Short answer: The biggest problems actual owners have reported on the 2023 Ford Mustang are steering system defects, brake failures tied to a faulty warning light, and unexpected engine stalling or throttle loss. Steering issues are the most common of the group. NHTSA has logged 15 individual owner complaints against the 2023 Mustang, several of which describe actual crashes.
Electrical system and service brake complaints are also on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though in smaller numbers than the steering-related reports.
Common 2023 Ford Mustang Problems
2023 Ford Mustang Steering Problems
Owners have reported the steering wheel moving on its own, tied to a sensor calibration error inside the steering gear.
Secondary Steering Torque Sensor Miscalibration
- Severity: Severe. Ford stated that a fault in the primary steering torque sensor could cause the electric power steering system to provide unintended assist, making the steering wheel oscillate side to side without driver input. This raises the risk of a crash, particularly at higher speeds.
- Manufacturer’s Response: Ford issued Safety Recall 24S44 / NHTSA Campaign 24V-493 for 2022-2023 model year Mustangs built between September 15, 2022, and April 5, 2023, covering roughly 30,735 vehicles. A follow-up recall, NHTSA Campaign 25V-096, was later issued for vehicles that had not actually received the correct fix even though Ford’s records showed the repair as complete.
- Fix: Dealers update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software at no cost to the owner.
2023 Ford Mustang Brake System Problems
Owners have reported that the low brake fluid warning light does not always turn on when it should.
Brake Fluid Level Sensor / Warning Light Failure
- Severity: Severe. Without a working low brake fluid warning light, a driver may continue operating the vehicle without knowing that brake fluid is low, which can reduce braking performance and increase stopping distance. Owner complaints on file describe this progressing to full brake failure in at least two cases.
- Manufacturer’s Response: Ford issued NHTSA Campaign 23V-727 in October 2023 for 2020-2023 model year Mustangs, citing a failure of the brake fluid level sensor to activate the dashboard warning indicator, in violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 135. A second recall was issued in October 2025 after some 2021-2023 Mustangs were found to have been repaired incorrectly under the original campaign.
- Fix: Dealers reprogram the body control module (BCM) software at no cost to the owner.
2023 Ford Mustang Engine Stalling and Throttle Complaints
Separate from the recalls above, several owners have described the engine losing power or failing to respond to the accelerator, without warning, while driving.
Unexpected Stalling and Delayed Throttle Response
- Severity: Severe. NHTSA complaints describe the accelerator pedal briefly stopping response mid-intersection before the vehicle suddenly surged forward, and a separate case of the engine shutting off at a stop sign with no warning light. Losing engine power in moving traffic is a recognized crash risk.
- Manufacturer’s Response: No recall has been issued for this specific pattern as of this writing. In one complaint on file, Ford’s own diagnostic tests reportedly did not confirm a fault, and the dealer was told to wait for the part to fail completely before it would be replaced under warranty.
- Fix: No official Ford remedy exists yet. Owners experiencing this symptom should have the throttle body and related sensors diagnosed at a dealer and file a complaint with NHTSA to help build the case for a future recall.
Issues Experienced by 2023 Mustang Drivers
NHTSA’s complaint database currently lists 15 owner-submitted complaints specifically for the 2023 Ford Mustang coupe. The complaints below can be viewed on NHTSA’s 2023 Ford Mustang complaints page.
A Syracuse, NY owner braking at roughly 20 mph reported that “the vehicle failed to stop causing them to crash into a nearby apartment building.” The airbags did not deploy and the vehicle was declared a total loss. The owner had received the recall notice for the brake fluid warning system, but the repair part was not yet available at the time of the crash.
A North Carolina owner wrote that “my steering wheel turned to the right all of a sudden” and caused the vehicle to strike a curb, blowing a tire and damaging the wheel.
A 2023 Mustang EcoBoost Premium Convertible owner listed “Small Back Seat” as the vehicle’s only con in their review, with no other complaint elaborated on in the written portion of the review.
Several other NHTSA complaints describe owners being notified of an open recall only to learn that the repair part was not yet available, in some cases for months, leaving the underlying safety defect unaddressed in the meantime.
Legal Options for Defective Vehicle Owners
Lemon laws protect consumers when a manufacturer cannot repair a substantial vehicle defect within a reasonable number of attempts during the warranty period.
If a defect significantly affects the vehicle’s use, value, or safety, the owner may be entitled to a refund, replacement vehicle, or financial compensation. Repeated trips to the dealership for the same unresolved problem, along with extended time spent out of service, are common warning signs worth paying attention to.
A vehicle does not need to be completely inoperable to qualify. A steering defect that required more than one recall attempt to fix, a brake warning system that failed to alert the driver before a crash, or a recall repair that was simply unavailable for months could all support a potential claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest complaint about the 2023 Ford Mustang?
The most common reported problem is a steering system defect involving a miscalibrated torque sensor that can cause the steering wheel to move unintentionally, covered under NHTSA recall campaigns 24V-493 and 25V-096. Several owners have also reported brake failures tied to recall 23V-727, including at least two crashes.
Do 2023 Ford Mustang owners report engine stalling?
Yes. Owners have filed NHTSA complaints describing the engine losing power or shutting off without warning, including one case at an intersection and another at a stop sign, with no dashboard warning light in either instance.
Have there been any crashes linked to 2023 Ford Mustang defects?
Yes. NHTSA’s complaint database includes at least three 2023 Mustang crash reports where owners describe brake or steering failures matching the conditions covered by recalls 23V-727 and 24V-493, including one case where the vehicle was declared a total loss.
Get Legal Help From Consumer Action Law Group
If your 2023 Ford Mustang keeps having the same steering, brake, or stalling problem despite repair attempts, you may have a valid claim under California’s lemon law.
Consumer Action Law Group has helped California consumers recover millions of dollars from manufacturers, including Ford.
Contact Consumer Action Law Group today for a free consultation, or fill out our contact form to get started.
