Makes›Ford›Mustang›2026

2026 Ford Mustang

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.

Ford Mustang
Pictured: Ford Mustang VII GT Rutesheimer Autoschau 2025 DSC 9234. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Subcompact Cars
Body styles
2dr Coupe Darkhorse, Ecoboost 2dr Convertible, Ecoboost 2dr Coupe, GT 2dr Convertible
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 5.0L 8-cyl, 5.2L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
26 combined · 22 city / 33 hwy
Length
189.4 in
Curb weight
3,587–3,990 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

  • 5 recallsMore than similar models (about 0). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2026 Ford Mustang is a subcompact car offered with 3 engines (2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 5.0L 8-cyl and 5.2L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 189 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,949 lb (2dr Coupe Darkhorse).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (22 city / 33 highway), 8% better than the 2026 subcompact car average of 24 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2026

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2025 Mustang — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 Mustang →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–2.3L 4-cyl
Engine–5.0L 8-cyl

Trims

I4GT

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Rear cross-traffic alertStandard
Rear automatic brakingStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes

Built in: Flatrock, Michigan

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2026 Mustang configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Coupe Darkhorse189.4 in75.6 in55.1 in107.1 in62.2 / 63.8 in3,949 lb54/46
Ecoboost 2dr Convertible189.4 in75.6 in55.1 in107.1 in61.8 / 64.6 in3,741 lb52/48
Ecoboost 2dr Coupe189.4 in75.6 in55.1 in107.1 in61.8 / 64.6 in3,587 lb50/50
GT 2dr Convertible189.4 in75.6 in55.1 in107.1 in61.8 / 64.6 in3,990 lb53/47
GT 2dr Coupe189.4 in75.6 in55.1 in107.1 in61.8 / 64.6 in3,827 lb53/47

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Mustang2.3L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 10-spdRear-Wheel Drive22 / 33 / 26+8%$2,600341
Mustang5.0L 8-cylAutomatic (S10)Rear-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19-21%$3,550468
Mustang5.0L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 23 / 18-25%$3,700494
Mustang Dark Horse5.0L 8-cylAutomatic (S10)Rear-Wheel Drive14 / 22 / 17-29%$3,950525
Mustang Dark Horse5.0L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 22 / 17-29%$3,950533
Mustang GTD5.2L 8-cylAutomatic (AM-S8)Rear-Wheel Drive10 / 17 / 12-50%$6,850741
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24 MPG2026 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Ford Mustang.

Similar 2026 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2026 Ford Mustang (this car)26 MPGNot rated5
2026 Toyota Mirai–Not rated0

Recalls (5)

Electrical System › Wiring · Aug 25, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V547000 · 148,663 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Mustang vehicles. The engine compartment wiring harness ground connections may fracture and result in a loss of drive power, or a loss of function in the windshield washing system, headlights, air conditioning, or engine cooling fan. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," and 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
Risk
A loss of driver power increases the risk of a crash. In addition, a loss of headlight function or windshield washing system function can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the engine compartment wiring harness ground terminals, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in March 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 28, 2026.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical · Aug 25, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V548000 · 10,001 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
Risk
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 28, 2026.
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor · Jun 30, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V418000 · 67,994 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
Windshield wipers or a washing system that fails to function as intended can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the wiper motor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C32. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 2, 2026.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical · Mar 31, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V205000 · 278 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles. The engine piston circlips may have been incorrectly installed during manufacturing, which can result in piston failure and engine damage, leading to a loss of drive power.
Risk
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or mis-installed circlips and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S23. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.
Engine · Dec 1, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V828000 · 6 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
Risk
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a fire. In addition, the loss of oil can result in engine seizure and loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still within dealership inventory and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 24, 2025.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2026 Ford Mustang is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

8Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
2,500 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine3
Service Brakes2
Electrical System2
Visibility/Wiper1
Unknown Or Other1
Power Train1
Wheels1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
26/05: 126/06: 226/07: 226/09: 326/0526/0626/0726/09max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Other Mustang years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2025 Mustang26189.4 in★★★★★619
2024 Mustang26189.4 in★★★★★1284
2023 Mustang25188.2 inNot rated615
2022 Mustang25188.2 in★★★★★950
2021 Mustang25188.2 in★★★★★655
2020 Mustang25188.2 in★★★★★8121
2019 Mustang25188.2 in★★★★★6151
2018 Mustang25188.2 in★★★★★3196
2017 Mustang24188.2 in★★★★★6268
2016 Mustang25188.2 inNot rated5380
2015 Mustang25188.2 inNot rated11437
2014 Mustang23188.2 inNot rated3335

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →