1,641 of the 11,737 complaints filed about the Ford Mustang are about the engine — 14% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1995.
1,641
Complaints
14%
Share of all complaints
23
Crashes
66
Fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA complaint #11758324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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 where coolant leaks internally into the cylinders. The vehicle previously threw a cylinder misfire code (P0301) and now shows a crankshaft/camshaft timing correlation fault (P0017). A scan tool confirmed the exhaust camshaft is approximately 18–19 degrees out of correlation. A new variable valve timing oil control solenoid was installed and did NOT resolve the fault, confirming the problem is mechanical — a worn/stretched timing chain. This wear is consistent with the oil dilution and contamination caused by internal coolant intrusion. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center via scan data. The vehicle is available for inspection. Warning symptoms included the check engine light, a loud rattle on cold startup, and occasional hard/no-start conditions. This is a safety concern because internal coolant loss can cause overheating, cylinder head cracking, and potential engine failure or fire while driving. Repair cost quoted at approximately $2,000. Mileage approximately 54,400.
NHTSA complaint #11758368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
My 2019 Ford Mustang equipped with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine developed a check-engine light, rough startups, engine misfires/rough running, and some engine knocking. The vehicle had approximately 87,453 miles. I took the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealership for diagnosis. The dealer brought the engine to operating temperature, pressurized the cooling system to 21 PSI, removed the ignition coils and spark plugs, and inspected the cylinders with a borescope. The dealer documented coolant intrusion into cylinder #2 due to a failed cylinder head and recommended replacement of the complete long-block engine due to the extent of the damage. The dealer also documented diagnostic trouble codes P0300 and P0316 for misfires, along with P008A and P018C related to low-side fuel pressure. I am concerned that internal coolant intrusion causing misfires, rough operation and engine knocking could result in significant loss of engine power or engine failure while driving, creating a safety hazard, particularly at highway speeds or in traffic. Ford Customer Relations was notified but declined financial assistance because the vehicle is outside the factory warranty and stated that there is no applicable recall for my vehicle. The vehicle has not been repaired and is available for inspection. The Ford dealership's written diagnostic report and photographs of the cylinder inspection are available.
NHTSA complaint #11757812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
2018 WITH 118,000 MILES. Had to get a full block engine replacement due to coolant intrusion into the cylinders. This was diagnosed and replaced at a Ford dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11757459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated, causing the engine to overheat. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road and turned off the vehicle to allow the engine to cool down while waiting on a mechanic to arrive on the scene. An independent mechanic was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to Auto Zone to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that coolant had leaked into cylinders #2 and #3 before the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, and the ignition coil packs and spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V828000 (ENGINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.
NHTSA complaint #11756680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
2019 Ford Mustang with 3.2 EcoBoost engine has coolant intrusion into the engine thru a defectively made engine block. Diagnosed by the Ford dealer in Hinesville,GA on August 11,2026. Car has 52,731 miles on it and has always been maintained by the local Ford service department. Car is a daily driver, no abuse or rough driving. Car is available for inspection upon request Coolant intrusion can cause sudden engine failure, loss of power and sudden stoppage at any speed. Overheating due to loss of coolant, engine fire, loss of control of the car. Check engine light came on and engine ran rough on cold start up on [XXX] & i then took it in to be checked out by Ford service. Service advisor stated that this coolant intrusion is due to a Ford known defect in the EcoBoost engines; but that there has been no recall. Only solution he offered was to have a new replacement engine installed for about $13,500. I declined the replacement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11756275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Nelson v. Ford Motor Company is a class action lawsuit targeting a defect in Ford's 2.3-liter EcoBoost engines. The suit highlights coolant leaks into engine cylinders, overheating, and catastrophic engine failures. I have had my 2016 ford mustang ecoboost in and out of mechanic shops for months now accumulating well over $7K in out of pocket expenses. I have been to multiple mechanics trying to diagnose and fix the problem but in the end it was a design flaw in the 2016 ford mustang ecoboost 4 cylinder which caused it to leak coolant, misfire, and overheat. I have been having this problem for some time now, this put my safety and the safety of others at risk because I had to slow down dramatically in order to pull over on the freeway due to the engine overheating from coolant loss. I've also experienced problems like trouble starting, rough idling, loss of coolant, and huge clouds of white smoke coming from the exhaust upon start. I have saved every single receipt and invoice breakdown since this problem began. My mechanic has also been documenting everything including taking notes and photographs of every issue. My car is currently in the shop right now being worked on. My mechanic says that he can temporarily patch the problem with a high performance head stud, copper sealant, and an ExtremeHeat metallic repair paste by JB Weld to momentarily solve the issue. He says that he does not know how long this patch will last so he is insisting I either get a new car or to see what my options are regarding the class action lawsuit filed against Ford.
