FaultScore

Ford Mustang airbag problems

2,403 of the 11,737 complaints filed about the Ford Mustang are about the airbag system — 20% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2007.

2,403

Complaints

20%

Share of all complaints

374

Crashes

12

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

1990 Mustang 9 0.4%
1991 Mustang 7 0.3%

Median failure at 136,000 miles

1992 Mustang 8 0.3%

Median failure at 99,920 miles

1993 Mustang 16 0.7%
1994 Mustang 40 1.7%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

1995 Mustang 28 1.2%

Median failure at 108,000 miles

1996 Mustang 21 0.9%

Median failure at 62,123 miles

1997 Mustang 6 0.2%
1998 Mustang 15 0.6%

Median failure at 111,500 miles

1999 Mustang 32 1.3%

Median failure at 87,500 miles

2000 Mustang 42 1.7%

Median failure at 53,500 miles

2001 Mustang 26 1.1%

Median failure at 54,000 miles

2002 Mustang 20 0.8%

Median failure at 35,600 miles

2003 Mustang 11 0.5%

Median failure at 48,000 miles

2004 Mustang 9 0.4%

Median failure at 36,000 miles

2005 Mustang 236 9.8%

Median failure at 58,000 miles

2006 Mustang 228 9.5%

Median failure at 70,967 miles

2007 Mustang 348 14.5%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

2008 Mustang 242 10.1%

Median failure at 39,500 miles

2009 Mustang 136 5.7%

Median failure at 44,500 miles

2010 Mustang 180 7.5%

Median failure at 42,500 miles

2011 Mustang 125 5.2%

Median failure at 58,000 miles

2012 Mustang 158 6.6%

Median failure at 38,922 miles

2013 Mustang 145 6.0%

Median failure at 25,000 miles

2014 Mustang 247 10.3%

Median failure at 24,353 miles

2015 Mustang 23 1.0%

Median failure at 35,100 miles

2016 Mustang 15 0.6%

Median failure at 17,100 miles

2017 Mustang 10 0.4%

Median failure at 17,500 miles

2018 Mustang 2 0.1%

Median failure at 35,500 miles

2019 Mustang 1 0.0%
2020 Mustang 8 0.3%

Median failure at 28,000 miles

2021 Mustang 2 0.1%

Median failure at 5,000 miles

2022 Mustang 1 0.0%
2023 Mustang 1 0.0%

Median failure at 15,000 miles

2024 Mustang 5 0.2%

Median failure at 6,100 miles

What owners said

2014 Ford Mustang Vancleave, MS

AIR BAGS

I am reporting a safety hazard and a failure by Ford Motor Company to properly remedy the mandatory Takata Airbag Recall. Following the recall repair, a technician reassembly error left the airbag warning light permanently illuminated, meaning my Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is completely disabled and will not deploy in a crash. I took the vehicle to Astro Ford in Mississippi for resolution. The Service Manager, Hunter Landry, attempted to reset the system three times and confirmed a permanent safety fault exists in the exact recall area. However, Ford’s proprietary dealership software is actively blocking the dealer from pulling the diagnostic codes or proceeding with the repair without a corporate override code. Ford Corporate customer service agents have repeatedly refused to route this request or issue the override code to the dealer, effectively blocking the repair of a failed federal safety recall component. The dealer requires a corporate email sent to hunter.landry@astroford.com to authorize the diagnostic waiver and bypass the software block. Ford's corporate refusal forces me to drive an unsafe vehicle with no working airbags. Desired Resolution: I request that the NHTSA compel Ford Motor Company to immediately issue the corporate diagnostic override code to Hunter Landry at Astro Ford so this defective federal safety recall can be properly diagnosed and repaired at no cost to me.

NHTSA complaint #11754796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Ford Mustang Sarasota, FL 1 injured

AIR BAGS

Driving approximately 20 mph, on a smooth road, in a retirement community, the drivers seat airbag explosively inflated without warning. The seatbelts are locked and unusable, the seat bolster is shredded, the driver door panel is disconnected as is the exterior rocker cover. I am afraid to drive the car in fear of the other air bags exploding while driving.

NHTSA complaint #11737021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Ford Mustang Dayton, OH

AIR BAGS

My husband was notified via the Ford app that there was an issue with his airbag system. He called the dealership and set up an appointment. We brought in the car to German Ford dealership in Beavercreek on 4 May, where they confirmed that the airbag was bad and needed to be replaced. They confirmed it was the airbag on the drivers side knee. The airbag light did come on, but we were under the impression airbags usually last the lifetime of the vehicle. Thankfully the car warranty covered the replacement, and we just had to pay the deductible. However, had my husband been in a crash that airbag would not have deployed, there is also the chance that the airbag could have deployed randomly while he was driving, which would have caused a potentially fatal crash.

