FORD MUSTANG · model year

2009 FORD MUSTANG

215 NHTSA complaints, 34 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009FORDMUSTANG carries 215 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 34 crashes, 4 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 MUSTANG is air bags with 133 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (21) and electrical system (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2009 MUSTANG, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

215
Complaints
34
Crashes
4
Fires
13
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

215 filings

Crashes Reported

34 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS133
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
SERVICE BRAKES5
POWER TRAIN4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
SUSPENSION4
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION3
STEERING3
STRUCTURE:BODY3
ENGINE3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
TIRES2
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW2
STRUCTURE2

Recalls (6)

16V38400031/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever register

15V31900028/05/2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2014 Mustang vehicles manufactured April 6, 2004, to June 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 GT vehicles manufactured February 20, 2004, to September 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be

21E01300016/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

21V08100016/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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

18V04600011/01/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

17V02400010/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marian

Recent Complaints

20231113ENGINE

The clutch/flywheel/ and or other components of the drive train/engine/transmission connection are faulty and are known to fail for the 2007-2009 Shelby Ford Mustang GT 500 as documented in the numerous Ford Technical Service Bullitens (TSB). This vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Late this summer (2023), I was driving this vehicle with my kids in the car and attempting to merge on the entry ramp for the expressway. I experienced a sudden loss of acceleration and the RPMs immediately "redlined". I had to pull over to the shoulder of the expressway so I would not be rear-ended. I researched this issue and found hundreds of posts on Mustang forums documenting this known issue and the TSB issued by Ford. I have reached out to Ford directly and had my vehicle inspected at a Ford Dealership. The Ford Dealership indicated the issues were consistent with the known defective parts. There were zero warnings either by warning lights or symptoms and I am just fortunate to

20231113VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The clutch/flywheel/ and or other components of the drive train/engine/transmission connection are faulty and are known to fail for the 2007-2009 Shelby Ford Mustang GT 500 as documented in the numerous Ford Technical Service Bullitens (TSB). This vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Late this summer (2023), I was driving this vehicle with my kids in the car and attempting to merge on the entry ramp for the expressway. I experienced a sudden loss of acceleration and the RPMs immediately "redlined". I had to pull over to the shoulder of the expressway so I would not be rear-ended. I researched this issue and found hundreds of posts on Mustang forums documenting this known issue and the TSB issued by Ford. I have reached out to Ford directly and had my vehicle inspected at a Ford Dealership. The Ford Dealership indicated the issues were consistent with the known defective parts. There were zero warnings either by warning lights or symptoms and I am just fortunate to

20231113POWER TRAIN

The clutch/flywheel/ and or other components of the drive train/engine/transmission connection are faulty and are known to fail for the 2007-2009 Shelby Ford Mustang GT 500 as documented in the numerous Ford Technical Service Bullitens (TSB). This vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Late this summer (2023), I was driving this vehicle with my kids in the car and attempting to merge on the entry ramp for the expressway. I experienced a sudden loss of acceleration and the RPMs immediately "redlined". I had to pull over to the shoulder of the expressway so I would not be rear-ended. I researched this issue and found hundreds of posts on Mustang forums documenting this known issue and the TSB issued by Ford. I have reached out to Ford directly and had my vehicle inspected at a Ford Dealership. The Ford Dealership indicated the issues were consistent with the known defective parts. There were zero warnings either by warning lights or symptoms and I am just fortunate to

20220706AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V319000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

20220622AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2009 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V081000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list as he no longer owns the vehicle. The local dealer and the manufacturer were contacted. The VIN was unavailable.

20200614AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON

Mileage: 194,241

20200614SEATS

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON

Mileage: 194,241

20200228ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN IT RAINS, WATER IS LEAKING UNDER THE WINDSHIELD INTO THE DUCT WORK AND ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. HEAVY RAINS HAVE CAUSED AS MUCH AS 5 INCHES OF WATER TO LAY ON PASSENGER FLOOR. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED THE SMART JUNCTION BOX TO MALFUNCTION AND CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. I NOW HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW BOX AND HAVE IT PROGRAMMED, WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I HAVE READ ARTICLES ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER 2009 MUSTANGS. FORD HAS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. NOT ONLY IS IT EXPENSIVE TO FIX, IT ALSO IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE TO IGNITE WITHIN THE CAR. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.

Mileage: 100,000

20200207SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THREE TIMES WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SWAY BAR AND THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, DAYS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAFE TECH AUTO GLASS- JOE MYERS FORD 16634 NORTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77040 WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20191126TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG EQUIPPED WITH COOPER ZEON R53-61R20 TIRES, SIZE: 255/40/ZR19-XL (NA). WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE ENTIRE CROWN AT THE MIDDLE OF REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS SPLIT AND DETACHED. THE CONTACT WAS ASSISTED IN CHANGING THE TIRE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONTACT CALLED MARVIS DISCOUNT TIRE CENTER AND WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE HE DID NOT PURCHASE THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SERVICE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HIM. THE TIRE CENTER SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT CALL THE TIRE MANUFACTURER (COOPER TIRES). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF THE CONTACT TOOK THE TIRE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD POSSIBLY REFUND THE COST OF THE TIRE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT HE HAD THREE MORE COOPER TIRES THAT COULD HAVE THE

