2021 Ford Mustang Curtain Air Bag Recall (21V980)

Recall 21V980 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Ford Mustang in recall 21V980?

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.

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."

Is it safe to drive a 2021 Mustang with recall 21V980?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: An air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the curtain.

Which vehicles are included in recall 21V980?

Recall 21V980 covers 93 vehicles: 2021 Ford Mustang.

NHTSA lists 93 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Mustang curtain air bag recall?

Yes. Dealers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge.

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.

When was recall 21V980 announced?

Ford Motor Company reported recall 21V980 to NHTSA on December 16, 2021.

This recall was filed 58 months ago. If your Mustang was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Mustang is part of recall 21V980?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V980 is open on your Mustang, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 Mustang vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should Mustang owners do about recall 21V980?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V980000 applies to your Mustang.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ford dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
4. Keep a simple log of any curtain symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are Mustang owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 2 of them about the air bags.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the air bags have been filed since recall 21V980 was reported (2) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 55 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 2 of them involve the air bags. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Ford Mustang: 55 complaints in total, 2 about the air bags

Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the onboard App diagnosed the vehicle and related the failure with the air bags knee bolster. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer.

2021 Ford Mustang owner, PA, NHTSA complaint 11590389, filed May 23, 2024

Can recall 21V980 make my Mustang a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Owners often ask whether this curtain recall means their Mustang qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Air bag defects are hidden until the moment they matter most. A recall repair may replace an inflator or sensor, but if warning lights return or the system faults again, that is a repeat repair for a safety defect.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Ford Mustang has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 21V980