Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2026 Ford Mustang
NHTSA data on file today
The 2026 Ford Mustang has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 8 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V547000 Wiring Harness Ground Connection Failure/FMVSS 104, 108 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V548000 Improperly Manufactured Pistons May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V418000 Windshield Wiper and Washing System Malfunction NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V205000 Incorrectly Installed Piston Circlips NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V828000 Engine Oil Leak May Cause Fire NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 3 complaints
- Electrical System 2 complaints
- Service Brakes 2 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 2 complaints
- Power Train 1 complaint
- Unknown or Other 1 complaint
Of the 8 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 8 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $15,000–$25,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2026 Ford Mustang suffers from potentially severe engine issues as highlighted by two recalls related to piston and cylinder head failures causing engine damage and oil leaks. These issues suggest a higher likelihood of engine-related failures, impacting overall reliability.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine piston | 0–30,000 miles | $4,000–$8,000 | very common |
| cylinder head | 0–30,000 miles | $3,000–$7,000 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- oil and filter change
- tire rotation and balance
- brake pad inspection
- coolant system check
- transmission fluid change
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- engine knocking noises
- loss of power
- oil leaks
- check engine light on
- excessive exhaust smoke
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2026 Ford Mustang at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.