Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 261 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Ford Mustang, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 170 | 65% |
| Structure | 16 | 6% |
| Power train | 7 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 1% |
| Suspension | 3 | 1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 1% |
| Power train | 2 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The radio is constantly draining the battery with no way to prevent this. This leaves me to constantly have to replace the battery due to being damaged.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The car make a ticking noise when you turn the air or heat on it’s been going on 3 years now
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Airbag deployed while stopped in traffic on the 91 east freeway.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I was on my way to go do a clients hair on dec 1 2022 I was tragically hit by the airbag at a 2,000 force pressure My left side of my jaw is in pain As well as my skull I also have a condition on my chest musculoskel
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
When vehicle is placed in park while on, vehicle rolls forward . Put vehicle in park on the side of the road to answer a phone call. Was pulled up behind another vehicle and car rolled forward, and rear ended vehicle in
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I was simply going up a slight hill and the wrench light turned on I lost power she still accelerated but sluggish and changing gears was sluggish too. Turned it off at the house made sure my CAI was good and the light i
NHTSA complaint: Power train
MY CAR IS AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT PLANET FORD IN SPRING, TX. I NOTICED A SMELL OF GASOLINE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION WHEN I HAD THE PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL DONE. I SPECIAL ORDERED THE VEHICLE IN THE S
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I GOT INTO A WRECK WITH A VEHICLE THAT PAST A STOP SIGN HITTING ME AT 120MPH. THE AIRBAG IN THE DRIVERS SEAT EXPLODED IMMEDIATELY. I HAD MY MUSTANG SERVICE IN GALVESTON FORD DEALERSHIP FOR MY AIRBAGS WITHIN A YEAR. LUCKI
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2010 Ford Mustang. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Vi
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The reca
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as
Risk: 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
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also i
Risk: 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
Fix: Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford custome
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Vir
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Owners ma
| Reliability | 57 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | good |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 96 | excellent |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 261 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 170 of them (65%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 57/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 68/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2010 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.