NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Ford Mustang Safety Ratings
The 2021 Ford Mustang scores 89 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 6 recalls, and 55 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Ford Mustang achieves a NHTSA Safety Index of 89/100, securing its position in the Strong band. This robust overall score is noteworthy given the presence of six recall campaigns, which contribute to a defect-record subscore of 11.5/20. While the crash-test performance is excellent, these recalls present a critical area for prospective owners to investigate.
The 2021 Ford Mustang received a NHTSA Safety Index of 89/100 and a 5-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 7 Coupes from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Ford Mustang ranks 2 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- families prioritizing rollover safety
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 89 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 9.3% |
| Recalls on file | 6 |
| Owner complaints | 55 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 2 of 7 Coupes tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Ford Mustang?
The 2021 Ford Mustang represents a meaningful step forward from the 2020 model year: the Safety Index climbed from 82/100 to 89/100, a seven-point gain within the same Strong band. That movement is driven by the crash-protection subscore reaching its ceiling at 70 out of 70 points, a clean sweep of 5-star NHTSA ratings across frontal, side, and rollover categories. The avoidance-tech subscore of 7.5/10 reflects a mixed standard-versus-optional equipment picture: lane departure warning is standard, electronic stability control is standard, but forward collision warning is only optional, leaving some 2021 Mustangs on the road without that layer of protection. The defect-record subscore of 11.5/20 is where this model year shows its strain. Six recall campaigns have been issued, two of them addressing the brake fluid level sensor through the body control module, and one targeting a knee air bag weld that could compromise restraint performance in a frontal event. A fuel pump recall shared with a wide range of Ford and Lincoln products and a back-over prevention software recall round out the picture. The gap between a perfect crash-test score and a mid-range defect subscore is the defining tension of this specific model year.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Ford Mustang perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Ford Mustang achieved a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in every crash-test category assessed by NHTSA. This includes its overall, frontal, and side impact ratings. The rollover risk for this model year stands at 9 percent, with the dynamic tip test yielding a No Tip result. No safety category was left unrated or showed weakness in the NHTSA NCAP results for the 2021 Mustang.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15396
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Ford Mustang have any recalls?
Six recalls cover this model year. Key campaigns target the body control module and brake fluid level sensor (the visual low-brake-fluid warning may fail to activate), a gasoline fuel pump affecting multiple Ford and Lincoln platforms, back-over prevention software, and a front passenger knee air bag with an insufficient weld that could increase injury risk in a crash. No explicit do-not-drive directive appears in the supplied campaign summaries, but the brake-sensor and knee-air-bag issues are safety-critical.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM25V689000
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 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.
Reported 2025-10-10
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP25V455000
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Reported 2025-07-07
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
AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER22V083000
Risk: An improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger knee air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 8, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S07.
Reported 2022-02-16
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN21V980000
Risk: An air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on February 3, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C37.
Reported 2021-12-16
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Ford Mustang?
Owners have filed 55 unverified complaints with NHTSA for this model year. The most frequently alleged problem areas are Fuel System and Gasoline (10 reports each), followed by Power Train (9), Engine (8), Electrical System (6), and Fuel/Propulsion System (5). Four complaints allege crash involvement and two allege injuries. All are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
55 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Ford Mustang?
The 2021 Ford Mustang enters the used market with six safety recalls on record, a figure that warrants careful attention. Prospective buyers must prioritize a VIN check with NHTSA's recall lookup tool, followed by confirmation that all outstanding remedies, notably those concerning brake-sensor and knee-airbag issues, have been completed by a Ford dealership.
- The Safety Index rose seven points from the 2020 model year (82/100) to 89/100, driven by a perfect 70/70 crash-protection subscore across all NHTSA-tested categories.
- Two separate recall campaigns target the body control module's brake fluid level sensor, meaning some 2021 Mustangs may have gone through a prior repair that was itself performed incorrectly and required a second remedy.
- The front passenger knee air bag recall (issued in early 2022) cites an insufficient weld that could increase injury risk in a crash, making remedy verification a priority for any used-market purchase.
- Forward collision warning is listed as optional rather than standard for this model year, so individual vehicles may or may not carry that crash-avoidance feature, directly affecting the 7.5/10 avoidance-tech subscore depending on how the specific car was equipped.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Ford Mustang places
The 2021 Ford Mustang qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Ford Mustang safety questions
Was the 2021 Ford Mustang crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Ford Mustang, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 89 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 2021 Ford Mustang crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 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 2021 Ford Mustang have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 6 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Ford Mustang. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Ford Mustang?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 55 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Ford Mustang. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Mustang years
Rivals in Coupe (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Ford Mustang Gt500 | 90/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Chevrolet Camaro Ss | 88/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Chevrolet Camaro Lt1 | 86/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Chevrolet Camaro Zl1 | 85/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Chevrolet Camaro | 84/100 | 5 of 5 | 4 |
| 2021 Dodge Challenger | 80/100 | 5 of 5 | 2 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15396), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Mustang 2021.
- 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 2 of 7 in the Coupe class for 2021.
- 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.