2020 Ford Mustang: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, transmission, and brakes. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020- Owner complaints
- 101
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes reported
- 12
- 8 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 Ford Mustang: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Mustang is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 Ford Mustang. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl | RWD | 25 mpg |
| 5.0L 8-cyl | RWD | 19 mpg |
- The 2020 Ford Mustang was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Mustang that averages well under the EPA 19 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Instrument panel and APIM failure
19,000–47,047 miles
Coolant intrusion, engine replacement
37,000–66,500 miles
Backup camera failure
56,671–90,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Ford Mustang, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical19No crashes
Rearview camera failures make up most of these reports. In reverse, the screen turns blue or black and shows "Camera unavailable, contact dealer." The digital instrument cluster also goes blank, sometimes for a few seconds and sometimes for 10 to 30 minutes. Dealers have traced some of these cases to failed APIM and FCIM modules. Other reports describe windows that won't close fully or move on their own, doors that unlock and open at highway speed, and a steering lock fault that keeps the car from starting. Two complaints describe fires under the hood after the car was parked.
Transmission172 crashes
Most of these reports involve the 10-speed automatic. Owners describe harsh shifts into reverse, delayed engagement into drive, slamming downshifts, slipping, and the engine revving high before lurching into the next gear. Some cars lose drive completely and need a new transmission, one at 63,000 miles. Dealers often find nothing, or they replace parts without fixing it. Two complaints describe the car moving while the brake was held, ending in crashes. Other reports cover intermittent loss of throttle with a wrench light, a fluid leak with smoke, and a broken flywheel on a manual car.
Brakes123 crashes
Brake pedal brackets snap under hard braking. The pedal drops to the floor, and the parking brake is the only way left to stop the car. Several owners with a brake recall notice say they waited months for parts. One dealer said parts would not arrive until April of 2021. Three complaints describe crashes in which the car did not slow, or kept moving, with the brake pressed. No cause was confirmed in those cases. Other reports include a Hill Start Assist failure warning and rear calipers clamping the rotors at about 12,000 miles.
Engine11No crashes
Coolant leaks into the cylinders, causing a check engine light, misfires, rough running, shaking, and loss of power, often at low speed. Dealers usually recommend replacing the whole engine. Most of these failures land in the 60,000s, just past the powertrain warranty, and one owner at 64K was refused coverage. Other complaints describe failed pistons with smoke from under the hood, overheating with hesitation on acceleration, and a large oil leak at about 72,000 miles.
Head gasket failure lets coolant into the combustion chamber. Owners see a check engine light, coolant loss, and overheating while driving. Dealers recommend replacing the long block or the entire engine. In one case, an independent shop replaced only the head gasket and the problem came back. Another complaint, at about 86,000 miles, involves a failed catalytic converter and active grille shutter assembly.
Airbags66 crashes
Airbags fail to deploy in serious crashes. All six complaints involve a collision, and four report injuries. Several describe heavy front-end or side damage, including spinning into a barrier, with no deployment at all. In one frontal crash only the driver's knee airbag fired, and the connected app later flagged a fault in the front passenger airbag system. These are owner accounts of crash outcomes, and none reports a confirmed defect.
Backup camera5No crashes
The backup camera goes blank or shows a distorted image in reverse, followed by "Camera Unavailable - Contact Dealer." Dealers replace the camera or repair damaged wiring, and reported failures fall between about 56,671 and 90,000 miles. Two complaints are not about a failure at all. Those owners hold a notice for recall 25V695000, but the repair part is unavailable, and they say the wait is unreasonable.
Wipers and visibility3No crashes
The backup camera sometimes shows a blank or distorted image, or the screen displays "Contact your Dealer" at startup. Owners link this to recall 20V575000. In one case the car was not covered by the recall, and in another the camera failed again after the recall repair. A separate report describes the front passenger window moving by itself. It was fixed with a new window motor and wiring harness at about 20,000 miles.
Body and structure2No crashes
The rear wing spoiler comes loose and flies off while driving. In one case it happened again after the trunk and spoiler had already been replaced. A separate complaint describes a fuel tank that takes about 10 gallons instead of 16. The range reading drops to zero without warning and the car runs out of gas. That car had a street-racing history, and the complaint is flagged as fire-related.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Mustang owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The rearview camera display threw up a blue screen then proceeded to throw up a back screen and told me “Camera is unavailable. Please contact dealership.” From my knowledge, there is a current recall out for this particular issue. I was attempting to back into a parking spot when this happened and I was surrounded by vehicles when this happened. There were no warnings on the vehicle dash or in the app. I would like this fixed as soon as possible.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2025
- The light of the airbag and seatbelt came on my dashboard, went to the dealership and they told me that there's an issue with the control module, apparently there is a recall for that but since my car wasn't called they could repair. - Backup camera goes completely off when trying to go on reverse.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2024
Transmission Issue. Transmission slams into 2nd gear when downshifting from 3rd. Transmission has grinding noise when going from 4th to 5th. Potential safety issue due to potential transmission failure. Yes, problem is reproducible, however, it is awaiting inspection at Mike Patton Ford. No warning lamps. Car has had transmission issues intermittently since 4/2020. This issue started 2 weeks ago.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2025
The back up camera periodically has a black screen or a blue screen. The sound of an object getting closer some times works and sometimes doesn't. Also the lines showing where the tires are on the camera do not appear either. Transmission was replaced under warranty for several issues. It's the 10 speed version. However even with the new transmission. It tends to lag on gear 4 mainly.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2025
How the 2020 compares with other Mustang years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 ranks fifth for owner complaints among 8 Mustang years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical1936
- Transmission1721
- Brakes124
- Engine1112
- Airbags61
- Backup camera51
Where the 2020 fits in the Mustang's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2020 is the sixth model year of the Mustang's sixth generation (2015–2023).
It includes the 2018 update.
What changed for 2018
- Minor exterior redesign
- Engine lineup revised, dropping V6
- Increase in horsepower for EcoBoost V8
Recalls to confirm (8)
Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
25V695000Backup cameraOct 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
25V442000Backup cameraJun 2025
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.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
23V727000ElectricalOct 2023
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.".
Risk: Without a low brake fluid warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, reducing braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C35.
22V382000TransmissionMay 2022
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may broadcast an unintended faulted signal to the modules controlling the reverse camera, reverse light, and driver assist features, which may disable all of these functions.
Risk: A rearview camera or reverse light that is disabled reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Disabled driver assist features (traction control, forward collision warning, blind spot warning, cross traffic indicator) may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 15, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S37.
20V573000BrakesSep 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The brake pedal bracket may fracture during sudden stopping.
Risk: A broken brake pedal could affect braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal bracket assembly, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S52.
20V575000Backup cameraSep 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
20V306000Automatic emergency brakingMay 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped a forward-looking camera. The camera may be misaligned to the vehicle and features that are dependent on the camera such as Pre-Collision Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping System, Driver Alert, and Auto High Beam Control may not function as intended.
Risk: If the driver is unaware that the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not operating effectively, they may rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will perform the Lane Departure Warning System camera alignment procedure, free of charge. This recall began June 17, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S26.
20V263000TransmissionMay 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles. The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.
Risk: If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being shifted into park, unintended vehicle movement may result, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S21.
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2020 owner complaints, side by side
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