Ford · Known Issues
2021 Ford Mustang Problems: 14 Known Issues
2021 model year · 21,160+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2021 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2021 model year · 21,160+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2021 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
Interest applies to the selected vehicle and configuration; it is not a reservation. Voting stores a first-party identifier for up to 180 days to prevent repeat votes. No account or email is needed. Clearing cookies or using another device may count separately. Privacy
Visual coming soon
Your interest helps us choose what to build next.
Visual Known Issues · Coming soon
$4.99/month plus taxes at launch · No payment today
According to Au7o's analysis of 21,160+ owner reports, the 2021 Ford Mustang has 14 documented known issues, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is MT82 Manual Transmission Grinding and Shifting Issues ($150-$6,000 repair). The most commonly reported issue is 5.0L Coyote Engine Tick/Knock Noise at Idle with 8,000 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $2 to $7,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM
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."
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Ford Mustang vehicles. The secondary steering torque sensor may not be calibrated properly, which can cause the steering wheel to turn side to side against the driver's intentions.
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or .
According to Au7o's analysis of 21,160+ owner reports, the 2021 Ford Mustang has 14 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: MT82 Manual Transmission Grinding and Shifting Issues, Independent Rear Suspension Clunk and Noise Over Bumps, 10R80 10-Speed Automatic Harsh Shifting and Hesitation. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2021 Ford Mustang has 14 known issues documented across 21,160+ owner reports. 1 issue is rated critical: MT82 Manual Transmission Grinding and Shifting Issues. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Ford Mustang issues range from $0 to $7,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, MT82 Manual Transmission Grinding and Shifting Issues, typically costs $150-$6,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The MT82 6-speed manual transmission is notorious for multiple issues including gear grinding (especially 1st to 2nd and into 3rd gear when cold), high RPM lockout preventing shifts, notchy/difficult shifts, premature synchronizer wear, and in severe cases complete transmission f… Repairs typically run $150-$6,000. Severity: high.
The S550 Mustang's independent rear suspension (IRS) is prone to developing clunking or knocking noises when going over bumps, accelerating from a stop, or during cornering. Common causes include loose sway bar end links, loose subframe bolts, worn or binding shock mounts, loose… Repairs typically run $50-$600. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Ford Mustang vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-493. The secondary steering torque sensor may not be calibrated properly, which can cause the steering wheel to turn side to side against the driver's intentions.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
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.
+ 14 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
The 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission exhibits issues including harsh or jerky shifting, gear hunting (constantly searching for the right gear), hesitation during acceleration, unexpected downshifts, and transmission whining. The transmission's aluminum outer shells can devel… Repairs typically run $0-$7,000. Severity: medium.
The backup camera frequently exhibits intermittent operation, showing a black or blank screen when reverse is engaged. The issue is often caused by wiring being pinched in the trunk lid, corroded connections at the rear license plate light area, or a failing camera unit. Repairs typically run $50-$600. Severity: medium.
A small plastic clip called the brake pedal bumper/stopper can break and fall out of position, causing the brake light switch to remain constantly engaged. This results in brake lights staying on even when the pedal is released (including when the car is off, draining the battery… Repairs typically run $2-$250. Severity: medium.
Performance Mustangs (GT350, GT500, Mach 1) that are tracked or driven hard can experience brake booster failures or vacuum leaks, causing a hissing sound and harder brake pedal feel. The standard brake booster is undersized for sustained track use. Repairs typically run $300-$1,500. Severity: medium.
P0430 is the Bank 2 (driver-side) mirror of P0420 on the 5.0L Coyote Mustang. On 2018-2019 5.0L cars with the automatic, a set P0430 almost always points to a failed driver-side catalytic converter — this is a documented factory issue covered by Ford TSB 19-2201 for cars built on… Repairs typically run $120-$1,600. Severity: medium.
S550 Mustangs with the 6-speed manual can have the clutch pedal stick on or near the floor and fail to return, most often during spirited or high-RPM driving and in hot weather. The cause is the hydraulic clutch actuation circuit - air ingestion, a degraded/flexing factory plasti… Repairs typically run $100-$1,200. Severity: medium.
The 2.3L EcoBoost's turbocharger wastegate develops play in the actuator linkage - a missing/worn wave spring and a loose wastegate arm let the flapper rattle, and the actuator can stop holding boost. As it wears the engine logs P0299 (underboost) and drops into reduced-power lim… Repairs typically run $150-$2,200. Severity: medium.
On the Coyote 5.0L Mustang GT, P0420 sets when the Bank 1 (passenger-side) downstream oxygen sensor sees the rear catalyst behaving too much like the front sensor, meaning the catalyst is no longer scrubbing exhaust efficiently. On 2018-2019 5.0L cars this is a recognized factory… Repairs typically run $120-$1,600. Severity: medium.
The 2020-2022 GT500's Tremec TR-9070 7-speed dual-clutch transmission overheats under sustained track use, throwing 'Transmission Too Hot' and 'Clutch Pack Too Hot' messages and derating the car (forced short-shifting / reduced output) once fluid temps climb, especially above ~90… Repairs typically run $300-$2,500. Severity: medium.
Two distinct tick patterns affect 5.0L Coyote V8 in 2015-2023 Mustang depending on engine generation. Gen 2 Coyote (2015-2017): light tick at idle and on cold start, commonly attributed to valve lash / lifter operation; generally cosmetic and not associated with engine damage. Ge… Repairs typically run $0-$3,000. Severity: low.
The HVAC blend door actuators can fail, causing clicking noises from the dashboard, inability to control air temperature, or air only blowing hot or cold. The actuators are plastic and prone to gear stripping. Multiple actuators may fail over time. Repairs typically run $50-$400. Severity: low.
On the S550 Mustang (both 2.3L EcoBoost and 5.0L GT), P0442 (small EVAP leak) most commonly traces to the canister purge valve solenoid, a part Ford has revised through numerous part-number iterations because the original design fails repeatedly. EcoBoost owners report installing… Repairs typically run $20-$350. Severity: low.