2026 Ford Mustang: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2026 Ford Mustang: 5 recalls, 8 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine Vehicle recall #25V828000 · 2025 · 6 vehicles
What's wrong: The cylinder head May have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
Why it matters: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a fire. In addition, the loss of oil can result in engine seizure and loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still within dealership inventory and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #26V205000 · 2026 · 278 vehicles
What's wrong: The engine piston circlips May have been incorrectly installed during manufacturing, which can result in piston failure and engine damage, leading to a loss of drive power.
Why it matters: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or mis-installed circlips and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #26V418000 · 2026 · 67,842 vehicles
What's wrong: During certain cold temperature conditions, the windshield wipers May function only at their high-speed setting and the washing system May fail to function properly.
Why it matters: Windshield wipers or a washing system that fails to function as intended can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper motor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2026.
Electrical Vehicle recall #26V547000 · 2026 · 148,663 vehicles
What's wrong: The engine compartment wiring harness ground connections May fracture and result in a loss of drive power, or a loss of function in the windshield washing system, headlights, air conditioning, or engine cooling fan. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) numbers 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment," and 104, "windshield…
Why it matters: A loss of driver power increases the risk of a crash. In addition, a loss of headlight function or windshield washing system function can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the engine compartment wiring harness ground terminals, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in March 2027.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #26V548000 · 2026 · 10,001 vehicles
What's wrong: The engine piston domes May have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
Why it matters: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (3): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
- Brakes (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Speed control / throttle (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2026 Ford Mustang has 8 owner complaints, ranking #37 of 37 Mustang model years for complaints (well below the 240 average). Complaints peaked in 2026 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 0 years old, at a median of 2,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2025 (18 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 10-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 | 33 | 26 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S10) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2026 Ford Mustang.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2026 Ford Mustang have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2026 Ford Mustang. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2026 Ford Mustang problems?
Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (3), brakes (2), electrical (2).
What gas mileage does the 2026 Ford Mustang get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.3 L, Automatic 10-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2026 Ford Mustang repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.