FordMustang2023Overview/ford/mustang/2023/base/

2023 Ford Mustang

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 Mustang.

The 2023 Mustang appears in Ford’s lineup as the latest iteration of a nameplate that has recorded complaints from 1990 through 2026. In its dedicated overview the model logged only 15 total owner complaints, with steering cited as the primary concern and six recall actions issued. This figure rests near the historical low of four complaints observed in 2026, marking a pronounced shift toward greater reliability relative to earlier peaks such as the 868 complaints reported in 2005.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.2 in
Overall width75.6 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Curb weight3706 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 65 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

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.

2.8–6.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 2.80 sec — 2025 GTD Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2024Dark Horse Premium Fastback (Handling Pack) 5.0L V83.70 sec12.00 sec500 hpRWD
2024GT Premium Convertible (Performance Pack) 5.0L V83.90 sec12.20 sec480 hpRWD
2024Dark Horse Premium Fastback (Handling Pack) 5.0L V84.10 sec12.50 sec500 hpRWD
2024Dark Horse Premium Fastback (Handling Pack) 5.0L V84.10 sec12.60 sec500 hpRWD
2024GT Premium Fastback (Performance Pack) 5.0L V84.20 sec12.50 sec480 hpRWD
2024Dark Horse Premium Fastback (Handling Pack) 5.0L V84.30 sec12.70 sec500 hpRWD
2024Dark Horse Premium Fastback (Handling Pack) 5.0L V84.30 sec12.70 sec500 hpRWD
2024GT Premium Fastback (Performance Pack) 5.0L V84.30 sec12.50 sec480 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts.
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.0 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°15 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°74 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 41.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90°, Step 5: 90°5 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 83.037 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 86.037 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 200,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 200,000 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.

Every 10,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 200,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 2023 Mustang sits at the end of a decade-long decline in complaints, falling from 114 complaints in 2020 to 55 in 2021 and 48 in 2022, with only 4 complaints recorded for 2026, indicating a sharp improvement. Recalls, however, rose from 8 in 2020 to 9 in 2022 and then to 11 in 2024, suggesting that while owner grievances have lessened, manufacturer‑initiated fixes have increased slightly. The trend of low complaint numbers continues through 2023, with 48 complaints, the lowest in the 1990‑2026 span, and a modest 5 crash complaints and no fire complaints, reinforcing the vehicle’s reliability. Compared to the peak of 868 complaints in 2005, 2023 is firmly in the bottom‑tier of the historical arc, implying fewer day‑to‑day issues for owners. Given the markedly reduced complaint and crash rates and the absence of fire incidents, a 2023 Mustang appears to be a prudent choice for a used buyer.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
69
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
15
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 15 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering4
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper1
Power Train,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Electrical System,Service Brakes,Engine1
Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Steering,Unknown Or Other,Lane Departure1
Unknown Or Other1
Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 69 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 26-23092026-07-02Power TrainThis bulletin supersedes 26-2241. Reason For Update: update the parts list to correct the…
TSB 26-22412026-05-18Power TrainThis bulletin supersedes 25-2587. Reason For Update: update the Parts list to add the…
SSM 547202026-04-02Electrical SystemVarious 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system…
SSM 547192026-04-02Power TrainFor 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch…
25N172026-03-25Unknown Or OtherAdvance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year…

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

Does the 2023 Mustang have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.