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Pre-purchase inspection

Should you buy a used Ford Mustang?

Whether a used Ford Mustang is a good buy depends on the individual vehicle, not the model. Three checks matter before you pay: the NHTSA recall lookup by VIN for open recalls, the seller’s service and accident records, and an independent pre-purchase inspection of that specific vehicle. This page lists the most recent NHTSA recall campaigns for the Ford Mustang and what an inspector checks.

As of NHTSA records retrieved 2026-08-27, NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns for the Ford Mustang, model years 2016–2024, most often listing electrical system and back over prevention. A recall applies to specific VIN ranges, variants, trims or build dates, so any individual vehicle may be affected by all, some, or none of them, and a campaign count is not a reliability ranking. The most recent campaign on file is 26V418000 (June 2026, visibility).

1 of these campaigns carry NHTSA’s “park it” warning — NHTSA’s notice says affected vehicles should not be driven until the remedy is performed. They are older than the campaigns listed here. Confirm the VIN against NHTSA’s recall lookup before a test drive.

Which systems do Ford Mustang recalls affect?

Recall campaigns by affected system, 2016–2024.

What are the most recent NHTSA recall campaigns for the Ford Mustang?

Showing the 12 most recent of 39 campaigns, newest first, from NHTSA records. Check a specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

26V418000NHTSA report received June 2026Model years: 2024

NHTSA campaign 26V418000: Ford Mustang visibility recall

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Mustang and 2025-2026 Mustang GTD vehicles. 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.

Consequence: Windshield wipers or a washing system that fails to function as intended can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper motor as necessary, free of charge.

26V372000NHTSA report received June 2026Model years: 2019

NHTSA campaign 26V372000: Ford Mustang electrical system recall

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 19V076. At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Consequence: A blank instrument cluster that fails to display critical safety information, such as vehicle speed or safety system warnings, increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) software, free of charge.

25V695000NHTSA report received October 2025Model years: 2020

NHTSA campaign 25V695000: Ford Mustang back over prevention recall

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge.

25V689000NHTSA report received October 2025Model years: 2021–2023

NHTSA campaign 25V689000: Ford Mustang electrical system recall

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."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge.

25V614000NHTSA report received September 2025Model years: 2016–2017

NHTSA campaign 25V614000: Ford Mustang seat belts recall

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles. Water and road salt may corrode the front seat belt anchor pretensioner cables.

Consequence: A corroded cable can break, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining an occupant, and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will inspect and replace both front seat belt anchor pretensioner assemblies, as necessary.

25V572000NHTSA report received September 2025Model years: 2016–2019

NHTSA campaign 25V572000: Ford Mustang back over prevention recall

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Consequence: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge.

25V546000NHTSA report received August 2025Model years: 2024

NHTSA campaign 25V546000: Ford Mustang exterior lighting recall

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Mustang, and Mustang GTD vehicles. Water may enter the body control module and cause a loss of communication with the exterior lighting, including the license plate light, side marker, and tail lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence: License plate, side marker, and tail lights that fail to illuminate as intended can reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will inspect and seal the body seams as necessary.

25V516000NHTSA report received August 2025Model years: 2024

NHTSA campaign 25V516000: Ford Mustang electrical system recall

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling one 2024 Mustang vehicle that was repaired incorrectly under recall 24V802. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may not illuminate at startup or while driving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect."

Consequence: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): A dealer will update the instrument panel cluster software, free of charge.

25V455000NHTSA report received July 2025Model years: 2021–2022

NHTSA campaign 25V455000: Ford Mustang fuel system recall

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.

Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge.

25V442000NHTSA report received June 2025Model years: 2019–2023

NHTSA campaign 25V442000: Ford Mustang back over prevention recall

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge.

25V315000NHTSA report received May 2025Model years: 2024

NHTSA campaign 25V315000: Ford Mustang back over prevention recall

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.

Consequence: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge.

25V096000NHTSA report received February 2025Model years: 2022–2023

NHTSA campaign 25V096000: Ford Mustang steering recall

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.

Consequence: A steering wheel that turns unintentionally can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will update the power steering control module (PSCM) software, free of charge.

What does a pre-purchase inspection cover on a used Ford Mustang?

The same full inspection at every tier, at the seller’s location, with a photo-documented report:

Bronze $249 · Silver $349 · Gold $449. Compare Bronze, Silver and Gold. The core inspection is the same at each tier; Silver and Gold add instrumented measurements.

Similar used sports cars

Other sports cars to weigh against the Ford Mustang. Recall counts cover different model-year spans and are not a reliability ranking.

What does a pre-purchase inspection not do?

How inspections work · Sample reports · Customer reviews, verbatim from Google

Common questions about buying a used Ford Mustang

How many recalls does the Ford Mustang have?

As of NHTSA records retrieved 2026-08-27, NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns for the Ford Mustang, model years 2016–2024. A recall applies to specific VIN ranges, variants, trims or build dates, so a particular vehicle may be affected by all, some, or none of them, and a campaign count is not a reliability ranking. Whether an open recall is a safety risk depends on the campaign, so read the NHTSA entry for the VIN. Each campaign below shows the remedy NHTSA records, which may be a dealer or service-center repair, an over-the-air software update, or, for some campaigns, a repurchase. This page details the most recent campaigns; the full record for any VIN is at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What should an inspector check on a used Ford Mustang?

Beyond the standard pre-purchase checks, the recall history for this model concentrates in: electrical system, back over prevention, power train, air bags, service brakes, fuel system. An inspector documents the visible and operational condition of those systems without disassembly; internal parts, software-only issues and whether a recall remedy was performed are VIN-lookup questions, not inspection findings.

Can a pre-purchase inspection tell me whether a Ford Mustang recall was done?

No. Whether a recall repair was performed is recorded against the VIN, so NHTSA's lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls (or the manufacturer's own) is the authoritative check. Run it before you travel. The inspection covers what a VIN lookup cannot: the physical condition of the vehicle in front of you.

Can you inspect a Ford Mustang at a dealer, a private seller, or out of state?

Yes. The inspector usually travels to the vehicle at the seller's location — a dealer lot or a private seller — and you do not need to be there. Vehicle Inspectors dispatches an independent inspector within 50 miles of any US ZIP code, widening to 150 miles if needed; more remote locations are quoted case by case. You get a photo-documented PDF report in 24–48 hours.

How much does a Ford Mustang pre-purchase inspection cost?

A pre-purchase inspection of a Ford Mustang through Vehicle Inspectors: Bronze $249 · Silver $349 · Gold $449. Your card is saved at booking, not charged. A hold is placed when an inspector schedules, and you are charged after the inspection is completed. If no inspector accepts within 72 hours, the request auto-cancels and nothing is charged.

Where can I book a Ford Mustang pre-purchase inspection?

Vehicle Inspectors matches buyers with independent inspectors nationwide. Local pages for cities with active inspectors:

Recall data from NHTSA recall records (NHTSA public recalls API), retrieved 2026-08-27. Vehicle Inspectors is not affiliated with Ford. A recall is not a defect finding on any individual vehicle.

Inspect that Ford Mustang before you pay

A vetted independent inspector usually goes to the seller’s location and documents the actual condition. Bronze $249 · Silver $349 · Gold $449.

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