NHTSA complaint #11736144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Ford Mustang Kuwait City, TX

AIR BAGS

I am the owner of a 2012 Ford Mustang GT currently located in Kuwait. My vehicle has an open Takata airbag safety recall, which is a life-threatening defect. I contacted the authorized Ford dealer in Kuwait and Ford Middle East, but both refused to perform the recall repair, stating that the vehicle is a “gray market import” and not eligible. They also attempted to condition the repair on paid service, which is unrelated to safety recalls. Additionally, the authorized dealer informed me that my vehicle has a total of four open recalls, not just the Takata airbag recall. Despite this, they still refused to perform any of the recall repairs due to the vehicle being a “gray market import.” This refusal leaves me driving an unsafe vehicle with no official repair solution. Safety recalls should not be denied based on geographic location, as they are a manufacturer responsibility tied to the vehicle. I am requesting investigation into this issue.

NHTSA complaint #11734459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Ford Mustang Sewell, NJ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

My son was driving to school. He was not speeding or any type of reckless driving. He hit an ice patch. His car spun and flew thru the air. The airbag compartment opened but it was defective. All metal shards came flying out of it causing multiple lacerations. He also lost consciousness from the impact and I was told by hospital ER doctor the airbag was defective and he was suffering from a very serious concussion.

NHTSA complaint #11729852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford Mustang Petaluma, CA

AIR BAGS

From all the research I have done on my vehicle, it has the Takata airbag inflators that uses phase‑stabilized ammonium nitrate without a desiccant which should have been in the Nationwide Ford vehicle recall. I am the original owner of my 2003 Mustang Mach 1 and it has never had the airbags replaced and I have never received a recall notice. I had Ford run an OASIS report on my VIN and they tell me there is no recall for my car. I told them the reports don't show data past 15 years. After all these years I thought I was safe because my car never showed it had the Takata recall, so I didn't think mine had them. Now after watching a YouTube documentary and doing research, I am now afraid to drive my car. What can be done about this?

NHTSA complaint #11713803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Ford Mustang Grosse Pointe Woods, MI Crash

AIR BAGS

Subject: Request for Investigation - Fraudulent and Falsified Vehicle Records (Crest Ford & Roy O'Brien Ford, Possible Involvement of Bell Ford) Dear Attorney General, I am submitting this complaint to formally request an investigation into fraud committed by Roy O'Brien, an automobile dealership located in Michigan. On [XXX], 1 purchased a 2024 dark horse mustang #R8911 from Roy O'Brien under the representation that the vehicle was brand new, undamaged, and met all safety standards. After the sale, I obtained evidence that the vehicle had, in fact, been in an accident during transport and subsequently altered and resold without disclosure. This constitutes misrepresentation and consumer fraud under Michigan law. Specifically: • The dealership and its employees knowingly concealed the accident and subsequent alterations. • The vehicle was sold as "factory new," despite being materially compromised in safety and integrity. • I paid full market value under false pretenses, believing the vehicle to be undamaged and original. I have retained documentation, communications, and repair evidence that substantiate this fraud, including proof that dealership personnel were aware of the accident. I am prepared to provide all supporting records for your review. This misconduct not only caused me financial harm but also created a serious public safety risk, as the vehicle does not meet proper safety standards. I respectfully request that your office investigate this matter for potential violations of Michigan's Consumer Protection Act and any applicable fraud statutes. Please advise me on next steps and whether additional information is required. I am willing to fully cooperate with your investigation. 1. The vehicle had been in an accident during transport prior to sale. 2. Crest Ford appears to have falsely documented services that were never performed, in an effort to disguise the vehicle's accident history and damage. 3. These falsified service records were used to conspire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM O

NHTSA complaint #11686178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Ford Mustang Dallas, TX Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

In a hit-and-run accident, we were hit head on and the airbags did not deploy yet the car is a total loss. No side or front airbags deployed. Myself and my passenger needed medical care, my passenger specifically had hit the windshield and the airbags again still did not deploy. At impact, was traveling over 25 miles per hour when I was struck.

NHTSA complaint #11684108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford Mustang at 113,000 miles Vineland, NJ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another driver failed to yield while entering the roadway, abruptly cutting in front of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact was unable to stop in time and collided with the rear driver's side passenger door of the other vehicle. The driver's side air bag did deploy but failed to inflate, which the contact related to the injuries he sustained as a result of the accident. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a storage facility and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact did not immediately seek medical attention but later transported himself to an area hospital and was treated for a concussion, neck pain, and back pain. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.