Mileage: 57,944

20191106CrashSERVICE BRAKES

MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2009 MUSTANG AND AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, HE SLOWLY ACCELERATED AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED QUICKLY ON ITS OWN. HE SAID THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, HE TRIED PUSHING BRAKE AND IT WAS NOT STOPPING THE CAR. IT SENT HIM THROUGH ANOTHER INTERSECTION, HE ENGAGED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO NO AVAIL. LUCKILY HIS CAR WENT THROUGH AN AREA OF SOGGY GRASS THAT HELPED SLOW THE CAR DOWN, AND CAME TO A STOP BY RUNNING INTO HEDGES AND RESTING NEXT TO A BRICK CHURCH. HE DESCRIBED HEARING THE RPM'S REVVING UP ALONG WITH THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. HE ALSO DESCRIBED THE STEERING WHEEL AS "LOCKING UP".

Mileage: 111,000

20191106CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2009 MUSTANG AND AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, HE SLOWLY ACCELERATED AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED QUICKLY ON ITS OWN. HE SAID THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, HE TRIED PUSHING BRAKE AND IT WAS NOT STOPPING THE CAR. IT SENT HIM THROUGH ANOTHER INTERSECTION, HE ENGAGED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO NO AVAIL. LUCKILY HIS CAR WENT THROUGH AN AREA OF SOGGY GRASS THAT HELPED SLOW THE CAR DOWN, AND CAME TO A STOP BY RUNNING INTO HEDGES AND RESTING NEXT TO A BRICK CHURCH. HE DESCRIBED HEARING THE RPM'S REVVING UP ALONG WITH THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. HE ALSO DESCRIBED THE STEERING WHEEL AS "LOCKING UP".

Mileage: 111,000

20191106CrashSTEERING

MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2009 MUSTANG AND AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, HE SLOWLY ACCELERATED AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED QUICKLY ON ITS OWN. HE SAID THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, HE TRIED PUSHING BRAKE AND IT WAS NOT STOPPING THE CAR. IT SENT HIM THROUGH ANOTHER INTERSECTION, HE ENGAGED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO NO AVAIL. LUCKILY HIS CAR WENT THROUGH AN AREA OF SOGGY GRASS THAT HELPED SLOW THE CAR DOWN, AND CAME TO A STOP BY RUNNING INTO HEDGES AND RESTING NEXT TO A BRICK CHURCH. HE DESCRIBED HEARING THE RPM'S REVVING UP ALONG WITH THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. HE ALSO DESCRIBED THE STEERING WHEEL AS "LOCKING UP".

Mileage: 111,000

20191104POWER TRAIN

SERVO ON TRANSMISSION PUSHED SNAP OUT OF RETAINING GROOVE CAUSING LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED.SERVO PUSHED OUT OF TRANS,CAR ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL THAN LURCHED AHEAD ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 119,222

20190820CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

RANDOM ACCELERATION. BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPACE , PUT CAR IN DRIVE AND PRESSED ACCELERATOR TO MOVE FORWARD. ACCELERATION INCREASED ON ITS OWN. REMOVED FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR, PRESSED THE BRAKE. ACCELERATION CONTINUED TO INCREASE, HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD.. ACCELERATOR CONTINUED TO INCREASE ON ITS OWN. (COULDN'T STOP VEHICLE) HIT A CURB AND FLIPPED THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 80,000

20190630UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PULLED UP A DRIVEWAY AND PUT MY 2009 FORD MUSTANG IN PARK, STARTED ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN. WOULD DECELERATE AFTER PRESSING AND RELEASING THE GAS PEDAL BUT WOULD START ACCELERATING AGAIN ON IT'S OWN. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WHEN RESTARTED ACTED AND DROVE FINE. HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY FORD. VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 138,000

20181204AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V024000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER (ACADEMY FORD, 13401 BALTIMORE AVE, LAUREL, MD 20707, 877-894-4901) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CONTINUE TO CALL THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20181109AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER (FRANK FLETCHER FORD, 3015 TURKEY CREEK RD, JOPLIN, MO 64801, 417-317-5299) STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. MORE THAN THREE WEEKS AGO, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO ORDER THE PART. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED OF A LOANER VEHICLE OPTION OR IF THE PART HAD ARRIVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20181108AIR BAGS

RECEIVED URGENT AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL- TRIED CALLING TO SET UP APPOINTMENT AT DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS A BRANDED TITLE AND CANNOT REPAIR IT.

20180921AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V024000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Compare 2009FORDMUSTANG to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 FORD MUSTANG have?
The 2009 FORD MUSTANG has 215 NHTSA complaints, 34 crashes, 4 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 FORD MUSTANG?
Yes, the 2009 FORD MUSTANG has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 FORD MUSTANG?
The most-complained component for the 2009 FORD MUSTANG is AIR BAGS with 133 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2009 FORD MUSTANG safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.