Ford Mustang: FAQs

For a model dating back over six generations to 1964, the Ford Mustang has surprisingly few recurring problems.

Common issues for earlier models were worn outer tie-rod ends, broken camshaft sensor mounts, failed upper suspension bushings, faulty mass air flow sensors and leaky rocker cover and inlet manifold gaskets – all relatively minor issues.

However, few real problems have been reported for the latest (sixth-generation) and first global Ford Mustang, which was released in Australia in December 2015.

Since then it has been subject to just one safety recall.

On March 9, 2017 Ford Australia recalled 1391 examples of the Ford Mustang GT built between May 27, 2015 and March 1, 2016 to increase the clearance between the battery cable wiring loom and the exhaust manifold. The move aimed to reduce the risk of fire in the engine bay, which there had been no reports of at the time of the recall.

Two-and-a-half years after its Australian launch, the Ford Mustang GT came in for a significant upgrade for the 2018 model year in June of that year.

Accompanied by a base price rise to $62,990, the MY18 Ford Mustang GT brought an upgraded 5.0-litre V8 with both port and direct injection, increased bore size (increasing displacement to 5038cc) and outputs of 339kW and 556Nm – 33kW/26Nm.

There were also suspension and electric steering revisions, more safety features, an updated exterior design and an upgraded interior with better infotainment, digital instruments and more soft-touch surfaces, plus the option of a 10-speed automatic transmission, Magneride dampers and Recaro seats.

That makes any Ford Mustang GT from MY18 onwards the best to buy, but beware the MY20 version brought next to no changes but another base price hike, this time to $64,190.

The Ford Mustang is not dangerous, but it was awarded a sub-standard three-star ANCAP safety rating (up from two-star) when the MY18 version was released in June 2018.

The upgrade to three stars was due in part to the fitment of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assistance, and improvements to its airbag deployment.

“Structurally, however, the revised Ford Mustang is identical to the Mustang we originally rated, meaning it still falls short of our expectations in the areas of adult occupant and child occupant protection,” said ANCAP at the time.

In November 2019, Ford announced price increases for the mildly updated 2020 Ford Mustang range, with the V8-powered GT Fastback (coupe) manual priced at $63,690 and the automatic version at $66,600, both plus on-road costs.

Since then the prices for both V8 models have crept up further, to $64,190 plus ORCs for the manual Fastback GT and $75,025 for the manual convertible at the time of writing.

When the sixth-generation Ford Mustang arrived in Australia in mid-2015, the base was $44,990 for the four-cylinder Fastback EcoBoost (plus $3500 for the auto and $6500 for the auto-only convertible) and $54,990 plus ORCs for the V8 GT.

But after several price rises, the cheapest MY20 Ford Mustang now costs at least $51,490 (Fastback EcoBoost manual), the cheapest GT coupe is now $64,190 and the cheapest GT convertible will set you back $75,025, all plus ORCs.