2026 Ford Mustang
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 1 of 5 complaints (20%) mentions it.
Complaints filed fell from 14 in 2025 to 5 in 2026.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | vs. 2026 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–3,650 | 2,400–5,200 | 2,400–6,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–26 | 12–26 | 12–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 14–22 / 22–33 | 10–22 / 17–33 | 10–22 / 17–33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 341–535 | 342–741 | 341–741 | |
| Complaints filed | 75 | 14 | 5 | |
| Recalls issued | 12 | 6 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 1 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 8 | 6 | 6 |
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 2026 Ford Mustang have?
5 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 2026 Ford Mustang?
Engine: 1 of 5 NHTSA complaints (20%) mentions it.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Ford Mustang get?
EPA rates it 12–26 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Ford Mustang?
EPA estimates $2,400–$6,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S10) | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 16 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 15 mpg | 23 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 10-spd | 4 | 2.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 22 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 341 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S10) | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 14 mpg | 22 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 525 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 14 mpg | 22 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 533 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 8 | 5.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 10 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 12 mpg (low) | $6,450 (high) | 741 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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 (5)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL · Campaign 26V548000 · Aug 26, 2026
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 28, 2026.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · Campaign 26V547000 · Aug 26, 2026
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Mustang vehicles. The engine compartment wiring harness ground connections may fracture and result in a loss of drive power, or a loss of function in the windshield washing system, headlights, air conditioning, or engine cooling fan. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," and 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
Consequence: A loss of driver power increases the risk of a crash. In addition, a loss of headlight function or windshield washing system function can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine compartment wiring harness ground terminals, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in March 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 28, 2026.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR · Campaign 26V418000 · Jun 30, 2026
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Mustang and 2025-2026 Mustang GTD vehicles. During certain cold temperature conditions, the windshield wipers may function only at their high-speed setting and the washing system may fail to function properly.
Consequence: Windshield wipers or a washing system that fails to function as intended can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper motor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C32. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 2, 2026.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL · Campaign 26V205000 · Mar 31, 2026
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or mis-installed circlips and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S23. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.
ENGINE · Campaign 25V828000 · Dec 2, 2025
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a fire. In addition, the loss of oil can result in engine seizure and loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still within dealership inventory and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 24, 2025.