Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.If you are in the market for an affordable sports car, the Ford Mustang usually makes the shortlist. With many of its closest rivals no longer in production, it is up against a broad cross-section of rivals from the diminutive Mazda Miata to the Toyota GR86 and pricey BMW 2 Series. But none of these models are truly direct rivals to this American icon, and with the availability of a naturally aspirated V8 and a manual transmission, the Mustang still offers a unique driving experience.But even in the sports car world, a vehicle like the Mustang still needs to be reliable, especially since it is practical enough to do the school run and shopping trips in-between weekend blasts on twisty roads. We consulted J.D. Power's quality and reliability data as well as Consumer Reports' predicted reliability metrics to see whether the Mustang has proven itself to be a reliable vehicle over the past 6 years.The Ford MustangFordView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleFord Mustang ModelEnginePowerTorque0–60 mphBase MSRPEcoBoost Fastback2.3-liter turbo inline-four315 hp350 lb-ft5.5 sec est$33,490GT Fastback5.0-liter V8480 hp415 lb-ft4.3 sec est$47,795Dark Horse SC5.2L Supercharged V8795 hp660 lb-ft3.2 sec est$106,585The Mustang range spans from the affordable EcoBoost through the V8-powered GT models culminating in the Dark Horse and Dark Horse SC variants. With prices spanning several different sports car segments, there is a Mustang out there to suit just about every occasion. The current generation has been on sale since 2024, and aside from updates to the 2.3-liter turbo and 5.0-liter V8 engines, there have been several improvements to the chassis and infotainment system as well. Both generations have had their fair share of high-performance and special edition models, with the 5.2-liter supercharged Dark Horse currently topping the range.AdvertisementAdvertisementWe looked at both the old S550 and new S650 generation models to see how they have performed in terms of reliability.Mustang ReliabilityFordView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleMustang Model YearCR Predicted Reliability2020 (Previous Gen)77/1002021 (Previous Gen)45/1002022 (Previous Gen)42/1002023 (Previous Gen)60/100202440/100202563/100202650/100Consumer Reports looks into longer term reliability performance, and its annual surveys assess real-world driver feedback to gauge vehicle reliability without external influences from manufacturers or advertisers. Based on the data above, the Mustang has generally proven to be above average overall, aside from a few years where the scores dipped into the 40s.When the current S650 generation was introduced, the reliability dropped for the first year and this is usually due to early production niggles. 2025 was much improved but the scores for 2026 trail other two-door sporty coupes like the BMW 2 and 4 Series, as well as the Toyota GR 86/Subaru BRZ. Yes, these aren't direct competitors, but they do compete for the same customer base.BMWView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe most common complaints by Mustang owners have been problems with the in-car electronics, such as infotainment screen freezes, and rough low-speed shifting on the 10-speed automatic transmissions. The 2026 Mustang has been recalled three times by the NHTSA , two regarding the engine and one for faulty windshield wipers. All S650 models can suffer from engine grounding issues which may result in a loss of power, headlight functionality or cooling fan malfunctions, but the recalls and running production changes should have sorted this out for upcoming models.Mustang Model YearJ.D. Power Quality and Reliability Score2020 (Previous Gen)87/100 (Great)2021 (Previous Gen)N/A2022 (Previous Gen)N/A2023 (Previous Gen)84/100 (Great)202479/100 (Average)202585/100 (Great)202685/100 (Great)J.D. Power studies measure the number of mechanical and design problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days of ownership called and Initial Quality Study and then conducts a longer term Vehicle Dependability Study after three years of ownership. With most quality and reliability scores falling into the 'Great' category, both the S550 and S650 have performed well overall. The lower 79/100 'Average' score for 2024 reflects the same early production gremlins that the CR study revealed, and the J.D. Power data shows that the more recent model years are more reliable.Are Mustangs Reliable?FordWhile analyzing the data above provides a good overview from a broad range of owners; specific models, driving style and model year can all heavily influence overall reliability. While Mustangs fitted with EcoBoost engines provide impressive performance and have been in use since 2015, highly modified examples are more likely to have issues than stock engines, and the lower stressed V8s in the GT models are also likely to last longer whether stock or modified.Transmission choice is also important, the 10-speed autos can develop jerky shifts, but the MT-82 manual transmissions used in V8 GTs are also less durable than the Tremec TR-3160 gearboxes used in the Dark Horse and the older Mach 1 and GT 350 models. Regular servicing and a measured driving style can also prevent unplanned stops at the mechanic. Overall, the Mustang is not quite as reliable as some of its class rivals, but it is far from being an unreliable vehicle, and as the platform matures, its durability scores should rise higher, too.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.