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2011 Ford Mustang

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mustang years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Ford Mustang are substantially higher than the model-year median of 81.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

338 reports with mileage · 128 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 200 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 125 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports1 fire reports10 injury reports

Steering complaints

25 reports
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68,450 miles · Jul 3, 2014
SteeringCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE INDICATOR CAME ON ALONG WITH THE SERVICE ADVANCE-TRACK INDICATOR AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED COMPLETELY. THIS FORCED ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WITH NO ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR AT ALL. I WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE I COULD NOT CHANGE DIRECTION AT ALL AND ENDED UP HITT…

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WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE INDICATOR CAME ON ALONG WITH THE SERVICE ADVANCE-TRACK INDICATOR AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED COMPLETELY. THIS FORCED ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WITH NO ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR AT ALL. I WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE I COULD NOT CHANGE DIRECTION AT ALL AND ENDED UP HITTING MY HEAD, ELBOW AND KNEES. AFTER CALLING THE FORD DEALER, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A "TSB" ABOUT IT BUT NO RECALL. THE DEALER THEN WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT ALMOST ALL THE FORD VEHICLES HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, EXCEPT THE MUSTANG EVEN THOUGH THEY SEE MORE OF THIS PROBLEM IN MUSTANGS THAN ANY OTHER MODEL. THEY THEN QUOTED ME OVER $3,000 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THIS PROBLEM, IN MY OPINION, COULD'VE KILLED ME AND I'M SHOCKED THAT IT HASN'T COST ANY ELSE THEIR LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10608174

20,000 miles · Oct 14, 2012
SteeringSuspension

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH,, I HAD TO MAKE A CORRECTION AND MOVE BACK INTO MY ORIGINAL LANE DUE TO SOMEONE WANTING TO CHANGE INTO THE SAME LANE AT THE SAME TIME. THE FRONT END SWAYED BACK AND FORTH OUT OF CONTROL. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AT 65 MPH ON 09/14/2012. ON 10/03…

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WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH,, I HAD TO MAKE A CORRECTION AND MOVE BACK INTO MY ORIGINAL LANE DUE TO SOMEONE WANTING TO CHANGE INTO THE SAME LANE AT THE SAME TIME. THE FRONT END SWAYED BACK AND FORTH OUT OF CONTROL. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AT 65 MPH ON 09/14/2012. ON 10/03/2012 I BOUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM. THEY INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM AND SAID THE MUSTANG V6 MODEL HAS A TENDENCY TO DO THIS AND SAID IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT $700 IN PARTS AND LABOR TO POSSIBLY FIX THIS PROBLEM.. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE FORD DISTRICT MANAGER AND HE DISAGREED WITH THE DEALERSHIP SAYING THERE ARE NO HANDLING PROBLEMS WITH THE 2011 MUSTANGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480059

2,000 miles · Apr 20, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN A THUMPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE. THE VEHICLE STEERED TO THE RIGHT DESPITE THE CONTACT HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL IN A STRAIGHT POSITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE PROPERLY AND EMITTED A BAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN A THUMPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE. THE VEHICLE STEERED TO THE RIGHT DESPITE THE CONTACT HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL IN A STRAIGHT POSITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE PROPERLY AND EMITTED A BANGING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE MULTIPLE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,500.

NHTSA ODI #10455840

5,200 miles · Mar 6, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

THE "SERVICE AUTOTRACK" LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A PARKING SPACE IN THE MORNING, AND THE POWER TO THE BACK WHEELS WAS REDUCED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, AND WAS INFORMED OF A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE GPAS SYSTEM THAT COULD CAUSE THE STEERING TO FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE VEHICLE, AS …

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THE "SERVICE AUTOTRACK" LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A PARKING SPACE IN THE MORNING, AND THE POWER TO THE BACK WHEELS WAS REDUCED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, AND WAS INFORMED OF A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE GPAS SYSTEM THAT COULD CAUSE THE STEERING TO FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE VEHICLE, AS IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THIS GPAS SYSTEM DEFECT. FORD IS NOT CURRENTLY MANUFACTURING REPLACEMENT GPAS SYSTEMS, THEY HAVE OUTSOURCED TO AN OUTSIDE COMPANY (PER THE FORD CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE) AND IT IS GOING TO TAKE SIX WEEKS TO GET THE PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450567

1,800 miles · Sep 6, 2011
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD DIRECT THE VEHICLE SHARPLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE STICKING TO THE ROAD WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, RESULTIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD DIRECT THE VEHICLE SHARPLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE STICKING TO THE ROAD WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, RESULTING IN A SHARP CHANGE OF DIRECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,600. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10423948

Official recalls

4

21V081000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Feb 16, 2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Air Bags:frontal

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

19V001000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 7, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.

16V384000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 31, 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

15V319000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

May 28, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2014 Mustang vehicles manufactured April 6, 2004, to June 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 GT vehicles manufactured February 20, 2004, to September 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2016. Even if interim repairs were performed under safety recall 14V-802, owners must bring their vehicles in for the final remedy. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S21. Note: This recall supersedes safety recall 14V-802.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE11024 · Inability To Shift Gears On Acceleration

Opened Aug 3, 2011 · Closed Dec 14, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:manual Transmission

The Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Ford as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.In total, there were 364 unique reports indicating various shift quality issues while driving.Ford identified several factors that may contribute to shift quality concerns in the subject vehicles, including cold transmission, clutch stay-out at high engine speeds, gear clash or grinding, and gradual loosening of clutch plate bolts in some early production vehicles.The largest percentage of complaints indicated higher than expected shift efforts in cold ambient temperatures.These complaints were related to transmission fluid viscosity and the higher shift efforts resolved themselves with the drivetrain warming.Ford published technical service bulletin TSB 11-3-18 to inform technicians that a lower viscosity fluid was available for use to address the cold shift issues.The clutch stay-out condition typically occurs at engine speeds greater than 4000 rpm.It does not prevent the selection of any gear, but may delay clutch re-engagement depending on how long the driver maintains the higher engine speed.Ford identified rotating inertia of the clutch components as the root cause and replacement clutch pedal parts were made available under Ford TSB 10-19-4.A number of reports alleged increasing difficulty selecting gears along with gear clash or grinding.Grinding or notchy gear shifts may be caused by gradual loosening of clutch plate fasteners, which is promoted by certain aggressive shifting.This condition is progressive in nature and initially results in symptoms related to shift quality/feel.Clutch plate bolt loosening will not result in inability to select any gear unless the progressive symptoms are ignored until complete clutch failure occurs.ODI?s analysis identified only five complaints alleging an inability to shift into gear due to loose clutch plate bolts.None of these resulted in a stall and gear shifting could occur before engine start.A revised fastener was designed and implemented in production and is available for service through a special service message.There is no indication of loss of motive power or unreasonable safety risk associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles.This preliminary evaluation is closed.