2011 Ford Mustang

Do not drive

Owners filed 466 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

338 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles; the median is 22,035 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags123
8013
Power Train › Manual Transmission94
000
Power Train86
100
Engine30
000
Vehicle Speed Control23
201
Steering19
301
Electrical System15
100
Fuel/Propulsion System12
000
Unknown or Other11
110
Electronic Stability Control (esc)11
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module21E013000
Filed Feb 16, 2021249 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module21V081000
Filed Feb 16, 20211,067 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module19V001000Do not drive
Filed Jan 7, 2019782,384 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module16V384000Do not drive
Filed May 31, 20161,892,343 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in 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, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in 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." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. 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. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module15V319000Do not drive
Filed May 28, 20151,018,622 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2014 Mustang vehicles manufactured April 6, 2004, to June 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 GT vehicles manufactured February 20, 2004, to September 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2016. Even if interim repairs were performed under safety recall 14V-802, owners must bring their vehicles in for the final remedy. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S21. Note: This recall supersedes safety recall 14V-802.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed May 16, 2026NC

This is a common issue with these S197 Mustangs. The steering position sensor failed. While driving, this can cause the "Service Advancetrac" warning to come on, meanwhile the wheels spin at different speeds as the car attempts to correct a low traction scenario that isn't happening, causing the driver to crash. This caused me to temporarily lose control of my vehicle. Luckily I didn't hit anything. The sensor itself can be replaced for $20-$40, but Ford has sealed it inside the EPAS system, making it non-servicable and escalating the repair cost to over $1300.

Steering
Filed Jan 15, 2026AZ

Steering angle sensor has malfunctioned, sometimes when i turn the traction and stability control completely turns off, abs randomly activates while im driving.

Power Train
Filed Aug 6, 202548,000 milesAK

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission, on occasion, did not shift into second and third gear. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed clutch pad. The contact was informed that the clutch pad needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and did not assist. The contact was informed to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Jun 25, 2025298,000 milesFL

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while attempting to service the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 174,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 298,000.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 29, 2023123,000 milesNC

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the front driver’s side seat air bag deployed upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 29, 2023PA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The message "Service Auto Advancetrac" was displayed. The contact stated that she continued to depress the brake pedal until the vehicle responded. The contact stated that there was a significant stopping distance delay. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring more frequently while driving, and the vehicle was sliding while stopping, nearly causing a crash. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Service Brakes, Air › Antilock › Abs Warning Light
Filed Oct 20, 2023164,877 milesNC

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle was slow to respond. The contact stated that she noticed that an unknown fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The traction control, oil, and brake warning lights were illuminated. The check brake fluid and check oil messages were displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 164,877.

Wheels
Filed Sep 12, 2023SC

MIKE RICKENBACK Ford dealership service shop declined me a tire rotation because they assessed my OEM lug nuts to be swollen and in need of replacement. Unbeknownst to me this is a well documented safety hazard.

Service Brakes
Filed May 15, 2023FL

I have a beautiful 2011 Ford Mustang that has been rendered useless because the brake lights and turn signals continually blow a fuse. The car cannot be repaired because Ford quit making the needed part after the car was 8 years old. This not only creates an unnecessary expense of purchasing a new car it is also a safety hazard. After extensively searching for the part on the internet I found many cases of people needing that part with no luck finding it. As info the part number is AR3Z13C788F. How many people will be driving around without brake lights and turn signals because Ford decided brake lights aren't necessary after a car is 8 years old.

Engine
Filed Oct 7, 2022125,000 milesAZ

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Steering
Filed Sep 30, 202293,000 milesGA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at speeds above 55 MPH, the front end of the vehicle would violently shake and vibrate. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who replaced the brake pads and brake calipers however, the failure persisted. The mechanic later informed the contact that the steering box was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 93,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 29, 2022MI

Leaking fumes from plastic fuel tank. Micro cracks on top and seam. Had to replace the fuel tank and the sender and fuel pump inserts because of cracks.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 8, 202290,000 milesIN

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle was hard shifting with a delay while shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic stated that there was no failure found and that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Power Train
Filed Jul 11, 202268,000 milesAZ

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked the contact wife who was in the passenger heard a loud noise coming from the vehicle, when she noticed that the vehicle had shifted into driver and was rolling frontwards crashing into a boulder cause the vehicle to stop completely. No one was injured, a police report was filed. The dealer was contacted, and they stated there was nothing they could. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 68,000. VIN was not available.

