NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Ford Mustang Safety Ratings
The 2020 Ford Mustang scores 82 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 8 recalls, and 113 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2020 Ford Mustang earned a perfect score in every NHTSA crash-test category, demonstrating exceptional occupant protection. This strong performance underpins its NHTSA Safety Index of 82/100, placing it in the Strong band. However, the Mustang's overall safety assessment is tempered by eight active recall campaigns and a modest score in avoidance technology. Buyers considering this model must account for the open recalls.
The 2020 Ford Mustang holds a 5-star overall NHTSA crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 82 out of 100, sourced from NHTSA crash-test, recall, and complaint data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 9 Coupes from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Ford Mustang ranks 9 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- families prioritizing rollover safety
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 82 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 9.3% |
| Recalls on file | 8 |
| Owner complaints | 113 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 9 of 9 Coupes tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Ford Mustang?
The 2020 Ford Mustang's Safety Index of 82 out of 100 marks a five-point decline from the 2019 model's 87, a shift that is entirely traceable to this year's defect record rather than any change in crash-test performance. The crash-protection sub-score is a full 70 out of 70, reflecting the clean five-star sweep across all NHTSA categories. What pulls the 2020 year down is its defect record score of only 6 out of 20, driven by eight recall campaigns accumulated against this model year. Among those campaigns, the brake pedal bracket recall is specific to 2020 automatic-transmission Mustangs, a structural braking concern with no equivalent in the 2019 data. The powertrain control module recall targets 2019 and 2020 models with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions, while the body control module recall spans 2020 through 2023 Mustangs. Avoidance technology scores 6 out of 10, reflecting that both forward collision warning and lane departure warning are optional rather than standard on this year. Electronic stability control remains standard. The 113 unverified owner complaints, with alleged fire and crash reports, reinforce the importance of confirming recall remedy completion before purchase.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Ford Mustang perform in crash tests?
The 2020 Ford Mustang attained NHTSA's highest possible marks across the board, securing a 5 out of 5 star overall safety rating. Both frontal and side protection categories earned 5 stars. The vehicle also achieved a 5-star rollover resistance rating, with a low 9 percent risk of rollover and a "No Tip" result in dynamic testing. Every rated crash-test dimension for this model year received the top score.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14883
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Ford Mustang have any recalls?
Eight recall campaigns cover the 2020 Mustang. Components involved include the brake pedal bracket on automatic-transmission models, a powertrain control module on 5.0L manual-transmission models, the brake fluid level sensor via the body control module, and back-over prevention camera and software systems. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the data provided, but buyers should verify current remedy status by VIN through NHTSA.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA25V695000
Risk: 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 le
Reported 2025-10-13
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V442000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2025-06-27
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM23V727000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2023-10-27
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)22V382000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2022-05-27
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES20V573000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2020-09-23
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA20V575000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2020-09-23
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA20V306000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2020-05-27
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)20V263000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2020-05-08
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Ford Mustang?
Owners have filed 113 unverified allegations with NHTSA for the 2020 Mustang, including alleged reports of 13 crashes, 4 fires, and 8 injuries. The most frequently cited components in these unverified allegations are the Electrical System with 23 reports, Power Train and Engine each with 22, and Service Brakes with 18.
113 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Ford Mustang?
Braking and powertrain control issues define the 2020 Mustang's safety profile, with at least three of its eight recall campaigns directly addressing these critical systems. Shoppers of this model year should prioritize running the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup, as remedy completion on a six-year-old vehicle is not guaranteed.
- The 2020 Mustang's Safety Index dropped five points from the 2019 model's 87 to 82, driven by a defect record sub-score of only 6 out of 20 tied to eight recall campaigns specific to or inclusive of this model year.
- A brake pedal bracket recall applies specifically to 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, making it a 2020-specific structural brake concern that used buyers must verify as remedied by VIN.
- A powertrain control module recall targets 2019 and 2020 Mustangs with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions, meaning high-performance variant buyers face an additional open-recall check beyond the automatic-transmission brake issue.
- Both forward collision warning and lane departure warning are optional on the 2020 Mustang, contributing to an avoidance-tech sub-score of 6 out of 10 and meaning many examples on the used market will lack those features entirely.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Ford Mustang places
The 2020 Ford Mustang qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Ford Mustang safety questions
Was the 2020 Ford Mustang crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 Ford Mustang, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 82 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2020 Ford Mustang crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 Ford Mustang earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 5 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 9.3%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Mustang have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 8 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Ford Mustang. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Ford Mustang?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 113 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Ford Mustang. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Mustang years
Rivals in Coupe (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Chevrolet Camaro Ss | 86/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Ford Mustang Gt350r | 86/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Honda Civic | 84/100 | 5 of 5 | 5 |
| 2020 Subaru BRZ | 84/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Toyota 86 | 84/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Chevrolet Camaro Zl1 | 83/100 | not rated | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 14883), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Mustang 2020.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 9 of 9 in the Coupe class for 2020.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.