 2,500–4,850 | 2,500–5,550 | 2,500–5,550 | 2,500–5,550 | |
| Combined MPG | 16–25 | 16–25 | 14–25 | 14–25 | 14–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 14–21 / 21–32 | 14–21 / 21–32 | 12–21 / 18–32 | 12–21 / 18–32 | 12–22 / 18–32 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 353–549 | 355–549 | 354–631 | 354–631 | 350–631 | |
| Complaints filed | 188 | 147 | 119 | 55 | 49 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 9 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 3 | 13 | 4 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 10 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 16 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Mustang have?
8 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2020 Ford Mustang?
Engine: 27 of 119 NHTSA complaints (23%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Ford Mustang get?
EPA rates it 14–25 MPG combined across 14 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Ford Mustang?
EPA estimates $2,500–$5,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (14)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 30 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 364 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S10) | 4 | 2.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 354 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 15 mpg | 24 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 493 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S10) | 4 | 2.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 387 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S10) | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 16 mpg | 25 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 472 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S10) | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 15 mpg | 24 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 484 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (S10) | 4 | 2.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (S10) | 4 | 2.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 389 g/mi |
| Configuration 14 | Automatic (AM7) | 8 | 5.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 12 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $5,550 (high) | 631 g/mi (high) |
Show 3 more configurations
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 11 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 19 mpg | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 406 g/mi |
| Configuration 12 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 5.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 14 mpg | 21 mpg | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 550 g/mi |
| Configuration 13 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 14 mpg | 23 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 514 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 24 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 25 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 18 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 22 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (8)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 25V695000 · Oct 14, 2025
Defect: 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. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · Campaign 25V442000 · Jun 30, 2025
Defect: 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: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM · Campaign 23V727000 · Oct 30, 2023
Defect: 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: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) · Campaign 22V382000 · May 27, 2022
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may broadcast an unintended faulted signal to the modules controlling the reverse camera, reverse light, and driver assist features, which may disable all of these functions.
Consequence: A rearview camera or reverse light that is disabled reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Disabled driver assist features (traction control, forward collision warning, blind spot warning, cross traffic indicator) may increase the risk of a crash.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES; SERVICE BRAKES · Campaign 20V573000 · Sep 23, 2020
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The brake pedal bracket may fracture during sudden stopping.
Consequence: A broken brake pedal could affect braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 20V575000 · Sep 23, 2020
Defect: 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. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 20V306000 · May 27, 2020
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped a forward-looking camera. The camera may be misaligned to the vehicle and features that are dependent on the camera such as Pre-Collision Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping System, Driver Alert, and Auto High Beam Control may not function as intended.
Consequence: If the driver is unaware that the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not operating effectively, they may rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
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. Ford's number for this recall is 20S26.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · Campaign 20V263000 · May 11, 2020
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being shifted into park, unintended vehicle movement may result, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
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.