Ford Mustang Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Ford Mustang model year (1967–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Ford Mustang Years to Avoid
9 recalls · 491 complaints
32 reported injuries
4 reported deaths
Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Problem score: 602
4 recalls · 526 complaints
26 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 590
4 recalls · 381 complaints
32 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 462
Best Ford Mustang Years to Buy
1 recall · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 3
1 recall · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 3
1 recall · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 3
Found the right year? Verify that specific Mustang with a free VIN report.
Ford Mustang — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 6 | — | — | 18 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 3 | 18 | — | — | 27 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 8 | 87 | — | — | 111 | Good |
| 2023 | 1 | 16 | — | — | 19 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 1 | 40 | 4 | — | 51 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 32 | 3 | — | 38 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 1 | 93 | 5 | — | 106 | Good |
| 2019 | 2 | 96 | — | — | 102 | Good |
| 2018 | 2 | 110 | 4 | — | 124 | Good |
| 2017 | 2 | 170 | 2 | — | 180 | Good |
| 2016 | 1 | 254 | 8 | — | 273 | Caution |
| 2015 | 2 | 300 | 20 | — | 346 | Caution |
| 2014 | 2 | 201 | 16 | — | 239 | Caution |
| 2013 | 4 | 155 | 5 | — | 177 | Good |
| 2012 | 4 | 293 | 15 | — | 335 | Caution |
| 2011 | 2 | 297 | 9 | — | 321 | Caution |
| 2010 | 3 | 151 | 7 | 2 | 184 | Good |
| 2009 | 3 | 113 | 6 | — | 134 | Good |
| 2008 | 4 | 195 | 15 | — | 237 | Caution |
| 2007 | 4 | 381 | 32 | 1 | 462 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 4 | 339 | 16 | — | 383 | Caution |
| 2005 | 4 | 526 | 26 | — | 590 | Avoid |
| 2004 | 5 | 76 | 6 | — | 103 | Good |
| 2003 | 5 | 149 | 8 | — | 180 | Good |
| 2002 | 6 | 114 | 9 | — | 150 | Good |
| 2001 | 6 | 152 | 23 | 6 | 246 | Caution |
| 2000 | 7 | 261 | 23 | 2 | 338 | Caution |
| 1999 | 7 | 161 | 20 | — | 222 | Caution |
| 1998 | 9 | 188 | 24 | 1 | 268 | Caution |
| 1997 | 8 | 126 | 8 | 1 | 171 | Good |
| 1996 | 9 | 176 | 14 | — | 231 | Caution |
| 1995 | 9 | 491 | 32 | 4 | 602 | Avoid |
| 1994 | 9 | 295 | 17 | 1 | 361 | Caution |
| 1993 | 4 | 82 | 9 | 2 | 122 | Good |
| 1992 | 4 | 43 | 8 | — | 71 | Good |
| 1991 | 6 | 44 | 2 | — | 66 | Good |
| 1990 | 4 | 56 | 3 | — | 74 | Good |
| 1989 | 5 | 61 | 11 | — | 98 | Good |
| 1988 | 4 | 65 | 1 | — | 79 | Good |
| 1987 | 5 | 22 | — | — | 37 | Excellent |
| 1986 | 1 | 14 | 1 | — | 19 | Excellent |
| 1985 | 2 | 6 | — | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 1984 | 3 | 20 | — | — | 29 | Excellent |
| 1983 | 0 | 3 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 1982 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 1981 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 1980 | 0 | 5 | — | — | 5 | Excellent |
| 1979 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 1978 | 2 | 9 | — | — | 15 | Excellent |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 1976 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 10 | Excellent |
| 1975 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 1974 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 1972 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 1971 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 1970 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 1969 | 4 | 2 | — | 2 | 24 | Excellent |
| 1968 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | Excellent |
| 1967 | 5 | 3 | — | — | 18 | Excellent |
All 60 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Ford Mustang Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Mustang models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 18 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2013Mid-decade Mustang units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2013 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Mustang models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Mustang should I avoid?+
Avoid the 1995 Ford Mustang if possible. It has 9 recalls, 491 owner complaints, and 4 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 602 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Mustang to buy?+
The 1970 Ford Mustang is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 3. It has only 1 recall and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Mustang has the fewest problems?+
The 1970, 1972, 1973 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Ford Mustang Research
Check a Specific Ford Mustang VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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