What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Mustang?

Owners filed 200 complaints under the power train group and 125 under air bags. Engine follows with 55 complaints.

Does the 2011 Ford Mustang have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts show 4 recalls for this model year. The Recalls section on this page lists them and shows their status.

How many complaints does the 2011 Ford Mustang have?

NHTSA has 466 owner complaints on file. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted by sales.

What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Ford Mustang?

See the fuel economy section on this page, which is built from EPA data.

Is the 2011 Ford Mustang reliable?

Owner reports are mixed across groups, led by the power train and air bags. Read the Problems section and the by-year comparison on this page before you decide.

2011 Ford Mustang Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 466 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Ford Mustang^[1]. The power train group is named the most, with 200 complaints^[2].

466owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

17–23MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints under several component groups, and here they are from biggest to smallest.

Power Train. 200 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe gears that fight back when the weather is cold, shudders when slowing down, and a shifter that slips out of gear or refuses to go in.
Air Bags. 125 complaints^[5]. Owners describe a passenger air bag warning light that comes on and stays on, and repair quotes that surprised them. Some also describe a crash where the air bags did not open.
Engine. 55 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, owners mention odd knocking noises, a car that stopped moving while the engine kept running, and trouble getting the car to start.
Speed Control. 39 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a car that hesitates or bogs down when they press the gas, sudden stalling, and a throttle part that was swapped out.
Steering. 25 complaints^[8].
Electrical System. 24 complaints^[9].
Fuel/Propulsion System. 23 complaints^[10].
Unknown Or Other. 15 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2011 Mustang is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (21V081), February 2021. About 1,067 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, a crash, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V001), January 2019. About 782,384 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Remedy pending
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V384), May 2016. About 1,892,343 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. The remedy was not yet available when this record was filed.^[14]
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (15V319), May 2015. About 1,018,622 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Mustang, 5.4L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[16]	15 / 23 / 17	$4,850
Mustang, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	19 / 30 / 23	$2,900
Mustang, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[17]	19 / 28 / 22	$3,050
Mustang, 5.0L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[18]	17 / 26 / 20	$3,350
Mustang, 5.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[19]	18 / 25 / 20	$3,350
Mustang Convertible, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[20]	19 / 29 / 23	$2,900

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
C RWD^[21]	n/a	n/a	n/a	5	8.7%
2 DR RWD^[22]	n/a	n/a	n/a	5	8.7%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2011 Ford Mustang with 3.7L 6-cylinder^[23]	300 hp
2011 Ford Mustang with 5.0L 8-cylinder^[24]	400 hp
2011 Ford Mustang with 5.4L 8-cylinder^[25]	550 hp

How 2011 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Mustang model year. The 2011 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	616	5
1996	286	3
1997	214	2
1998	305	4
1999	272	4
2000	395	4
2001	249	1
2002	166	0
2003	231	1
2004	130	1
2005	868	5
2006	575	5
2007	615	5
2008	347	5
2009	181	5
2010	261	5
2011	466	4
2012	469	6
2013	271	5
2014	359	3
2015	438	11
2016	379	5
2017	268	6
2018	196	3
2019	150	6
2020	120	8
2021	55	6
2022	50	9
2023	15	6
2024	84	12
2025	19	6
2026	8	5

NHTSA's counts for the Mustang show 466 complaints and 4 recalls for 2011^[3]. Among the 32 model years listed, 26 have fewer complaints than 2011 and 5 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (8) and the most are for 2005 (868)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2011 Mustang?

The 2011 Mustang has a large pile of owner complaints, 466 in all^[1]. The biggest group is the power train^[2], with air bags next^[5]. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. If you are shopping, check the Recalls section on this page, because the by-year facts list 4 recalls for this model year^[3]. Test drive any car you are considering and pay attention to how it shifts and how the air bag light behaves.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Mustang?: Owners filed 200 complaints under the power train group^[2] and 125 under air bags^[5]. Engine follows with 55 complaints^[6].
Does the 2011 Ford Mustang have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts show 4 recalls for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them and shows their status.
How many complaints does the 2011 Ford Mustang have?: NHTSA has 466 owner complaints on file^[1]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted by sales.
What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Ford Mustang?: See the fuel economy section on this page, which is built from EPA data.
Is the 2011 Ford Mustang reliable?: Owner reports are mixed across groups, led by the power train^[2] and air bags^[5]. Read the Problems section and the by-year comparison on this page before you decide.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Ford Mustang

2002 166 complaints, 0 recalls
2005 868 complaints, 5 recalls
2006 575 complaints, 5 recalls
2009 181 complaints, 5 recalls
2010 261 complaints, 5 recalls
2011 this page
2012 469 complaints, 6 recalls
2013 271 complaints, 5 recalls
2014 359 complaints, 3 recalls
2015 438 complaints, 11 recalls
2016 379 complaints, 5 recalls
2017 268 complaints, 6 recalls
2018 196 complaints, 3 recalls

Compare all model years of the Ford Mustang

Other Ford models from 2011

2011 Ford Crown Victoria 23 complaints, 2 recalls
2011 Ford Edge 1,803 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 Ford Escape 1,355 complaints, 2 recalls
2011 Ford Fiesta 730 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 Ford Fusion 2,926 complaints, 7 recalls
2011 Ford Ranger 235 complaints, 5 recalls

All Ford models

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 466 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Ford Mustang (20 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 17 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
200 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Mustang model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Mustang, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 30 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
125 complaints name the air bags component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
55 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,100). NHTSA vehicle records
39 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,000). NHTSA vehicle records
25 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
24 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,050). NHTSA vehicle records
23 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,000). NHTSA vehicle records
15 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,200). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 21V081, filed February 16, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V001, filed January 7, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V384, filed May 31, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V319, filed May 28, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Mustang, 5.4L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Mustang, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Mustang, 5.0L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Mustang, 5.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Mustang Convertible, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, C RWD: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 8.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR RWD: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 8.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Ford Mustang with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 300 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Ford Mustang with 5.0L 8-cylinder: rated 400 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Ford Mustang with 5.4L 8-cylinder: rated 550 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2011 Ford Mustang: problems, recalls and fuel economy