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
13 recalls · 491 complaints
32 reported injuries
4 reported deaths
Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Problem score: 614
8 recalls · 526 complaints
26 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 602
7 recalls · 380 complaints
30 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 461
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 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 3 | 8 | — | — | 17 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 7 | 56 | — | — | 77 | Good |
| 2023 | 6 | 13 | — | — | 31 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 8 | 36 | 4 | — | 68 | Good |
| 2021 | 5 | 29 | 3 | — | 50 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 8 | 75 | 5 | — | 109 | Good |
| 2019 | 5 | 80 | — | — | 95 | Good |
| 2018 | 3 | 95 | 4 | — | 112 | Good |
| 2017 | 5 | 157 | 2 | — | 176 | Good |
| 2016 | 4 | 244 | 8 | — | 272 | Caution |
| 2015 | 8 | 292 | 20 | — | 356 | Caution |
| 2014 | 1 | 198 | 14 | — | 229 | Caution |
| 2013 | 1 | 154 | 5 | — | 167 | Good |
| 2012 | 4 | 293 | 15 | — | 335 | Caution |
| 2011 | 2 | 297 | 9 | — | 321 | Caution |
| 2010 | 2 | 151 | 7 | 2 | 181 | Good |
| 2009 | 3 | 113 | 6 | — | 134 | Good |
| 2008 | 6 | 193 | 13 | — | 237 | Caution |
| 2007 | 7 | 380 | 30 | — | 461 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 8 | 338 | 16 | — | 394 | Caution |
| 2005 | 8 | 526 | 26 | — | 602 | Avoid |
| 2004 | 6 | 73 | 6 | — | 103 | Good |
| 2003 | 6 | 145 | 8 | — | 179 | Good |
| 2002 | 6 | 114 | 9 | — | 150 | Good |
| 2001 | 7 | 152 | 23 | 6 | 249 | Caution |
| 2000 | 9 | 261 | 23 | 2 | 344 | Caution |
| 1999 | 9 | 161 | 20 | — | 228 | Caution |
| 1998 | 12 | 188 | 24 | 1 | 277 | Caution |
| 1997 | 10 | 126 | 8 | 1 | 177 | Good |
| 1996 | 11 | 176 | 14 | — | 237 | Caution |
| 1995 | 13 | 491 | 32 | 4 | 614 | Avoid |
| 1994 | 12 | 295 | 17 | 1 | 370 | Caution |
| 1993 | 5 | 82 | 9 | 2 | 125 | Good |
| 1992 | 4 | 43 | 8 | — | 71 | Good |
| 1991 | 5 | 44 | 2 | — | 63 | Good |
| 1990 | 4 | 56 | 3 | — | 74 | Good |
| 1989 | 4 | 61 | 11 | — | 95 | 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 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 1978 | 3 | 9 | — | — | 18 | Excellent |
| 1977 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 9 | 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 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 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 3 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 13 recalls, 491 owner complaints, and 4 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 614 — 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, 1971, 1972 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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