Research · Subcompact Cars · 3 NHTSA variants

2023 Ford MustangRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints for the 2023 Ford Mustang. Most complaints involve electrical system (5) and steering (5). The EPA rates it 18–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
18–25mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Oct 2025
Owner complaints
15
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: body control module

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Mustang vehicles repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V727. The brake fluid level sensor may not activate the visual warning indicator when the brake fluid is low. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Electrical systemReported Oct 10, 2025NHTSA 25V689000

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

Back over preventionReported Jun 27, 2025NHTSA 25V442000

Steering: electric power assist system

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Ford Mustang vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-493. The secondary steering torque sensor may not be calibrated properly, which can cause the steering wheel to turn side to side against the driver's intentions.

SteeringReported Feb 14, 2025NHTSA 25V096000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

15 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2023 – Mar 2026
  1. Electrical system5
  2. Steering5
  3. Service brakes4
  4. Forward collision avoidance2
  5. Engine2
  6. Fuel/propulsion system2
  7. Visibility/wiper1
  8. Power train1
  9. Lane departure1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Mustang model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996304
1997230
1998320
1999297
2000446
2001280
2002209
2003271
2004130
2005868
2006575
2007615
2008347
2009181
2010261
2011466
2012469
2013271
2014359
2015439
2016380
2017268
2018196
2019152
2020122
202155
202250
202315
202485
202520
20268
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

5 reports2 crashes
“As i proceeded to get over on a highway with cars speeding, my car would not allow me to move over because it would not accerlate to be safe and my car slowed down as if there was no power as I had to get to the side of the highway to avoid getting hit as cars were traveling at a high rate of speed. My car then stopped and I was forced to move into the grass to avoid getting hit and causing a wreck. The speed limit was 80 mph and I was traveling at 72 mph. As I try to increase my speed but the car seemed it did not have enough power. The next day I called to report it and take it to the shop, I was informed to not drive the car for my safety. The diagnosis was that one of the fuel lines stopped working and the control module was a recall. My niece and myself was put in danger as well as the emotional fear to drive the car. This occured on June on June the 20th and the car was picked up on June the 24th. It was a recall issue. I was told by Ford Corporation that because it was fixed and I was safe then the matter was closed. Next incident, I reported that my lights and radio keep going off and then dimmed. I was driving, and had no lights at certain times at…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2024Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11613286

Steering

5 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2023 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V493000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was shaking abnormally. The local dealer was contacted; however, no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2024SteeringODI 11614044

Service brakes

4 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2023 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH and making a left turn the collision avoidance system erroneously light activated although no other vehicles or structures were nearby and the braking system suddenly malfunctioned causing the brake pedal to extend to the floor while pressed causing the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a wall barrier. During the crash, no injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was eventually towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V727000(Electrical System). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 14,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2024Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11579652
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

12 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl turbo · 5.0L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 10-spd · Automatic (S10) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Mustang
Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
223225$2,550350
Mustang
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
213124$2,700363
Mustang
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
212924$2,700371
Mustang Convertible
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
202823$2,800389
Mustang Convertible
Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
202823$2,800386
Mustang Convertible
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800387
Mustang HO Coupe
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800387
Mustang HO Convertible
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
192622$2,900404
Mustang HO Convertible
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050423
Mustang
Auto (S10), 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152419$3,400480
Mustang
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152418$3,550498
Mustang Convertible
Auto (S10), 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152318$3,550497
  • Mustang
    Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Mustang
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    21 city · 31 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Mustang
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Mustang Convertible
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Mustang Convertible
    Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Mustang Convertible
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Mustang HO Coupe
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Mustang HO Convertible
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Mustang HO Convertible
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Mustang
    Auto (S10), 8 cyl, 5.0 L
    15 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Mustang
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L
    15 city · 24 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Mustang Convertible
    Auto (S10), 8 cyl, 5.0 L
    15 city · 23 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford Mustang Coupe 2 DR RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.3%
Overall
— / 5
Ford Mustang Convertible C RWD
Frontal crash
Not rated
Side crash
Not rated
Side pole
Not rated
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
8.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 17327Vehicle 17328
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2023 Mustang questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Ford Mustang have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2023 Ford Mustang problems?

Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (5), steering (5), service brakes (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2023 Ford Mustang get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Ford Mustang at 18–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

How safe is the 2023 Ford Mustang?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Ford Mustang 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026