MODEL
Ford Mustang
NHTSA safety across every Ford Mustang model year we cover.
Across the 8 model years of the Ford Mustang we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2025 at 91 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2024 at 79. 51 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Ford Mustang is an American icon that needs little introduction, but its safety story deserves a closer look. This rear-wheel-drive coupe competes in the performance pony car segment, targeting enthusiasts who want V8 rumble or turbocharged punch alongside genuine driving engagement. From the refreshed 2019 model through the seventh-generation S650 that arrived for 2024, the Mustang spans a wide range of buyers, from daily drivers to weekend warriors.
The Ford Mustang's safety record across the 2019 to 2025 model years is a mixed but ultimately encouraging picture. At its best, the Mustang earns a 93 out of 100 NHTSA Safety Index for the 2023 model year, which places it in Exceptional territory, and top-year crash testing shows a perfect 5-star sweep across frontal, side, and rollover categories. That is genuinely strong hardware performance for a performance coupe. The concern lies elsewhere. Across the covered model years, NHTSA records 43 recalls, a notably high count for a six-year window, and that total includes at least one park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, the most serious recall classification NHTSA issues. Shoppers should treat that as a real flag, not a footnote. Owner complaints number 453 across the same span, with 34 reported crashes and 17 reported injuries among those unverified allegations. Six fire-related complaints also appear in the data. None of this makes the Mustang uniquely dangerous, but it does mean buyers need to stay current on open recalls before purchasing or driving any used example. The bottom line is straightforward: when the Mustang is at its tested best, the crash-test numbers inspire confidence. The recall volume and complaint profile demand diligence.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally celebrate the Mustang for its driving dynamics, engine options, and unmistakable character, calling it one of the most engaging and accessible performance cars on the market. Most acknowledge that the cabin and technology have modernized meaningfully over this generation. Opinions on everyday usability and refinement relative to rivals tend to be more divided.
- The Mustang earned a 93 out of 100 NHTSA Safety Index in its best covered year (2023), with 5-star ratings across all three crash-test categories, frontal, side, and rollover, so the structural safety foundation is genuinely strong.
- With 43 recalls across the 2019 to 2025 model years, the Mustang carries an above-average recall burden. At least one of those campaigns was classified as a park-outside or do-not-drive directive, the most serious level NHTSA issues. Always run the VIN through NHTSA's recall database before buying or driving any used example.
- Owner complaints total 453 across covered years, including 34 reported crashes, 17 reported injuries, and 6 fire-related allegations. These are unverified by NHTSA, but the fire complaint count is worth noting and warrants checking whether any relevant recall applies to the specific vehicle you are considering.
- The Mustang's safety rating band varies across model years, ranging from Average to Exceptional, so the year of manufacture matters. A 2023 model's Exceptional rating does not automatically extend to earlier or later examples. Verify the specific model year's rating before making a purchase decision.
Most-recalled year on record: 2024 Ford Mustang with 10 recalls.