Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (33.7% of complaints) — is covered by 5 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 4.0× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 158 · 33.7% | Recalled | Recall 19V001000 · Recall 17V024000 · Recall 15V319000 · Recall 21V081000 · Recall 21E013000 |
| Power Train | 157 · 33.5% | Recalled | Recall 16V248000 · Recall 12V190000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 35 · 7.5% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 30 · 6.4% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 21 · 4.5% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:manual Transmission | 20 · 4.3% | Recalled | Recall 16V248000 · Recall 12V190000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 469 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 19V001000 · 2019 · reported 01/07/2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V024000 · 2017 · reported 01/10/2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V319000 · 2015 · reported 05/28/2015
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V248000 · 2016 · reported 04/27/2016
An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V190000 · 2012 · reported 05/03/2012
IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE R POSITION AND THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE R MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 21V081000 · 2021 · reported 02/16/2021
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 21E013000 · 2021 · reported 02/16/2021
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE…”NHTSA complaint 10545548 — filed 09/26/2013 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
“MY DAUGHTER'S 2012 MUSTANG WOULD LOSE POWER AT AROUND 40 MPH WHEN ACCELERATING. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD LIGHT UP AND THE CAR WOULD IDLE VERY…”NHTSA complaint 10545603 — filed 09/26/2013 · POWER TRAIN
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A THUMPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SPECIALIST…”NHTSA complaint 10544351 — filed 09/19/2013 · SUSPENSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 158 of 469 NHTSA complaints (33.7%), followed by power train (157), vehicle speed control (35), engine (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
469 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 20 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V001000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
