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Ford Mustang — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Ford Mustang model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
62
Years to Avoid
2016, 2015, 2007, 2005, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1994
Best Years
2026, 1983, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965
2026Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls2 TSBs
2025
11 complaints3 recalls33 TSBs
2024
102 complaints10 recalls104 TSBs
2023
25 complaints6 recalls62 TSBs
2022
62 complaints9 recalls106 TSBs
2021
59 complaints6 recalls142 TSBs
2020
155 complaints8 recalls1 invest.181 TSBs
2019
173 complaints5 recalls182 TSBs
2018
221 complaints4 recalls196 TSBs
2017
322 complaints6 recalls1 invest.154 TSBs
2016Avoid
481 complaints5 recalls1 invest.166 TSBs
2015Avoid
583 complaints11 recalls3 invest.143 TSBs
2014
423 complaints4 recalls60 TSBs
2013
323 complaints6 recalls65 TSBs
2012
572 complaints7 recalls1 invest.61 TSBs
2011
582 complaints5 recalls1 invest.63 TSBs
2010
296 complaints6 recalls35 TSBs
2009
215 complaints6 recalls27 TSBs
2008
382 complaints8 recalls4 invest.24 TSBs
2007Avoid
727 complaints9 recalls4 invest.25 TSBs
2006
506 complaints9 recalls3 invest.27 TSBs
2005Avoid
893 complaints9 recalls3 invest.46 TSBs
2004
127 complaints6 recalls3 invest.33 TSBs
2003
177 complaints6 recalls3 invest.59 TSBs
2002
159 complaints6 recalls1 invest.72 TSBs
2001
219 complaints8 recalls1 invest.122 TSBs
2000Avoid
427 complaints9 recalls1 invest.139 TSBs
1999Avoid
281 complaints10 recalls1 invest.190 TSBs
1998Avoid
297 complaints14 recalls2 invest.173 TSBs
1997
231 complaints11 recalls2 invest.167 TSBs
1996Avoid
329 complaints12 recalls3 invest.151 TSBs
1995Avoid
829 complaints16 recalls4 invest.123 TSBs
1994Avoid
496 complaints13 recalls4 invest.125 TSBs
1993
132 complaints7 recalls1 invest.55 TSBs
1992
80 complaints5 recalls3 invest.43 TSBs
1991
98 complaints6 recalls2 invest.35 TSBs
1990
119 complaints5 recalls3 invest.33 TSBs
1989
127 complaints5 recalls4 invest.27 TSBs
1988
132 complaints5 recalls5 invest.27 TSBs
1987
44 complaints5 recalls6 invest.23 TSBs
1986
32 complaints2 recalls5 invest.22 TSBs
1985
22 complaints3 recalls4 invest.21 TSBs
1984
35 complaints4 recalls4 invest.13 TSBs
1983Best Year
5 complaints1 recalls3 invest.6 TSBs
1982
1 complaints1 recalls4 invest.5 TSBs
1981
0 complaints2 recalls4 invest.3 TSBs
1980
8 complaints2 recalls2 invest.7 TSBs
1979
0 complaints7 recalls2 invest.2 TSBs
1978Best Year
10 complaints5 recalls
1977Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls
1976Best Year
2 complaints3 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.
1974Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1972Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1971Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1970Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1969Best Year
3 complaints4 recalls
1968Best Year
1 complaints2 recalls
1967Best Year
3 complaints5 recalls
1966Best Year
5 complaints1 recalls
1965Best Year
6 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Ford Mustang Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2016, 2015, 2007, 2005, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1994 Ford Mustang are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Ford Mustang, consider the 2026, 1983, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

62 model years analyzed