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
8 recalls · 70 complaints
19 reported injuries
2 reported deaths
Top issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Problem score: 142
6 recalls · 56 complaints
8 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Problem score: 90
4 recalls · 25 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Problem score: 41
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 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 9 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 15 | Good |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 7 | 0 | — | — | 21 | Good |
| 2021 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 15 | Good |
| 2016 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 9 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 15 | Good |
| 2014 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 9 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 18 | Good |
| 2007 | 7 | 0 | — | — | 21 | Good |
| 2006 | 7 | 0 | — | — | 21 | Good |
| 2005 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 18 | Good |
| 2004 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 2003 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 2002 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 9 | Excellent |
| 2001 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 2000 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 18 | Good |
| 1999 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 18 | Good |
| 1998 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 15 | Good |
| 1997 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 1996 | 5 | 8 | 1 | — | 25 | Good |
| 1995 | 8 | 70 | 19 | 2 | 142 | Avoid |
| 1994 | 6 | 56 | 8 | — | 90 | Caution |
| 1993 | 4 | 25 | 2 | — | 41 | Good |
| 1992 | 4 | 14 | 2 | — | 30 | Good |
| 1991 | 5 | 15 | — | — | 30 | Good |
| 1990 | 4 | 13 | — | — | 25 | Good |
| 1989 | 4 | 14 | 4 | — | 34 | Good |
| 1988 | 4 | 16 | — | — | 28 | Good |
| 1987 | 4 | 6 | — | — | 18 | Good |
| 1986 | 1 | 5 | — | — | 8 | Excellent |
| 1985 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 9 | Excellent |
| 1984 | 2 | 4 | — | — | 10 | Excellent |
| 1983 | 0 | 3 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 1982 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 1980 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | Excellent |
| 1979 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 1978 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 9 | Excellent |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 1976 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 7 | Excellent |
| 1975 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 1974 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 1972 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 1971 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 1970 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 1969 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 1968 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 1967 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 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: 2018Recent Mustang models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2018 stands out with just 6 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2014Mid-decade Mustang units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2014 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 8 recalls, 70 owner complaints, and 2 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 142 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Mustang to buy?+
The 1972 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 1972, 1973, 1981 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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