NHTSA complaint #11683199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford Mustang Detroit, MI

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V319000 (Air Bags) and 19V001000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer declined to perform the recall repairs. The contact was informed that, because of the installation of an aftermarket steering wheel, the recall repairs could not be performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint #11678859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Ford Mustang Macomb, MI Crash

AIR BAGS

On [XXX], I was involved in a front-left collision while driving my 2020 Ford Mustang GT (VIN: [XXX] ) with my [XXX] daughter in the front passenger seat. She weighs approximately [XXX] and was properly seated with her seatbelt fastened. The only airbag that deployed was the driver’s knee airbag. The front passenger airbag did not deploy at all. After the accident, the FordPass system reported multiple “Restraints Indicator Lamp Warning” alerts, all timestamped the day of the crash, stating: “Your Air Bag Warning is on due to an issue with the front passenger air bag system. The front passenger airbag may not work properly.” This alert was not visible on the dashboard prior to the crash and was only discovered after checking the app. This failure of the airbag system placed my daughter at serious risk. A properly seated child passenger of sufficient weight should have been protected. The vehicle had approximately 19,177 miles at the time of the accident and had no prior airbag-related service or known damage. The crash occurred at normal road speed during a left turn when another vehicle impacted my front driver-side area. My vehicle is currently with the insurance company and available for full diagnostic inspection by NHTSA or the manufacturer. The passenger-side OCS and SRS systems should be investigated for sensor failure, deployment failure, or manufacturer defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11677498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford Mustang Fredericksburg, VA 1 injured

AIR BAGS

Driver side air bag randomly deployed after hitting bump at 40 miles an hour

NHTSA complaint #11675785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Ford Mustang Covina, CA 2 injured

AIR BAGS

The curtain airbags deployed without any collision or impact. This suggests a failure of the airbag sensors. The vehicle and all components, including the deployed airbags and related sensors, are available for inspection upon request. The sudden airbag deployment created a significant safety hazard. If this had occurred while driving at higher speeds, it could have caused me to lose control of the vehicle. The force of the deployment itself poses a risk of injury and can cause burns, bruises, or hearing damage. Myself and the passenger experienced these injuries. Other drivers could have been endangered if my vehicle reacted unexpectedly due to the deployment. The manufacturer inspected the EDR system which claimed that there was collision. There was no collision and no physical damage on the vehicle to suggest otherwise. This suggests a fault with the EDR system, sensors, and safety components of the vehicle. The vehicle is currently under inspection by insurance representatives. A few months into initially driving my vehicle, a warning lamp stating "RESTRAINT INDICATOR LAMP FAULT" was appearing. In March, there was dent and paint damage on the vehicle caused by a driveway gate, unrelated to the recent airbag deployment. These damages and warning lamp were fixed by an insurance certified shop. A report from this repair shop will be provided upon request. It cannot be attached below due to significant file size. There were no indication or warnings suggesting further fault with the airbags or any other safety restraint from March to the July, when the incident occurred.

NHTSA complaint #11676041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford Mustang at 230,272 miles Blakely, GA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that she purchased a vehicle that was not working. The contact had the engine replaced by an independent mechanic. While starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V319000 (Air Bags) and 19V001000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was repaired at the local dealer, but the failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact that a diagnostic test was needed. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 230,272.

NHTSA complaint #11662831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Ford Mustang Meet, OK Crash

AIR BAGS

Nun

NHTSA complaint #11651933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Ford Mustang Sterling, CO

AIR BAGS

I bought the car on Dec 20th 2024. The dealership informed me of the recall and turned off the passenger side airbag. I returned to the dealership as scheduled about 2 weeks later. When I went to pick up my car after work the service center said they couldn't fix the problem because the airbag didn't exist and sent me on my way. I tried calling the sales person but had to leave a message. There has been no other communication.

NHTSA complaint #11648635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Ford Mustang at 87,000 miles Tomball, TX

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that during inclement weather, water was entering the cabin of the vehicle through the passenger’s side glove box. The contact stated that due to the failure, mold had developed throughout the vehicle on the carpet, doors, and interior seats. The contact's husband also discovered that water had entered the computer module after inspecting the vehicle and the module was removed. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable after several repairs and several battery replacements. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the dealer and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 87,000.

NHTSA complaint #11643908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford Mustang Salem, OH

AIR BAGS

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint #11636507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford Mustang Paducah, KY

AIR BAGS

Light keeps coming up for restraint warning for airbags not working properly

NHTSA complaint #11635052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Ford Mustang at 6,100 miles Nampa, ID Crash

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 25 MPH and entering a roundabout, a vehicle suddenly entered the roundabout and was rear-ended. The brake pedal was depressed however there was not enough distance to avoid the collision. The forward collision warning (FCW) system did not engage. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. No injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 6,100.

NHTSA complaint #11622983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Mustang problems