Is the 2010 Ford MUSTANG reliable?

The 2010 Ford MUSTANG has 296 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Ford MUSTANG?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (180 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (17 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (14 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Ford MUSTANG?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Ford MUSTANG?

The 2010 Ford MUSTANG gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Ford MUSTANG?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Ford MUSTANG is approximately $2,205/year (coupe-muscle class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Ford MUSTANG

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Ford MUSTANG has 296 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 296. The most common issue is air bags problems (61% of all complaints), specifically: braking for traffic signal engine created clunking then whistling noise. it seemed and felt like the engine had fallen onto payment. taking foot off brake the 2010 mustang accelerated on its own. drove home parked called ford and also reported that airbag light passenger airbag light always on. f. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 18 crash reports 15 injuries

296

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

180 complaints

61%

• BRAKING FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL ENGINE CREATED CLUNKING THEN WHISTLING NOISE. IT SEEMED AND FELT LIKE THE ENGINE HAD FALLEN ONTO PAYMENT. TAKING FOOT OFF BRAKE THE 2010 MUSTANG ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. DROVE HOME PARKED CALLED FORD AND ALSO REPORTED THAT AIRBAG LIGHT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ALWAYS ON. F
• TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH PROCEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN AN OPPOSING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACTS HEAD STRUCK THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WHICH RESULTED IN CUTS TO THE HEAD AND EYE BROW AREA. THE AIR BA
• BOUGHT A 2010 MUSTANG GT500 CONVERTIBLE ON FEB 18 2010. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TWO OF THE SAME ISSUES WITH PROBLEMS SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO SECOND GEAR AND FIFTH GEAR. IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW FOR THE SECOND TIME TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, IN MARCH, MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY A CAR FROM THE R

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 8 crashes

“BRAKING FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL ENGINE CREATED CLUNKING THEN WHISTLING NOISE. IT SEEMED AND FELT LIKE THE ENGINE HAD FALLEN ONTO PAYMENT. TAKING FOOT OFF BRAKE THE 2010 MUSTANG ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. DROVE HOME PARKED CALLED FORD AND ALSO REPORTED THAT AIRBAG LIGHT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ALWAYS ON. F”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Ford MUSTANG

Based on 119 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 43K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 42K mi · 29 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 17K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 64K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 46K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 28K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 45K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE07/01/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Ford MUSTANG

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,429/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Ford MUSTANG

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,205

Full coverage / month

$184

Liability only / year

$794

vs US avg

+32%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (coupe-muscle)1.55x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$2205

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford MUSTANG Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2010 MUSTANG, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 296 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: BRAKING FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL ENGINE CREATED CLUNKING THEN WHISTLING NOISE. IT SEEMED AND FELT LIKE THE ENGINE HAD FALLEN ONTO PAYMENT. TAKING FOOT OFF BRAKE THE 2010 MUSTANG ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. DROVE HOME PARKED CALLED FORD AND ALSO REPORTED THAT AIRBAG LIGHT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ALWAYS ON. F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE HOOD SCOOP WOULD NOT REMAIN PROPERLY SECURED TO THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: BOUGHT A 2010 MUSTANG GT500 CONVERTIBLE ON FEB 18 2010. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TWO OF THE SAME ISSUES WITH PROBLEMS SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO SECOND GEAR AND FIFTH GEAR. IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW FOR THE SECOND TIME TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, IN MARCH, MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY A CAR FROM THE R
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: BRAKING FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL ENGINE CREATED CLUNKING THEN WHISTLING NOISE. IT SEEMED AND FELT LIKE THE ENGINE HAD FALLEN ONTO PAYMENT. TAKING FOOT OFF BRAKE THE 2010 MUSTANG ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. DROVE HOME PARKED CALLED FORD AND ALSO REPORTED THAT AIRBAG LIGHT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ALWAYS ON. F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)