FaultScore

BMW 540I vs Ford Mustang GT

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure BMW 540I Ford Mustang GT
Complaints on file 340 836
Model years covered 1994–2025 1996–2006
Worst model year 2018 2006
Best model year 1994 1996
Crashes reported 26 74
Fires reported 7 13
Injuries reported 14 53
Deaths reported 0 4
Most complained-about part Engine & Cooling Engine & Cooling
Share of complaints involving harm 13.8% 17.2%

BMW 540I by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 70 20.6%
Airbags 49 14.4%
Transmission & Drivetrain 23 6.8%
Brakes 21 6.2%
Steering 17 5.0%
Seats 17 5.0%
Seat Belts 16 4.7%

Ford Mustang GT by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks