MODEL
Ford Mustang Gt500
NHTSA safety across every Ford Mustang Gt500 model year we cover.
Across the 1 model year of the Ford Mustang Gt500 we cover (2021 to 2021), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2021 at 90 on the NHTSA Safety Index. No recalls are on record across those years.
The 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is a high-performance muscle coupe aimed squarely at driving enthusiasts who want supercar-level speed wrapped in an iconic American body. Sitting at the top of the Mustang lineup, the GT500 competes in the ultra-performance coupe segment and draws buyers who prioritize track capability and heritage as much as everyday usability.
The 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 earns a Best NHTSA Safety Index of 90 out of 100, placing it in the Exceptional band. That headline number is backed by a perfect five-star sweep across all three NHTSA crash-test categories: frontal, side, and rollover. For a wide, low-slung performance coupe, a five-star rollover rating is particularly noteworthy and speaks to a well-engineered structure beneath the aggressive sheetmetal. Perhaps the most striking data point for a model year with this much power and driver appeal is the recall count: zero. Not a single recall was issued for the 2021 GT500, which is a genuinely clean record. Owner complaints across the covered year total 55, with 4 crash allegations and 2 injury allegations reported. These are unverified allegations and the numbers are not alarming for a low-volume, high-performance vehicle with an enthusiast owner base that tends to push limits. No fire or fatality allegations appear in the data. The bottom line from a pure safety standpoint is straightforward: the 2021 GT500 posts about as strong a federal safety profile as any vehicle in this segment can. Shoppers should still recognize this is a 700-plus horsepower machine, and responsible operation remains the most important safety variable of all.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the GT500 as a landmark American performance car, praising its extraordinary straight-line speed and surprisingly composed handling for a vehicle of its power output. Most note that the driving experience is intense and demands respect, while interior refinement and everyday usability are considered secondary priorities for the target buyer.
- The 2021 GT500 achieved a perfect five-star rating in every NHTSA crash-test category, frontal, side, and rollover, earning an Exceptional Safety Index score of 90 out of 100.
- Zero recalls were issued for the 2021 model year, making it one of the cleaner launch records for any high-performance vehicle in recent memory.
- Owner complaints total 55, including 4 crash allegations and 2 injury allegations. These are unverified, and no fire or fatality allegations appear in the NHTSA data.
- Despite its strong structural safety scores, the GT500 produces extreme power levels that place a heavy burden on driver judgment. Federal crash ratings reflect passive safety engineering and do not account for how the vehicle is operated.