FordMustang2011Overview/ford/mustang/2011/base/

2011 Ford Mustang

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Mustang.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2011 Ford Mustang is a passenger car built on a platform that requires 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil, positioning it within a long production lineage spanning from 1990 to 2026. While this specific model year generated 466 owner complaints with the power train identified as the top area of concern and was subject to five recalls, it represents a significant improvement over the generation's peak dissatisfaction recorded in 2005. Consequently, the 2011 model sits in a transitional phase of the vehicle's reliability history, offering a more dependable ownership experience than the highest-complaint years while still carrying notable mechanical caveats for researchers to consider.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96r · 590 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 96r · 590 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.2 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Curb weight3999 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Mustang of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.3–6.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.30 sec — 2011 GT Premium Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011GT Premium Coupe 5.0L V84.30 sec12.80 sec412 hpRWD
2011GT Premium Coupe 5.0L V84.40 sec12.70 sec412 hpRWD
2011GT Premium Coupe 5.0L V84.40 sec12.70 sec412 hpRWD
2011GT Premium Convertible 5.0L V84.50 sec12.90 sec412 hpRWD
2011GT Coupe 5.0L V84.60 sec13.20 sec412 hpRWD
2011GT Premium Coupe 5.0L V84.60 sec13.20 sec412 hpRWD
2011GT Premium Convertible 5.0L V84.70 sec13.20 sec412 hpRWD
2011GT Premium Convertible 5.0L V84.70 sec13.00 sec412 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.8
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 5W-50
Engine Oil Capacity7.4 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29.5 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub251 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.31 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number96r
Standard BCI Cranking Performance590 cca
Standard BCI Group Number96r

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature183-195 °F
Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180-202 °F
Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle85
Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.071; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.181 in / 1.141 in / 1.118 in / 0.685 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
14.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 454.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 28 ft. lbs., Step 3: 10515 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9089 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1103 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 74 ft. lbs., step 4: 90103 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
188 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9088 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
230 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6015 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., step 2: turn 457.4 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1install 6 new exhaust manifold stud9 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Upper intake only: step 2: turn 457.4 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., step 2: 18.414 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., upper intake only, step 2: turn 457.4 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miBrake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Ford Mustang registers 466 complaints, 5 recalls, 1 investigation, and 63 TSBs — a sharp jump from 2010's 260 complaints and 35 TSBs, and nearly triple 2009's 181 complaints, suggesting the 2011 model year marks the leading edge of a renewed complaint spike rather than a continuation of the 2008–2010 cooling-off trend. That elevation persists into 2012 (469 complaints) before falling back to 271 in 2013, placing the 2011 squarely at a peak in the mid-generation arc. Within the 2011 record, the powertrain category dominates at 172 complaints — more than the next three areas combined for that year — followed by air bags at 117, which is unusually high and may be tied to the 20 crash-related complaints logged for the year. Recalls remain modest at 5 and only 1 investigation was opened, indicating that the elevated complaint volume did not translate into aggressive federal action, though the data does not specify whether the underlying root causes were resolved. Given the elevated complaint count relative to adjacent years, the air bag exposure, and the powertrain concentration, a used 2011 is defensible but warrants a pre-purchase inspection focused on transmission behavior and a verification that any air bag recalls or TSBs have been addressed.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
63
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
466
Owner complaints
20 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 466 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train172
Air Bags117
Engine17
Vehicle Speed Control16
Steering15
Unknown Or Other10
Vehicle Speed Control,Engine7
Structure5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V001000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 07/01/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free…

21V081000Air Bags:FrontalReported 16/02/2021

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… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 63 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 523342024-03-06Engine And Engine CoolingSome 2011-2024 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a tick…
22B05 S12023-07-27Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and…
SSM 515362023-04-04StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Mustang. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Mustang take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Mustang have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.