Reliable Auto DB

2020 Ford Mustang reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2020 Ford Mustang has 120 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 10 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Mustang years here — under the median of the other years, which is 18. NHTSA has 8 recalls on file, including Camera, Back-over prevention, software, and Body control module.

2018 Ford Mustang GT coupe
Photo by Vauxford, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

120

Per year

10

Recalls

8

Years on the road

7

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (25 of 120), then Engine (25) and Powertrain (25). Complaints that include an odometer have a median of 24,000 miles, and the middle half falls between 7,055 and 59,750 miles. Those filings include 13 that report a crash, 5 that report a fire, and 7 that report an injury.

Next to 2019 and 2021

The 2019 Mustang has 148 complaints, 12 per year, and the 2021 has 55 complaints, 7 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2020 Ford Mustang. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (8)

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2025-10-13 · NHTSA campaign 25V695000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Remedy Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
Vehicles affected 1,448,655
Recall back-over prevention, software 2025-06-27 · NHTSA campaign 25V442000
Summary 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.
Remedy Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Vehicles affected 200,237
Recall electrical system, body control module 2023-10-27 · NHTSA campaign 23V727000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Mustang vehicles. 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."
Remedy Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C35.
Vehicles affected 187,922
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, transmission control module 2022-05-27 · NHTSA campaign 22V382000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may broadcast an unintended faulted signal to the modules controlling the reverse camera, reverse light, and driver assist features, which may disable all of these functions.
Remedy Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 15, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S37.
Vehicles affected 25,032
Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2020-09-23 · NHTSA campaign 20V575000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
Vehicles affected 620,246
Recall hydraulic brakes, pedals and linkages 2020-09-23 · NHTSA campaign 20V573000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The brake pedal bracket may fracture during sudden stopping.
Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal bracket assembly, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S52.
Vehicles affected 38,005
Recall forward collision avoidance, sensing system, camera 2020-05-27 · NHTSA campaign 20V306000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped a forward-looking camera. The camera may be misaligned to the vehicle and features that are dependent on the camera such as Pre-Collision Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping System, Driver Alert, and Auto High Beam Control may not function as intended.
Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will perform the Lane Departure Warning System camera alignment procedure, free of charge. This recall began June 17, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S26.
Vehicles affected 24
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, gear position indicator 2020-05-08 · NHTSA campaign 20V263000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles. The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.
Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S21.
Vehicles affected 10,460

NHTSA's count is every vehicle in that campaign. A campaign can cover other model years and other models.

Complaints by component (120 total)

Electrical system
25
Engine
25
Powertrain
25
Service brakes
15
Back-over prevention
12
Air bags
8
Fuel and propulsion system
7
Structure
6
Forward collision avoidance
4
Hydraulic brakes
4
Speed control
4
Visibility
4
Engine and engine cooling
3
Seat belts
3
Exterior lighting
2
Seats
2
Steering
2
Wheels
2
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Suspension
1
Tires
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 15 more Show less
Crash-flagged

13

Fire-flagged

5

Injury reports

7

Death reports

0

Of the 38 complaints that include an odometer reading, the median is 24,000 miles. The middle half fall between 7,055 and 59,750 miles.

Complaints filed per year

11202010202182022172023202024332025212026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Ford has several technical service bulletins on their 10 speed transmission. I have 28,000 miles on my vehicle and need a new transmission. My service manager says that the earlier 10 speeds have issues with some…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-15
  • "Vehicle has 396 miles on the odometer. While preparing to back up, with the engine idling , the engine shut off without warning and I had no control of the steering and would not restart when I attempted to do so. This…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-10
  • "2020 Ford Mustang with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle has a documented history of coolant loss with no visible external leak, consistent with the known coolant-intrusion defect in Ford's 2.3L EcoBoost engines…"
    Powertrain, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-08-20
  • "I suspect an electrical problem/short is causing my passenger side window to open and close about half an inch uncontrollably. This has been a minor inconvenience but last time it happened, it triggered the passenger…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-08-10
  • "The 10-speed automatic transmission on my 2020 Mustang failed internally at approximately 18,073 miles. The vehicle began shifting harshly at low speeds with an intermittent clunk. While driving, the transmission would…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-08-03

