CarBrief

NHTSA has 268 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Ford Mustang[1]. The model year also has six recalls on file, so check your VIN before you buy or keep one[2].

268owner complaints[1]
6recalls[2]
16–24MPG combined (EPA)[3]
5★NHTSA overall rating[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 268 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Fourteen mention a crash, 8 a fire and 11 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Back over prevention (rearview camera)[5] 64 46,000
Structure[6] 41 45,050
Unknown or other[7] 37 30,000
Engine[8] 34 31,000
Electrical system[9] 34 34,000
Latches, locks and linkages[10] 29 60,000
Power train[11] 22 36,625
Seat belts[12] 16 58,500

In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe a few patterns.

Electrical system complaints name 4 fires and engine complaints name 1[9][8]. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Recalls

Six recalls are in our data for this car[2]. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see which ones apply to your Mustang.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and body style. The best combined rating in our data is 24 mpg for the 2.3L 4-cylinder turbo with a manual or automatic (S6) in the Mustang, at an estimated $2,800 a year[3][19]. The 3.7L 6-cylinder rates 21 mpg combined and $3,200 a year[20][21]. The 5.0L 8-cylinder rates 17 to 18 mpg combined and $3,700 to $3,950 a year[22][23]. The Shelby GT350 with the 5.2L 8-cylinder rates 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 21 highway, at $5,150 a year[24].

EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2 DR RWD version 5 stars overall, 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 5 stars rollover[4]. The rollover risk is 8.1%[4]. A separate 'C RWD' listing also shows 5 stars for rollover at 8.1%[25].

Engine and size

The EPA test list shows these horsepower ratings for the 2017 Mustang[26][27][28][29]:

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
GT convertible[30] 188 in 76 in 55 in 107 in 3,891 lb
GT coupe[31] 188 in 76 in 54 in 107 in 3,706 lb
GT350 coupe[32] 190 in 76 in 54 in 107 in 3,805 lb
V6/EcoBoost convertible[33] 188 in 76 in 55 in 107 in 3,706 lb
V6/EcoBoost coupe[34] 188 in 76 in 54 in 107 in 3,543 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

1995: 616 complaints, 5 recalls19951996: 286 complaints, 3 recalls1997: 214 complaints, 2 recalls1998: 305 complaints, 4 recalls1999: 272 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 395 complaints, 4 recalls2001: 249 complaints, 1 recalls2002: 166 complaints, 0 recalls2003: 231 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 130 complaints, 1 recalls2005: 868 complaints, 5 recalls2006: 575 complaints, 5 recalls2007: 615 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 347 complaints, 5 recalls2009: 181 complaints, 5 recalls2010: 261 complaints, 5 recalls2011: 466 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 469 complaints, 6 recalls2013: 271 complaints, 5 recalls2014: 359 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 438 complaints, 11 recalls20152016: 379 complaints, 5 recalls2017: 268 complaints, 6 recalls26820172018: 196 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 150 complaints, 6 recalls20192020: 120 complaints, 8 recalls2021: 55 complaints, 6 recalls2022: 50 complaints, 9 recalls2023: 15 complaints, 6 recalls20232024: 84 complaints, 12 recalls2025: 19 complaints, 6 recalls2026: 8 complaints, 5 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Mustang model year. The 2017 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19956165
19962863
19972142
19983054
19992724
20003954
20012491
20021660
20032311
20041301
20058685
20065755
20076155
20083475
20091815
20102615
20114664
20124696
20132715
20143593
201543811
20163795
20172686
20181963
20191506
20201208
2021556
2022509
2023156
20248412
2025196
202685

NHTSA has 268 complaints and 6 recalls for 2017[2]. The 2016 model year has 379 complaints and 5 recalls, and 2015 has 438 complaints and 11 recalls[2]. The 2018 model year has 196 complaints and 3 recalls[2].

Every model year from 2018 to 2026 has fewer complaints than 2017[2]. Earlier years vary widely, from 130 complaints for 2004 to 868 for 2005[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2017 Mustang?

The ratings are strong, with 5 stars overall for the 2 DR RWD[4]. The complaint count of 268 is lower than the 2015 and 2016 model years[2]. Check the VIN for the six recalls, especially the seat belt pretensioner recall, whose final remedy is anticipated December 2026[13]. Rearview camera and door complaints came up in the sample we read, so test those before you sign[5][6]. Fuel cost varies a lot by engine, from $2,800 to $5,150 a year[3][24].

Frequently asked questions

What problems do owners report for the 2017 Ford Mustang?
Rearview camera complaints are the largest group at 64 of 268[5][1]. Structure has 41, unknown or other 37, and engine and electrical 34 each[6][7][8][9].
Does the 2017 Ford Mustang have recalls?
Six recalls are in our data, covering the seat belt pretensioner, rearview camera, air bag inflator, door handle spring and oil cooler hose[13][14][15][16][17][18].
What is the gas mileage of a 2017 Ford Mustang?
EPA combined ratings run from 16 mpg for the GT350 to 24 mpg for the 2.3L turbo[24][3].
How safe is the 2017 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA gives the 2 DR RWD version 5 stars overall[4].
Is the 2017 Mustang a better year than 2016?
It has fewer complaints than 2016 (268 versus 379) and one more recall (6 versus 5)[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 268 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Ford Mustang (14 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 11 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Mustang model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Mustang, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR RWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 8.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 64 complaints name the back over prevention component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 41 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,050). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 37 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 34 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 34 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 29 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 22 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,625). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 16 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 25V614, filed September 12, 2025: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 25V572, filed September 3, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 22V082, filed February 16, 2022: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 17V529, filed August 28, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 17V168, filed March 13, 2017: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 16V779, filed October 26, 2016: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Hoses / Lines / Piping / Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  19. EPA rating for Mustang, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Mustang, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Mustang, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for Mustang, 5.0L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 25 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for Mustang Performance Package, 5.0L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 23 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for Shelby GT350 Mustang, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 21 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, C RWD: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 8.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  26. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Ford Mustang with 2.3L 4-cylinder: rated 310 hp. www.epa.gov
  27. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Ford Mustang with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 300 hp. www.epa.gov
  28. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Ford Mustang with 5.0L 8-cylinder: rated 420 hp. www.epa.gov
  29. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Ford Mustang with 5.2L 8-cylinder: rated 526 hp. www.epa.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MUSTANG GT 2DR CONVERTIBLE RWD: length 188 in, width 76 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,891 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MUSTANG GT 2DR COUPE RWD: length 188 in, width 76 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,706 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  32. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MUSTANG GT350 2DR COUPE RWD: length 190 in, width 76 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,805 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  33. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MUSTANG V6/ECOBOOST 2DR CONVERTIBLE RWD: length 188 in, width 76 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,706 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  34. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MUSTANG V6/ECOBOOST 2DR COUPE RWD: length 188 in, width 76 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,543 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.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.