Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 265 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Back over prevention | 52 | 20% |
| Structure | 22 | 8% |
| Engine | 18 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 18 | 7% |
| Power train | 15 | 6% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 15 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 12 | 5% |
| Structure | 11 | 4% |
| Air bags | 7 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while reversing, the third brake light failed to function as intended. In addition, the rear-view camera flashed on and off. The contact replaced the third br
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
Was driving, all the sudden I heard a pop and a little bit of smoke and the smell of burning plastic came from under passenger seat. Pulled over, noticed it was coming from electrical harness under seat that controls the
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed smoke on the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated that the smoke became heavy on the interio
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Horn when first pushed does not work....Push it 3-4 times rapidly and it works fine...Intermittent....Yesterday a kid not paying attn pulled out in front of me on a bicycle....I hit the horn, horn did not work, came sooo
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Our 2017 has had an ongoing problem through the years with the passenger door opening at speed. Sometimes going 70 mph on the interstate. Lately it has happened more and more. Yesterday, my wife called me at work, very u
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger's side seat belts were seizing. The occupants were concerned about being stuck inside the vehicle. There were no warning lights ill
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
This is a Mustang convertible. The doors would be open all of the sudden when the car is running especially on highway. It's not wide open but ajar. The wind would blow into the car, noisy and scary. Both doors have this
NHTSA complaint: Structure
While driving my recently purchased 2017 Ford Mustang Convertible from Florida to North Carolina, the passenger-side door repeatedly unlocked and partially opened while the vehicle was traveling at interstate speeds. Thi
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2017 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 model year 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles manufactured February 24, 2015, to August 30, 2016. A hose may separate from the engine oil cooler tube assembly causing an oil leak.
Risk: A sudden loss of engine oil may cause engine failure, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, an oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil cooler tube assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 23, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 F-150 and Mustang vehicles. The air bag inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may rupture in the event of a crash.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Mustang vehicles. The return spring for the driver side interior door handle may come loose, allowing the driver's door to unlatch in a side impact crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle
Risk: If the door unlatches in a crash it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver-side interior door handle and repair the return spring, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2017. Owners may contact
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera wiring may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the decklid wiring harness and/or replace the rearview camera, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2022 and June 26, 2023
| Reliability | 57 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | good |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 96 | excellent |
| Performance | 65 | good |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
| Safety | 100 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 265 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and back over prevention is the most reported area with 52 of them (20%). 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 2017 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. 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.