Power Train
Filed Feb 24, 202258,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power and hesitated to accelerate. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: AS-21687 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 5, 2021SC

Ford knew that the transmission was going bad on these Mustangs. When I attempt to accelerate my car does not move. Imagine this happening in traffic and me being killed

Electrical System
Filed Jan 12, 202195,000 milesNC

ELECTRIC SEAT WON'T MOVE. HAVE READ COUNTLESS OTHERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM ONLINE. THE ISSUE IS A FACTORY DEFECT. MAGNETS INSIDE ELECTRIC MOTOR OF POWER SEATS ARE PUT IN PLACE WITH GLUE THAT COMES UNDONE EASILY INSIDE MOTOR CAUSING IT TO BE UNABLE TO MOVE. DEALERSHIPS AND SHOPS COST TO REPLACE IS INSANE, NEVER BELOW $1000. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS I MOVED MY SEAT FAR BACK WHILE RELAXING BEFORE WORK AND WHEN I GOT OFF LATER THE SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS IMMEDIATELY.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 10, 202053,434 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 FORD MUSTANG (WITH A V6 ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AT 40MPH ON A LOCAL STREET, I EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY LOSING POWER AND A FAULT LIGHT IN THE FORM OF A WRENCH APPEARING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ENGINE SPEED DROPPED DOWN TO IDLE AND DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY GAS PEDAL OPERATION. THE CARS ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING, HOWEVER, THE ENGINE RAN ROUGHLY AS EVIDENCE OF IT SHAKING THE ENTIRE CAR. THE INCIDENT PLACED MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME IN DANGER, AS I HAD TO MOVE QUICKLY TO GET MY VEHICLE OUT OF THE MOVING TRAFFIC AND INTO A SAFE PLACE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 27, 202085,000 milesOH

THE LAST TWO MUSTANGS I PURCHASED (BOTH WERE NEW CARS) DEVELOPED ELECTRICAL ISSUES AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. MY CURRENT 2011 MUSTANG HAS HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITHIN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. IN ADDITION TO THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES, THE HOOD DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE PAINT SUCH AS BUBBLING, PEELING AND RUSTING. MY FRUSTRATION WITH FORD GROWS MORE INTENSE EACH TIME THE AIR-CONDITIONER, ALONG WITH NUMEROUS OTHER DEVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DASHBOARD, QUITS OPERATING AND THE WINDOWS WILL NOT FUNCTION. I OFTEN FIND MYSELF ENCOUNTERING THIS ISSUE ON A NINETY PLUS DEGREE DAY. THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE CAN OCCUR WHEN MOVING OR AT A COMPLETE STOP. THERE IS NO PATTERN TO WHEN IT HAPPENS, OR WHICH ELECTRICAL ITEMS WILL QUIT FUNCTIONING. IT DOES HAPPEN MORE OFTEN WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES AND THE AIR-CONDITIONER IS IN USE. HOWEVER, IT ALSO OCCURS WHEN THE AIR-CONDITIONER IS NOT IN USE.

Engine
Filed Aug 3, 202090,000 milesNV

VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN ONE YEAR SINCE IT BROKE DOWN LAST AND NOW I HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM. THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAS FAILED AND LEAD TO SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN FAILURE BROKEN ROCKER ARM AND MAYBE DAMAGE TO THE PISTON IT HAS BEEN PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED I WAS DRIVING THROUGH AND INTERSECTION AND MY CAR STALLED LUCKILY IT STARTED ONCE MORE JUST LONG ENOUGH TO GET IT OFF THE BUSY ROAD. THERE WAS BOLTS ON THE VALVE COVER THAT'S WEREN'T EVEN DRILLED THROUGH THE PLASTIC VALVE COVER. THERE IS NO REASON A FAIRLY NEW MOTOR SHOULD HAVE MALFUNCTIONED LIKE THIS.

20 of 466 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20266500Routine
202517600Routine
2024771200Do not drive
202315600Routine
202249910Routine
202155600Routine
2020120850Routine
2019148610Routine
2018191410Routine
2017265680Above average
2016376562Fatalities reported
20154361170Above average
2014359410Do not drive
2013271620Do not drive
2012469721Do not drive
2011 — this page466510Do not drive
2010261622Do not drive
2009181620Do not drive
2008347800Do not drive
2007615951Do not drive
2006424932Do not drive
2005705970Do not drive
2004116600Routine
2003145640Routine
2002118660Routine
2001173822Fatalities reported
2000311992Fatalities reported
19992131022Fatalities reported
199823614121Fatalities reported
19971761132Fatalities reported
19962461260Above average
199560216297Fatalities reported
199435613191Fatalities reported
19931017292Fatalities reported
1992695210High concern
1991776220High concern
1990855290High concern

Compare every Mustang year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 16, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.