Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Ford Mustang problems
Owners filed 466 complaints about the 2011 Ford Mustang with NHTSA between Nov 2010 and May 2026. The most-cited component is power train (200).
Complaints
466
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
20
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
17
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train200
- Air bags125
- Engine48
- Vehicle speed control39
- Steering25
- Electrical system24
- Fuel/propulsion system23
- Electronic stability control (esc)14
- Structure10
- Service brakes8
- Seats8
- Engine and engine cooling7
- Service brakes, hydraulic6
- Traction control system4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
145
28
14
46
49
64
53
29
10
8
2
6
5
0
2
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 145 |
| 2012 | 28 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 46 |
| 2015 | 49 |
| 2016 | 64 |
| 2017 | 53 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
200 reports1 crash
“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.”
Air bags
125 reports9 crashes5 related recalls
“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.”
Engine
48 reports
“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.”
Vehicle speed control
39 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Steering
25 reports3 crashes
“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.”
Electrical system
24 reports1 crash
“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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.