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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2021 Ford Mustang is associated with 55 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 6 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Fuel System, accounting for 9 reports (16% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 23 certified vehicle configurations spanning all-electric, 2.3l 4-cyl, 5l 8-cyl, and 5.2l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 14 to 25 MPG combined. All-electric variants deliver up to 101 MPGe with an estimated range of 305 miles.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 55 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 6 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Fuel System (9 / 16%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 4 crash / 0 fire / 2 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 14–25 MPG across 23 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2021 Ford Mustang?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Mustang Mach-E RWD California Route 1 100% Electric Electric Motor Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (A1) 108 MPGe 94 MPGe 101 MPGe 305 mi $750 / yr
Mustang Mach-E RWD 100% Electric Electric Motor Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (A1) 105 MPGe 93 MPGe 100 MPGe 230 mi $750 / yr
Mustang Mach-E RWD Extended 100% Electric Electric Motor Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (A1) 104 MPGe 90 MPGe 97 MPGe 300 mi $800 / yr
Mustang Mach-E AWD 100% Electric Electric Motor All-Wheel Drive Automatic (A1) 100 MPGe 86 MPGe 93 MPGe 211 mi $800 / yr
Mustang Mach-E AWD Extended 100% Electric Electric Motor All-Wheel Drive Automatic (A1) 96 MPGe 84 MPGe 90 MPGe 270 mi $850 / yr
Mustang Mach-E GT 100% Electric Electric Motor All-Wheel Drive Automatic (A1) 90 MPGe 77 MPGe 84 MPGe 270 mi $900 / yr
Mustang Mach-E GT Performance 100% Electric Electric Motor All-Wheel Drive Automatic (A1) 88 MPGe 75 MPGe 82 MPGe 260 mi $950 / yr
Mustang 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 21 MPG 32 MPG 25 MPG — $2,450 / yr
Mustang 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 21 MPG 32 MPG 25 MPG — $2,450 / yr
Mustang 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 21 MPG 29 MPG 24 MPG — $2,550 / yr
Mustang HO Coupe 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 20 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Mustang Convertible 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 20 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Mustang Convertible 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 20 MPG 28 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Mustang Convertible 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 20 MPG 28 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Mustang HO Coupe 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 20 MPG 27 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Mustang HO Convertible 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 19 MPG 26 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Mustang HO Convertible 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 19 MPG 25 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Mustang 5L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 15 MPG 24 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Mustang Mach 1 5L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 15 MPG 23 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Mustang 5L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 15 MPG 24 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Mustang Convertible 5L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 15 MPG 23 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Mustang Mach 1 5L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 14 MPG 22 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Shelby GT500 Mustang 5.2L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM7) 12 MPG 18 MPG 14 MPG — $5,450 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
Electric Range & Charging: The 2021 Ford Mustang provides an official EPA-rated driving range of up to 305 miles on a single battery charge.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2021 Ford Mustang?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
C RWD 8.1%
2 DR RWD 9.3%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Ford Mustang models.
View complete 2021 Ford Mustang crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2021 Ford Mustang?

Summary of 55 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
55
Crash Reports
4
Fire Reports
0
Complaints w/ Injury
2
Total Injuries
2

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Fuel System 9 complaints
Powertrain 7 complaints
Back Over Prevention / Camera 3 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Engine 3 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2021 Ford Mustang problems & component breakdown (26 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2021 Ford Mustang?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #25V689000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM

Defect Summary: 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."

Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Campaign #25V455000 Active Recall
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Campaign #25V442000 Active Recall
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2021 Ford Mustang recalls & campaign history (6 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2021 Ford Mustang

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2021 Ford Mustang

How many safety recalls does the 2021 Ford Mustang have?

The 2021 Ford Mustang is associated with 6 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 6 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 Ford Mustang?

NHTSA records list 55 consumer defect complaints for the 2021 Ford Mustang. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Fuel System, appearing in 9 filings (16% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2021 Ford Mustang defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Ford Mustang?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2021 Ford Mustang earned an Overall Safety Rating of 5 out of 5 stars across 1 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2021 Ford Mustang get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2021 Ford Mustang range from 14 to 25 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.