NHTSA complaint #11755118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding a catastrophic Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) failure and severe electrical short circuit on my 2015 Ford Mustang. This vehicle is exhibiting hard fault code B137F:09 (Steering Wheel Left Switch Pack: Component Failure / Short to Ground or Open). This electronic failure creates an immediate, severe safety hazard that goes entirely outside the scope of normal vehicle wear and tear. While driving, the vehicle's steering wheel pulls and jerks violently on its own, actively fighting my manual steering inputs. Furthermore, this internal electronic short creates a massive parasitic electrical draw that prevents the vehicle's computer modules from entering sleep mode when turned off. This has resulted in the primary vehicle battery draining completely flat and causing the vehicle to completely shut down, stall, or lose total electrical power altogether. A vehicle that forcefully steers itself away from the intended path of travel and suffers total electrical shutdown is a clear, life-threatening safety risk to myself and others on the road. Ford Motor Company is fully aware of this dangerous defect. They previously issued Safety Recall 15S18 for a very specific, limited batch of early-production 2015 Mustangs experiencing identical EPAS failures, replacing their steering gears for free. For the remaining 2015 Mustang owners experiencing the exact same hazardous failure, Ford quietly shifted the issue over to a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB / SSM 51312). By limiting the scope of Recall 15S18 purely due to the financial cost of a universal recall, Ford has left an entire population of 2015 Mustang owners in direct harm's way. Some owners received a free lifetime safety fix, while the rest of us are being forced to pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket to correct an identical factory electronic defect. I request that the NHTSA immediately open an investigation into Ford's handling of the 2015 Mustang EPAS and more.
NHTSA complaint #11752954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I own a 2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost with approximately 75,000 miles. My vehicle developed a check engine light with diagnostic codes P0300 (random misfire) and P0301 (cylinder 1 misfire). I also began experiencing white smoke from the exhaust during cold starts. An independent repair shop suspects coolant is entering cylinder 1 due to a possible head gasket failure. They have recommended removing the cylinder head to inspect for cracks, check for warping, pressure test the head, inspect the cylinder walls, and replace the head gasket and related components if no further engine damage is found. The vehicle was properly maintained, and these symptoms appeared unexpectedly.
NHTSA complaint #11751742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Breaks went out
NHTSA complaint #11750914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Breaks went out
NHTSA complaint #11750915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V122000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to complete the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle stalled, jerked forward, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The force of the jerk propelled the contact onto the steering wheel. The vehicle was restarted, and the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle required several attempts to start on some occasions. A dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the recall remedy was unavailable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
NHTSA complaint #11749328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Po442 Evaporative Emmison system leak. Heat catalyst egr set malfunctions. Primary and secondary a/c system deficiencies.
NHTSA complaint #11748219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine sputtered with the check engine warning light illuminated. There was heavy white smoke coming from the tailpipe. Upon arriving at the destination, the vehicle hesitated to restart, and the contact observed a significant loss of coolant. The vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds. Upon inspection, the dealer confirmed coolant intrusion in cylinders #2 and #3, resulting in total engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not under recall, and there was no warranty associated with the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired out-of-pocket by the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
NHTSA complaint #11746432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Engine Failure where a replacement engine is required just after a few months of purchasing the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11744985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the air conditioning system failed to function as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle chugged and failed to accelerate as intended. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall or warranty coverage for the vehicle. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested to purchase a new vehicle. The contact declined due to the sentimental value of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 69,900.
NHTSA complaint #11744688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Coolant intrusion. This particular motor has caused NUMEROUS issues with 2019 & older Ford models, specifically with the 2.3L Ecoboost engines. The Ford Motor Company should recall & replace the engines of all models affected, mine included. I spent $2200 for a new timing system, tow fees, was broke down on the side of the road when my engine overheated. I bought this car brand new. Financed $27k & owe $3900 right now. Devastated & livid describes how I feel at the present. Coolant intrusion causing hydrolock is a KNOWN issue by Ford, and they should make things right with the owners of the vehicles affected. A new motor will cost $6500. That should NOT be a cost that the customer has to pay.
NHTSA complaint #11744908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Description On your vehicles engine, one or more of the clips that retain the engines pistons to their connecting rods may be mis-installed or missing. Safety Risk A mis-installed clip may result in an audible knocking noise that increases over time. Progression of this issue can lead to piston failure and engine damage, resulting in a loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Parts are available to repair your vehicle. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to inspect your vehicles engine for evidence of mis-installedmissing clips. If found, the engine long block assembly will be replaced free of charge. Recall service not available right now. We have a remedy but parts are not available right now. We will inform you when the service is available. Or, you can contact your dealer.
NHTSA complaint #11744348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Mustang. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a routine timing cover replacement. The contact believed the engine was damaged while being serviced. Upon retrieval, the check engine light was illuminated. There was an abnormal ticking noise detected. The vehicle had misfired. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #11739997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Left for work. Started running funny, stalled-started-stalled-started on my street. Got on highway about 1/2 mile, check engine light & engine temp light came on. Got off highway and called a tow to SARASOTA FORD. Tech ran diag. for codes, codes found.: P1285( cylinder head over temp ), P0316(engine misfire ), P0304( cylinder 4 misfire ), P0303(cylinder 3 misfire ), P0302( cylinder 2 misfire ), P217( engine coolant over temp ),.. Tech removed spark plugs and saw coolant in cylinder's ( 2,3,4 ) with a bore scope. Ongoing problem I found out about after the fact with the ( 2015-2019, 2.3L EcoBoost .. "ECO-BOOM" motor ). Specifically between cylinder's 2 & 3... Was quoted a repair cost of over $10,000.00 -12,000.00 dollars. It's been next to my house for almost a year now. Bought the car used in JANUARY 2021 with my son with no explanation of the known problem. If known I would not have bought the car, 2019/FORD/MUSTANG/2DR CPE ECOBOOST FASTBACK. Diagnostics were done on 06/04/2025 at ... Incident happened around 05/30-31/2025, That's about all I got
NHTSA complaint #11739704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.