NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2024 Ford Mustang Safety Ratings
The 2024 Ford Mustang scores 77 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 12 recalls, and 70 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2024 Ford Mustang achieves a 79/100 on the NHTSA Safety Index, placing it in the Average band. Its most notable safety attribute is a perfect five-star sweep across all NHTSA crash-test categories. However, this strong performance is mitigated by ten recalls and a notably thin score for avoidance technology, which together meaningfully reduce its overall safety assessment.
The 2024 Ford Mustang earned a NHTSA Safety Index of 79/100 and a five-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 8 Coupes from 2024 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2024 Ford Mustang ranks 8 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- families prioritizing rollover safety
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 77 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 7.9% |
| Recalls on file | 12 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 70 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 8 of 8 Coupes tested for 2024 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2024 Ford Mustang?
The 2024 Ford Mustang represents a notable step back in safety standing compared to its immediate predecessor. The 2023 model held an 87/100 Index in the Strong band; this 2024 model lands at 79/100 in the Average band, an eight-point drop driven almost entirely by its defect record score of 3.5 out of 20. That sub-score reflects the weight of ten recalls accumulated against this model year, including one serious enough to carry a park-outside or do-not-drive designation tied to water intrusion in the body control module affecting exterior lighting. The crash-protection sub-score tells a very different story: a perfect 70 out of 70, backed by five-star ratings in every NHTSA test category and a low 8 percent rollover risk. The avoidance-tech score of 5 out of 10 reflects that forward collision warning is listed as both standard and optional depending on configuration, while lane departure warning and electronic stability control are standard. The 70 owner complaints, led by 30 alleged electrical system issues, align directly with the instrument panel cluster recalls that were issued for this specific year. Shoppers weighing this year's strong crash scores against its recall volume and index decline have a genuinely mixed picture to navigate.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2024 Ford Mustang perform in crash tests?
The 2024 Ford Mustang achieved the highest possible rating in every category assessed by NHTSA. This includes the overall vehicle score, frontal crash protection, side impact resistance, and rollover prevention. The Mustang's rollover risk is notably low at 8 percent, further underscored by a "No Tip" result in the dynamic tip test.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 19149
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2024 Ford Mustang have any recalls?
Yes. The 2024 Ford Mustang carries ten recalls. Campaigns cover exterior lighting (water intrusion into the body control module), the instrument panel cluster failing to illuminate, a fuel injector concern, and a back-over prevention software issue. One campaign is classified as a park-outside or do-not-drive directive, which demands immediate attention.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING26V547000
Risk: A loss of driver power increases the risk of a crash. In addition, a loss of headlight function or windshield washing system function can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine compartment wiring harness ground terminals, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in March 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (V
Reported 2026-08-25
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR26V418000
Risk: Windshield wipers or a washing system that fails to function as intended can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper motor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C32. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 2, 2026.
Reported 2026-06-30
EXTERIOR LIGHTING25V546000
Risk: License plate, side marker, and tail lights that fail to illuminate as intended can reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and seal the body seams as necessary. Dealers will also inspect the body control module for corrosion and replace it, if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C43.
Reported 2025-08-22
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL25V516000
Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: A dealer will update the instrument panel cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 12, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C35.
Reported 2025-08-08
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V315000
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, 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 June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is avail
Reported 2025-05-09
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL24V802000
Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C35.
Reported 2024-10-25
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS24V634000
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install new fuel injector O-rings and O-ring support discs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S54.
Reported 2024-08-23
SUSPENSION:REAR24V593000
Risk: A loss of vehicle handling and steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear suspension knuckle as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 26, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S49.
Reported 2024-08-09
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING:SWITCH/SENSOR/FLOAT24V496000
Risk: An undetected low brake fluid condition can lead to a loss of braking function, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 12, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S43.
Reported 2024-06-28
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:LINKAGE:HYDRAULIC HOSE/FITTINGS24V394000
Risk: A melted clutch pressure line can result in a loss of drive power, increases the risk of a crash. A brake fluid leak increases the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the clutch pressure line and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 14, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S36.
Reported 2024-06-03
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS24V220000
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire. In addition, a loss of fuel may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel supply line, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S19.
Reported 2024-03-22
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES23V800000
Risk: A loose brake pedal can result in a loss of braking function, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repair has been performed. Dealers will replace the brake pedal and bracket assembly, 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 23S61.
Reported 2023-11-28
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2024 Ford Mustang?
Owners have filed 70 unverified complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported component is the Electrical System with 30 alleged issues, followed by Unknown or Other (16), Engine (9), Exterior Lighting (7), Power Train (7), and Service Brakes (6). Five crash events and four injuries are alleged; none are confirmed.
70 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2024 Ford Mustang?
With ten recalls on record for the 2024 Ford Mustang, including one park-outside campaign, confirming that every remedy has been completed at a dealership is the single most important safety step a buyer can take. Prospective owners should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool.
- The 2024 Mustang's Safety Index dropped eight points from the 2023 model's 87/100 Strong rating to 79/100 Average, with the defect record sub-score of 3.5 out of 20 as the primary driver of that decline.
- One of the ten 2024-specific recalls carries a park-outside or do-not-drive classification, linked to water potentially entering the body control module and affecting exterior lighting on 2024-2025 Mustang vehicles.
- NHTSA owner complaints for this model year are dominated by 30 alleged electrical system issues, a pattern that directly mirrors the instrument panel cluster recall campaigns issued specifically for 2024 Mustang units.
- Despite the recall and complaint picture, NHTSA crash-test results for the 2024 Mustang are uniformly strong: five stars in every category and a No Tip result on the dynamic rollover test, yielding a perfect crash-protection sub-score of 70 out of 70.
RANKINGSWhere the 2024 Ford Mustang places
The 2024 Ford Mustang qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2024 Ford Mustang safety questions
Was the 2024 Ford Mustang crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2024 Ford Mustang, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 77 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2024 Ford Mustang crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2024 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 7.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2024 Ford Mustang have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 12 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2024 Ford Mustang, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2024 Ford Mustang?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 70 owner complaints are on file for the 2024 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 (2024)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Chevrolet Camaro Ss Without Recaro | 90/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2024 Chevrolet Camaro Without Recaro | 90/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2024 Chevrolet Camaro Lt1 Without Recaro | 87/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2024 Chevrolet Camaro Ss With Recaro | 87/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2024 Chevrolet Camaro With Recaro | 87/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2024 Chevrolet Camaro Zl1 With Recaro | 87/100 | not rated | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 19149), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Mustang 2024.
- 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 8 of 8 in the Coupe class for 2024.
- 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.