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2021 Affordable Aluminum Mustang

The 2021 Affordable Aluminum Mustang is a compact car, rated at 25 MPG combined by the EPA, with a 5-star NHTSA overall safety rating. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this model year.

Combined MPG
25
NHTSA safety
Starting price
$32,000
Recalls
6

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Full specifications

Identity

SRC · NHTSA vPIC
MakeAffordable Aluminum
ModelMustang
Model year2021
Vehicle classCompact Car

Engine & drivetrain

SRC · EPA FuelEconomy
Displacement2.3 L
Cylinders4
TransmissionAutomatic (S10)
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline

Fuel economy

SRC · EPA FuelEconomy
City MPG21
Highway MPG32
Combined MPG25
CO₂ tailpipe356 g/mi
EPA annual fuel cost$2500

Available configurations

SRC · EPA FuelEconomy
Mustang25 MPG combined
Mustang19 MPG combined
Mustang25 MPG combined
Mustang24 MPG combined
Mustang18 MPG combined
Mustang Convertible23 MPG combined
Mustang Convertible18 MPG combined
Mustang Convertible23 MPG combined
Mustang Convertible23 MPG combined
Mustang HO Convertible22 MPG combined
Mustang HO Convertible21 MPG combined
Mustang HO Coupe23 MPG combined
Mustang HO Coupe22 MPG combined
Mustang Mach 118 MPG combined
Mustang Mach 117 MPG combined
Mustang Mach-E AWD93 MPG combined
Mustang Mach-E AWD Extended90 MPG combined
Mustang Mach-E GT84 MPG combined
Mustang Mach-E GT Performance82 MPG combined
Mustang Mach-E RWD100 MPG combined
Mustang Mach-E RWD California Route 1101 MPG combined
Mustang Mach-E RWD Extended97 MPG combined

Fuel economy

SRC · EPA FuelEconomy
City21 MPG
Highway32 MPG
Combined25 MPG

Efficiency vs class average

Mustang25 MPG
Class average31.6 MPG

About 21% below the class average.

Est. monthly payment
$564/mo
Amount financed
$28,800
Total interest
$5,010
Check real rates for this car

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5-year fuel cost
$8,040

$1,608/yr · 12,000 mi/yr · $3.35/gal

Combined MPG25
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Extended warranty & insurance

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Cost to own

Estimate monthly payments and 5-year fuel cost using the tools in the sidebar. Figures use EPA fuel economy and current U.S. energy prices from EIA.

Safety ratings & recalls

SRC · NHTSA vPIC
Overall
Frontal crash
Side crash
Rollover

Recalls (6)

  • AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN21V980000 · 2021-12-16

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Mustang vehicles. The side curtain air bag inflators may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in improper air bag inflation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 226, "Ejection Mitigation," and 214, "Side Impact Protection."

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on February 3, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C37.

  • AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER22V083000 · 2022-02-16

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Mustang vehicles. An insufficient weld on the front passenger knee air bag may result in an improper air bag deployment.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger knee air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 8, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S07.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM23V727000 · 2023-10-27

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Mustang vehicles. The brake fluid level sensor may not activate the visual warning indicator when the brake fluid is low. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

    Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C35.

  • BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V442000 · 2025-06-27

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP25V455000 · 2025-07-07

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 16, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated 2nd Quarter 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM25V689000 · 2025-10-10

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Mustang vehicles repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V727. The brake fluid level sensor may not activate the visual warning indicator when the brake fluid is low. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

    Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C55. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 17, 2025.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the MPG of the 2021 Affordable Aluminum Mustang?

The 2021 Affordable Aluminum Mustang is EPA-rated at 25 MPG combined (21 city / 32 highway).

Is the 2021 Affordable Aluminum Mustang reliable?

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2021 Affordable Aluminum Mustang. Recalls are repaired free of charge by the manufacturer — verify any open recalls by VIN before purchase.

How safe is the 2021 Affordable Aluminum Mustang?

The 2021 Affordable Aluminum Mustang earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating, including 5 stars in the frontal crash test.

How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Affordable Aluminum Mustang?

At 12,000 miles per year, the 2021 Affordable Aluminum Mustang costs roughly $1,608 per year to fuel, or about $8,040 over 5 years at current U.S. energy prices.

What type of vehicle is the 2021 Affordable Aluminum Mustang?

The 2021 Affordable Aluminum Mustang is classified as a compact car. Common rivals in this class are worth comparing on price, MPG, and safety.

Sources: NHTSA vPIC · EPA FuelEconomy · NHTSA vPIC