2023 Ford Mustang: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the steering, electrical, and brakes. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

2023

Owner complaints: 14
Recalls: 6
Crashes reported: 5
Reliability: Good; 72/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

0/9 checked

Paperwork and questions

Before you go, or before you touch the car0/4

01Confirm the 6 recalls listed below show as completed for this VIN. A Ford dealer can look them up for free.
02Run the VIN through a federal recall lookup and confirm campaigns 24V493000 and 23V727000 show as completed.
03Ask for dealer repair orders proving recall work was done, not just scheduled while waiting on parts.
04Check service history for repeated visits for fuel injector, fuel line, or false collision warning complaints.

Walk-around and cabin

Engine off, key in hand0/1

05From a stop, press the throttle and confirm the engine revs right away without a delayed surge.

Test drive

At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4

06Drive steadily between 27 and 37 mph and feel for loose, darty, or wandering steering.
07Hold the wheel lightly on a straight road and watch for shaking or a sudden pull to one side.
08Accelerate hard onto a highway and note any hesitation, power loss, or stalling.
09Press the brake pedal firmly with the engine running and reject the car if it sinks toward the floor.

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.

Reported on other Mustang years with the same design

These years share the 2023's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.

2022 Mustang

154 owner complaints

Electrical 54
Transmission 27
Acceleration and cruise control 13

Worth adding to your 2023 checks

Run the VIN through federal recall records and confirm the junction box, fuel pump, steering, and brake warning recalls are completed.
On a Mach-E, ask for service records showing any high-voltage battery junction box replacements, and note repeat failures.
Take a long test drive and watch for Stop Safely Now, reduced power, front camera, or pre-collision assist warnings.

Open the 2022 checklist

2021 Mustang

373 owner complaints

Electrical 113
Transmission 52
Automatic emergency braking 48

Worth adding to your 2023 checks

Run the VIN for open recalls, especially junction box recall 22S41 and windshield campaign 21V711000.
Ask for service records showing junction box replacement or tows after "Stop Safely Now" warnings.
Drive over bumpy roads and watch for "Front Camera Fault" or "Pre-Collision Assist Not Available" messages.

Open the 2021 checklist

2020 Mustang

101 owner complaints

Electrical 19
Transmission 17
Brakes 12

Worth adding to your 2023 checks

Shift into reverse several times and confirm the backup camera shows a clear image with no blue or black screen.
Run the VIN through federal recall records and confirm the brake, backup camera, and door latch repairs are done.
On EcoBoost cars, start the engine cold and watch for white exhaust smoke, misfires, or a shaking idle.

Open the 2020 checklist

Which Mustang is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2023 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 2023 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.

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Ford Mustang, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

Steering51 crash
Shaking and vibration in the wheel while driving are the most common reports. At about 27 to 37 mph, the car can also feel loose and darty, and a dealer reproduced that instability in one case. One crash report describes the wheel turning right without warning and hitting a curb. Several reports involve recall 24V493000. The repair part is not available, and dealers offer little help while owners wait. One shaking complaint came in at about 3,000 miles, and another owner describes the car as brand new.
Electrical42 crashes
The engine loses power without warning. The car hesitates, will not accelerate to merge at highway speed, and can stall in traffic. Diagnoses point to a failed fuel injector or fuel line. In another pattern, the gas pedal stops responding, and then the car surges forward and fishtails. Half of the 4 complaints involve crashes. One crash ties brake failure at about 20 mph to recall 23V727000, which went unrepaired because the part was unavailable. One owner reports 6 dealer visits.
Brakes22 crashes
The brakes fail suddenly, and both complaints in this category involve crashes. In one, the collision avoidance warning comes on with nothing nearby, the brake pedal sinks to the floor, and the driver loses control at about 45 mph and hits a wall barrier. The cause was not determined, and the manufacturer offered no assistance. The other crash is blamed on faulty brakes covered by recall 23V727.

In owners' own words

Excerpts from complaints Mustang owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.

SteeringCrash reported

I was driving and my steering wheel turned to the right all of a sudden and I hit a curb. The curb caused my tire to blow, messed up my wheel, and who knows how bad anything else was that was messed up from this incident.

Filed with NHTSA, July 2024

Steering

While piloting the vehicle at speeds between approximately 27 and 37 mile per hour, the steering becomes loose and darty, creating an unstable and potentially unsafe driving experience. The problem was reproduced by a dealer as detailed in the provided repair order. The dealer contacted the manufacturer for technical assistance. There were no warnings or messages. The issue appeared in July 2023.

Filed with NHTSA, September 2023

Electrical

While attempting to accelerate at an intersection, the vehicle lurched forward. The gas peddle stopped working completely, leaving my vehicle stranded in the middle of the intersection with traffic coming from both directions. The engine was not revving when the gas peddle was being pushed. After repeatedly slamming on the gas peddle, the vehicle quickly accelerated forward, fishtailed, and sent me into oncoming traffic, very narrowly avoiding an accident.

Filed with NHTSA, December 2023

BrakesCrash reported

On Nov 22nd, I met with an accident. I have a safety recall notice from Ford. NHTSA Recall number is 23V727. Because of this, the brakes were faulty leading to the accident.

Filed with NHTSA, December 2023

How the 2023 compares with other Mustang years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2023 ranks seventh for owner complaints among 8 Mustang years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2023 Average of other years

Steering55
Electrical438
Brakes26

Where the 2023 fits in the Mustang's history

Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.

The 2023 is the ninth 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 (6)

Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

25V689000ElectricalOct 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Mustang vehicles repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V727. 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 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C55. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 17, 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.
25V096000SteeringFeb 2025
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.
Risk: A steering wheel that turns unintentionally can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the power steering control module (PSCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S11.
24V493000SteeringJun 2024
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.
Risk: A steering wheel that turns unintentionally can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the power steering control module (PSCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S44.
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.
23V070000TransmissionFeb 2023
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.".
Risk: The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06.

Also looking at these instead of a Mustang?

Cars shoppers compare with the Ford Mustang, with their own 2023 checklists.

2023 owner complaints, side by side

Complaints by model year

Tap a year for its checklist.

NHTSA crash-test stars

Overall
Frontal crash
Side crash
Rollover

Ratings describe an undamaged 2023 Ford Mustang. A car with poorly repaired crash damage may not protect you the same way, so check the VIN report for accidents.