The short version
The Mustang has been on sale since the 1965 model year, and it has stayed true to one idea: a rear-drive coupe or convertible that ordinary people can afford and enthusiasts can modify. Ford has sold it with everything from small engines to big V8s, so "Mustang" on a listing can mean very different cars.
This site covers the 2015 to 2019 cars, the first five years of the sixth generation (Ford's internal code is S550). That is the window where used buyers have the most choice: a turbocharged four-cylinder, a V6 in the early years, the V8 GT, and the Shelby GT350 and GT350R at the top. Prices and condition vary a lot, because Mustangs get driven hard, modified and tracked more than most used cars. A clean, stock, one-owner car is a very different purchase from a tuned one with an unknown past.
Generations at a glance
First generation (1965 to 1973). The original pony car. It started as a compact, affordable coupe and convertible and grew larger and heavier by the early 1970s. Good ones are collector cars today.
Mustang II (1974 to 1978). A much smaller car, built for the fuel-price worries of the time. Enthusiasts have mixed feelings about it, and few buyers shop it as a performance car.
Fox body (1979 to 1993). A lighter, boxier car that brought the V8 back into the spotlight. It is still a favorite for drag racing and swapping parts, which means many survivors have been modified heavily.
SN95 (1994 to 2004). A rounded redesign in 1994, with a sharper-edged styling update for 1999. The Cobra versions sit at the top of this generation. Older cars like these need a close look at rust, suspension wear and past modifications.
S197 (2005 to 2014). Retro styling that echoed the 1960s cars. Ford introduced new V6 and 5.0-liter V8 engines for 2011, and special models such as the Boss 302 and Shelby GT500 added more variety. A used example of these years is often the budget route into a V8 Mustang.
S550 (2015 to 2023). A full redesign, and the first Mustang sold in the US with independent rear suspension on every version. Engines included a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (called EcoBoost), a V6 for the first three model years and the 5.0-liter V8 in the GT. The GT350 and GT350R arrived for 2016, and the Bullitt came back for 2019. This is the generation our year reports cover. A refresh for 2018 changed the styling and brought a 10-speed automatic, an optional digital instrument cluster and other updates.
S650 (2024 to present). The seventh generation, with evolved styling and the same general engine approach. It is too new to have a meaningful used market with a long track record.
Which used years to research first
There is no single best Mustang year. The right choice depends on engine, transmission and how the car has been treated. A few patterns show up in the 2015 to 2019 data:
- Rearview camera problems run across all five years. One 2025 recall covers certain Mustangs from 2015 to 2019. An earlier one covers 2015 to 2017 cars. Owners often report blank or distorted images, and some say earlier repairs did not last. Check the status of both by VIN.
- Door latches are a bigger issue on the early cars. Recalls for latches that may not hold properly cover the 2015 model year. Owners of 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 cars also describe passenger doors popping open at highway speed, so test for it on every year.
- The 2.3-liter EcoBoost deserves a careful look. Many complaints for 2016, 2018 and 2019 describe coolant getting into the engine. That does not mean every one is affected, but ask for maintenance records and have a shop inspect it. Cars that have been tuned for more power need extra scrutiny.
- Manual cars have their own watch item. Owners of 2015 and 2016 manuals describe a pedal assembly weld that cracked. It is a quick check on any car you drive.
- Later cars have newer technology. The 2018 refresh added the 10-speed automatic and the digital cluster. Both have recalls and complaints you should read, but the later cars also tend to have fewer total complaints on record simply because they are newer.
- Shelby GT350, GT350R and Bullitt cars are a separate hunt. They are rarer, they often carry premium pricing, and they are more likely to have seen track days. Treat service history, tire and brake wear and any modifications as the main questions.
Complaint counts also tell you something about age. A 2015 car has had ten years to collect reports, and a 2019 car has had fewer. Compare the reports, but read the details instead of just the totals.
How to use the model-year reports
Each year has its own report with the NHTSA recall list, the systems owners complain about most and the federal crash ratings that exist for that year. Start with the year you are considering, then read the year before and after. If one system shows up in the top complaints again and again, make it the first thing you check on a test drive.
For performance cars, ask extra questions. Has the car been modified or tuned? Can the seller show receipts, a list of parts and the original parts if they were removed? Has it been to a track, and how were the brakes, tires and cooling system cared for? Be honest with yourself about whether you want a car with a story, or one that is simply as the factory left it.
Whatever year you choose, run the VIN through NHTSA's free recall lookup to confirm that every safety recall has been repaired, get a vehicle history report, and pay an independent mechanic who knows Mustangs for a pre-purchase inspection. It costs far less than a problem you did not spot. Pick a year to begin: