Used Ford Mustang Buyer's Guide (2015–2023)
Check the oil cooler hose, 10-speed and manual shift bulletins, 2022 to 2023 steering recall, seat belt cables and camera recalls.
Photo: MercurySable99, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. A representative example, not a car we inspected.
The sixth generation Mustang ran from 2015 to 2023 as a coupe or a convertible. It was the first Mustang with independent rear suspension, and there are a lot of them for sale. That means you can be picky, and you should be.
Early cars came with a 3.7L V6, a 2.3L EcoBoost turbo four or the 5.0L V8 in the GT. The V6 was gone after 2017. For 2018 Ford refreshed the car and swapped the 6-speed automatic for a 10-speed. A 6-speed manual was offered the whole run.
Recalls are spread across the years. The big ones cover an oil cooler hose on early cars, seat belt cables that can corrode on 2015 to 2017 cars, steering software on 2022 and 2023 cars, and a long list of backup camera fixes. Ford also has repair bulletins for harsh shifts in the 10-speed and broken shift forks in some 5.0L manuals. Many of these cars were driven hard, so the inspection matters as much as the VIN check.
- 3.7L V6 (2015 to 2017)
- 2.3L EcoBoost turbo 4-cyl
- 5.0L V8 (GT, Bullitt, Mach 1)
- 5.2L V8 (Shelby GT350)
Sixth generation (S550), 2015 to 2023, coupe and convertible, sold as model years 2015–2023.
| Engine | Years | Transmission | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7L V6 | 2015–2017 | 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic | The base engine until the 2018 refresh. |
| 2.3L EcoBoost turbo 4-cyl | 2015–2023 | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic (2015 to 2017) or 10-speed automatic (2018 on) | 2015 cars are in fuel tank heat recall 15V-339. |
| 5.0L V8 | 2015–2023 | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic (2015 to 2017) or 10-speed automatic (2018 on) | Used in the GT, Bullitt and Mach 1. Manual cars from 2018 to 2020 have shift fork and wheel hop bulletins. |
| 5.2L V8 (Shelby GT350) | 2016–2020 | 6-speed manual | A track focused model. Ask for track use and service records. |
- V6 Base model through 2017.
- EcoBoost and EcoBoost Premium The turbo four with more features on Premium.
- GT and GT Premium The 5.0L V8 cars, the most common enthusiast pick.
- California Special An appearance package on the GT.
- Bullitt A special 5.0L model for 2019 and 2020.
- Mach 1 A track minded 5.0L model from 2021 to 2023.
- Shelby GT350 The 5.2L V8 model. The Shelby GT500 is filed with NHTSA as its own model and is not covered here.
- 2018 The fewest recalls of any year in NHTSA's data (4) and 194 owner complaints, far fewer than 2015 to 2017. It is outside the oil cooler hose and seat belt cable recalls. Check the 10-speed roll pin recall 18V-213, and on 5.0L manuals the shift fork bulletins.
- 2021 Only 55 owner complaints and 6 recalls, and it is outside the 2022 to 2023 steering recall. Check the air bag recalls 21V-980 and 22V-083 and fuel pump recall 25V-455. Newer cars have had less time to pile up complaints.
- 2015 The first year has the most owner complaints (437) and the most recalls (11), including the oil cooler hose, seat belt cables with no final fix yet, 2.3L fuel tank heat, door latches and camera recalls.
- 2016 378 owner complaints, with engine the top complaint area (75), plus the oil cooler hose, seat belt cable and camera recalls.
- 2020 8 recalls, including the brake pedal bracket on automatics, the low brake fluid warning, cameras and Park warnings. 120 owner complaints.
- 2022 9 recalls, the most since 2015, including the steering recalls 24V-493 and 25V-096 and the Park bolt recall 23V-070. Steering tied for the top complaint area (8 of 50).
Picked from the recalls, bulletins and NHTSA complaint records below, not from a reliability rating. Any single car can be better or worse than its year.
NHTSA recall 16V-779 covers certain 2015 to 2017 Mustangs built from February 24, 2015 to August 30, 2016. A hose can come off the engine oil cooler tube and dump oil. A sudden loss of oil can ruin the engine, and leaking oil near a hot part can start a fire. Dealers replace the oil cooler tube for free. Separately, Ford bulletin 19-2309 says some 2015 to 2017 Mustangs with the 5.0L V8 can leak oil from the valve cover gaskets because the covers warp from heat. The fix adds fasteners to both valve covers.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for recall 16V-779, look for oil on the oil cooler lines, valve covers and under the engine, check the oil level, and listen to the engine cold and warm.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 16V-779 · Ford bulletin 19-2309: 2015 to 2017 Mustang 5.0L valve cover oil leak (on NHTSA)
From 2018 the automatic is a 10-speed. Ford has repair bulletins for harsh or delayed engagement and harsh or delayed shifts on 2018 to 2020 Mustangs (25-2475) and on 2021 and 2022 Mustangs built on or before August 15, 2022 (26-2226). A third bulletin (26-2408) covers harsh 3-4 and 4-5 upshifts and harsh reverse on 2022 and later Mustangs built from August 16, 2022, and says it can be worse when cold. Recalls also touch Park. On certain 2018 Mustangs a roll pin may be missing, so the car may not hold in Park (18V-213). On certain 2022 and 2023 Mustangs a loose bolt can keep the transmission from engaging Park (23V-070). Recalls 17V-814 and 20V-263 fixed missing or short warnings when the car is shut off out of Park.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for each recall, scan the transmission for stored codes, road test from a cold start for harsh shifts and slow engagement, and confirm the car holds in Park on a slope.
SOURCE Ford bulletin 25-2475: 10R80 harsh or delayed shifts, 2018 to 2020 Mustang (on NHTSA) · Ford bulletin 26-2226: 10R80 harsh or delayed shifts, 2021 and 2022 Mustang (on NHTSA) · Ford bulletin 26-2408: 10R80 harsh 3-4, 4-5 shifts and reverse (on NHTSA) · NHTSA recall 18V-213 · NHTSA recall 23V-070 · NHTSA recall 17V-814 · NHTSA recall 20V-263
Ford bulletin 22-2373 says some 2018 and 2019 Mustangs with the 5.0L V8 and the MT82 6-speed manual may not drive in first or second gear because of a broken 1-2 shift fork. Bulletin 22-2372 says some 2018 cars may not go into third and fourth because of a broken 3-4 shift fork. Bulletin 22-2302 says some 2018 to 2020 5.0L manual cars can lose drive or shift hard after wheel hop from hard launches with launch control. These are repair bulletins, not recalls or extended warranties.
WE CHECK We shift through every gear on the road test, feel for grinding, popping out or hard shifts, check clutch engagement, and ask for any transmission repair records.
SOURCE Ford bulletin 22-2373: MT82 1-2 shift fork, 2018 and 2019 5.0L (on NHTSA) · Ford bulletin 22-2372: MT82 3-4 shift fork, 2018 5.0L (on NHTSA) · Ford bulletin 22-2302: 2018 to 2020 5.0L manual wheel hop damage (on NHTSA)
NHTSA recall 24V-493 covers certain 2022 and 2023 Mustangs. A steering torque sensor may not be calibrated right, which can make the steering wheel turn side to side on its own. Dealers update the power steering software for free. Recall 25V-096 covers cars that were repaired wrong the first time under 24V-493 and gets them the update again.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for both recalls, scan the power steering module, and road test on a straight road and in turns, hands light on the wheel.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 24V-493 · NHTSA recall 25V-096 · NHTSA owner complaints, 2022 Ford Mustang · NHTSA owner complaints, 2023 Ford Mustang
NHTSA recall 20V-573 covers certain 2020 Mustangs with an automatic. The brake pedal bracket may crack during a hard stop, and dealers replace it. Recall 23V-727 covers certain 2020 to 2023 Mustangs whose low brake fluid warning light may not come on, and recall 25V-689 covers 2021 to 2023 cars repaired wrong under 23V-727. Dealers update the body control module software. Recall 22V-011 covers certain 2015 Mustangs ever sold or registered in Texas, Florida, Hawaii and other listed Gulf and Southeast states, where the brake pedal bumper can corrode and fall off.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for each brake recall, check brake fluid level and condition, test pedal feel, check that the brake lights go off when the pedal is released, and do several firm stops on the road test.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 20V-573 · NHTSA recall 23V-727 · NHTSA recall 25V-689 · NHTSA recall 22V-011
NHTSA recall 25V-614 covers certain 2015 to 2017 Mustangs. Water and road salt can corrode the front seat belt anchor pretensioner cables, and a corroded cable can break in a crash. Ford mailed interim letters in October 2025 and expects the final remedy in December 2026, so many cars may not have the full repair yet. Older recalls also covered the 2015 passenger seat belt buckle sensor (14V-649) and 2016 seat belts damaged in shipping (15V-707).
WE CHECK We check the VIN for open seat belt recalls, pull and latch both front belts, look at the belt anchors and carpet for rust or water, and tell you if the final fix for 25V-614 is still pending.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 25V-614 · NHTSA recall 14V-649 · NHTSA recall 15V-707
NHTSA recall 17V-529 covers certain 2017 Mustangs whose front passenger air bag inflator may rupture in a crash and throw metal pieces. Dealers replace the passenger air bag module. Recall 21V-980 covers certain 2021 Mustangs whose side curtain air bags may not inflate right. Recall 22V-083 covers certain 2021 and 2022 Mustangs with a weak weld on the passenger knee air bag. Dealers replace the air bags for free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for every air bag recall, confirm the air bag warning light comes on and goes out at start, and scan the restraint module for codes.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 17V-529 · NHTSA recall 21V-980 · NHTSA recall 22V-083
Several recalls cover a blank, distorted or flipped backup camera image. They include 22V-082 for certain 2015 to 2017 cars (decklid wiring), 25V-572 for certain 2015 to 2019 cars, 25V-695 for certain 2020 cars, and 25V-442 for a software fault on certain 2019 to 2023 cars. Ford program 25N15 adds a one-time camera replacement for 15 years from the warranty start date with unlimited miles on 2015 to 2019 Mustangs that pass the 25V-572 inspection. Recall 22V-382 covers certain 2019 and 2020 5.0L manual cars that can lose the camera, reverse lights and driver aids. Recall 19V-076 covers certain 2019 cars whose gauge cluster can go blank at start, and 26V-372 covers cars repaired wrong the first time.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for each camera and cluster recall, shift into reverse several times to watch the camera, check the reverse lights, and confirm the gauge cluster lights up on every start.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 22V-082 · NHTSA recall 25V-572 · NHTSA recall 25V-695 · NHTSA recall 25V-442 · Ford program 25N15: one-time rear camera replacement, 2015 to 2019 Mustang (on NHTSA) · NHTSA recall 22V-382 · NHTSA recall 19V-076 · NHTSA recall 26V-372
NHTSA recall 15V-339 covers certain 2015 Mustangs with the 2.3L EcoBoost. Heat under the car can wear out the fuel tank and vapor lines and the parking brake cable seals. Dealers add a new tank shield and heat wraps. Recall 14V-774 covers certain early 2015 cars with a fuel pressure sensor that may not be seated, which can leak fuel. Recall 25V-455 covers certain 2021 and 2022 Mustangs whose low pressure fuel pump may fail and stall the engine. For the Mustang the fix is a powertrain control module software update.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for each fuel recall, smell for fuel, look at the tank shield, lines and parking brake cable, and test the parking brake on a slope.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 15V-339 · NHTSA recall 14V-774 · NHTSA recall 25V-455
NHTSA recall 16V-643 covers certain 2015 Mustangs whose door latch can break so the door may not stay shut. Recall 20V-331 covers cars where that latch repair may not have been done right, and dealers check the latch date codes. Recall 17V-168 covers certain 2017 Mustangs whose driver door handle spring can come loose and let the door open in a side crash. Ford bulletin 22-2242 says some 2015 to 2022 Mustangs can leak water onto the front carpet from a loose A-pillar seal.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for the latch recalls, open and close every door and check that each latches firmly, and feel the front carpet and look under the mats for water or stains.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 16V-643 · NHTSA recall 20V-331 · NHTSA recall 17V-168 · Ford bulletin 22-2242: 2015 to 2022 Mustang A-pillar water leak (on NHTSA)
- Check the VIN for open recalls, especially oil cooler, seat belts, steering and air bags.
- Look for oil leaks at the oil cooler lines and valve covers.
- Scan the engine, transmission, steering and restraint modules for codes.
- Road test from cold for harsh 10-speed shifts, or shift every gear in a manual.
- Feel for the steering pulling or moving on its own on 2022 and 2023 cars.
- Test the backup camera, reverse lights and gauge cluster.
- Latch every door and seat belt and check the front carpet for water.
- Look underneath for signs of hard use, aftermarket parts and rust at the belt anchors.
- Proof recall 16V-779 (oil cooler tube) was done on 2015 to 2017 cars.
- The status of seat belt recall 25V-614 on 2015 to 2017 cars, since the final fix was expected in December 2026.
- Steering software from recalls 24V-493 and 25V-096 on 2022 and 2023 cars.
- Any transmission work, including 10-speed bulletin repairs or MT82 shift fork repairs.
- Rear camera repairs under the camera recalls or Ford program 25N15.
- Regular oil changes, plus records of track days, launches or modifications.
Each year has its own guide. The engines, the transmission, and what changed that year.
A TSB is a note the maker sends to dealers about a known fix. They are not recalls. We check the bulletins so we know what to look for:
Cold-start noise, drivability, and idle issues for this vehicle. We test for each.
Shift quality and transmission fluid updates. We drive every gear.
Locks, wipers, infotainment, and trim items. Small, but good to know.
Bulletins stay with the maker, so we pull the current list for this exact vehicle during the inspection and tell you what applies.
Found a Ford Mustang you like? A pre purchase inspection checks every trouble spot above on the car you are buying.
What years is the S550 Mustang?
What is the Mustang oil cooler recall?
Does the Mustang 10-speed have problems?
Is there a recall on the Mustang seat belts?
Why does my 2022 Mustang steering wheel move by itself?
Is the Shelby GT500 covered in this guide?
Which used Mustang years are best?
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