2021 Ford MUSTANG
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Ford MUSTANG has 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 296. The most common issue is fuel system problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: check engine light keeps coming on even after dealer says it is fixed. keeps throwing codes evaporative emission system problem.. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.
67
Total Complaints
6
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
FUEL SYSTEM
15 complaints- • Check engine light keeps coming on even after dealer says it is fixed. Keeps throwing codes evaporative emission system problem.
- • My 2021 Ford Mustang EcoBoost is currently experiencing an ongoing issue with the EVAP purge valve, a critical emissions component. The vehicle suffers from stuttering, rough idle, and a check engine light, especially immediately after refueling, where the engine has stalled multiple times—posing a
- • The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number:25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair
“Check engine light keeps coming on even after dealer says it is fixed. Keeps throwing codes evaporative emission system problem.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2021 Ford MUSTANG
Based on 20 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 5K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
FUEL SYSTEM
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)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mustang vehicles. The side curtain air bag inflators may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in improper air bag inflation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 226, "Ejection Mitigation," and 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Risk: An air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Ford MUSTANG
Live EIA pricesBased 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 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Ford MUSTANG
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Ford MUSTANG Service Intervals
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
These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2021 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 67 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: Check engine light keeps coming on even after dealer says it is fixed. Keeps throwing codes evaporative emission system problem.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that immediately after purchasing the vehicle new, the engine experienced random misfire, causing the vehicle to lose motive power and acceleration. During the failure, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to t
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: Vehicle bucks at low speed after putting in drive and when driving during downshift, on 4 occasions I almost hit my wife's vehicle during low speed bucking with the trans
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang GT500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering as the instrument cluster went blank and the charging system error warning message was illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving a
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)
Ford MUSTANG — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 67
- Recalls
- 6
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 5
- Injury reports
- 3
- Segment avg
- 296
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Ford MUSTANG