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2020 Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2020 Ford Mustang C RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 5 stars
2020 Ford Mustang GT350R 2 DR RWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Mustang 5L, 8-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Rear-wheel drive 16 25 19 MPG $3400
Mustang 2.3L, 4-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Rear-wheel drive 21 32 25 MPG $2600
Mustang 5L, 8-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 15 24 18 MPG $3600
Mustang 2.3L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 21 30 24 MPG $2700
Mustang Bullitt 5L, 8-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 14 23 17 MPG $3800
Mustang convertible 2.3L, 4-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Rear-wheel drive 20 28 23 MPG $2800
Mustang convertible 5L, 8-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Rear-wheel drive 15 24 18 MPG $3600
Mustang convertible 2.3L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 20 28 23 MPG $2800
Mustang HO convertible 2.3L, 4-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Rear-wheel drive 20 27 23 MPG $2800
Mustang HO convertible 2.3L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 19 26 22 MPG $2950
Mustang HO Coupe 2.3L, 4-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Rear-wheel drive 20 28 23 MPG $2800
Mustang HO Coupe 2.3L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 20 27 23 MPG $2800

Specs and fitment

6th generation (S550), 2015–2023
Body styles Coupe, Convertible
Oil 5W-20 (3.7L V6/5.0L GT); 5W-30 (2.3L EcoBoost); 5W-50 (GT350/GT350R/GT500) , 6 qt capacity
Tire size 235/55R17 (EcoBoost/V6 base) to 305/30ZR20 (Shelby GT500) front / 235/55R17 (EcoBoost/V6 base) to 315/30ZR20 (Shelby GT500) rear
Towing capacity 1,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA recall 22V-082 (Ford campaign 22S06) covers 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant between February 2014 and October 2017 for damage to the luggage-compartment-lid wiring harness in the area of the right-side hinge, causing intermittent rear-view-camera operation, loss of satellite-radio reception, an inoperative trunk lamp, or a trunk release that fails to work; some early 2015-model cars also had an internal camera circuit-board conductivity issue contributing to the same symptoms. Separately, NHTSA recall 16V-779 (Ford campaign 16S40) covered 2015-2017 Shelby GT350 and GT350R models specifically for an engine oil cooler tube assembly with insufficiently crimped hoses that could separate and leak oil, risking engine damage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire.

Compare

Previous year 2019 Ford Mustang Next year 2021 Ford Mustang See every Ford Mustang model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Ford Mustang reliable?

The 2020 Ford Mustang has 120 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 10 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Mustang years here — under the median of the other years, which is 18. NHTSA has 8 recalls on file, including Camera, Back-over prevention, software, and Body control module.

What are common problems with a 2020 Ford Mustang?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (25 of 120), then Engine (25) and Powertrain (25). Complaints that include an odometer have a median of 24,000 miles, and the middle half falls between 7,055 and 59,750 miles. Those filings include 13 that report a crash, 5 that report a fire, and 7 that report an injury.

Is the 2020 Ford Mustang more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 Mustang has 148 complaints, 12 per year, and the 2021 has 55 complaints, 7 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

Has the 2020 Ford Mustang been recalled?

The 2020 Ford Mustang has 8 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Ford Mustang?

Owners have filed 120 complaints about the 2020 Ford Mustang with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2020 Ford Mustang get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 Ford Mustang is 21.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

Does the Ford Mustang have a towing capacity?

Ford's RV & Trailer Towing Guide rates the 2015-2023 (S550) Mustang at 1,000 lbs with an aftermarket hitch, and does not rate the GT350/GT350R to tow at all. Ford publishes no towing rating for the 2010-2014 or 2024-present Mustang.

What generation is my Ford Mustang?

2010-2014 is the facelifted S197 (5th generation), 2015-2023 is the S550 (6th generation, first with independent rear suspension), and 2024-present is the S650 (7th generation).