Quick take
The 2019 Mustang is the newest car in our range and the second year after the 2018 refresh. It is the year the Bullitt returned, and it is the only year here with a full set of five-star crash ratings from the federal government. It has the fewest complaints, crashes and injuries on file of the five years, partly because it is the newest.
Before you buy, verify three things. First, the instrument cluster, since a blank display at start-up is the subject of two recalls on this car, including one for cars that were repaired incorrectly. Second, the rearview camera, which has two recalls on this year. Third, if it is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost, the coolant history, because engine complaints about coolant in the cylinders lead the list.
What changed for 2019
Ford carried over the refreshed look from 2018, with the 5.0-liter GT and the 2.3-liter EcoBoost as the main engines, plus the GT350 and GT350R above them. Both a manual and a 10-speed automatic were available. The big addition was the Bullitt, a special GT with its own color and styling that returned for this model year.
The V6 was gone, so a 2019 listing is an EcoBoost, a GT or a special model. That also means a 2019 car may have been through the same transmission and cluster software changes as 2018, and our recall list shows how many of those reached 2019.
If you are shopping the Bullitt or a GT350, the questions change. They are collector-leaning cars, and they may have been driven more gently or more aggressively than a regular GT. Do not assume either way, and do not pay extra for a badge without checking the car.
Known trouble spots to check
NHTSA has 152 complaints for the 2019 Mustang, with 3 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury in those records. There are no deaths on file. The federal ratings are 5 stars overall, 5 for frontal, 5 for side and 5 for rollover. These are the largest categories.
Engine (54 complaints, plus 11 under engine and engine cooling). The top theme is coolant getting into a cylinder on 2.3-liter cars. Owners describe a misfire, rough running, a knock or white smoke, and in some cases a short block replacement. One owner reports a head gasket failure at around 43,000 miles, and another reports coolant in a cylinder at about 59,000. Some of the cluster complaints are filed here too. It does not mean every EcoBoost has the problem. It does mean you should ask for coolant service records, check the reservoir when the engine is cold and be cautious about cars with a tune or a high-boost setup.
Instrument cluster and electrical (32 complaints). The digital cluster that stays blank at start-up is the most specific complaint. Owners say it happens more often over time, sometimes clears after the car sits for an hour or the battery is disconnected, and takes speed, fuel and warning displays with it. This is the subject of the 2019 recalls. Start the car several times, including after it has been sitting, and see how the cluster behaves.
Camera (19 other, and part of the electrical group). Owners describe a reverse camera that cuts out, shows a blue screen or reads "not available." Two recalls apply here, and a third involves some 5.0-liter manuals. Test the camera more than once.
Transmission (28 power train). Owners describe clunks going from Park to Reverse to Drive on an EcoBoost automatic, and one says rebuilt transmissions installed in a California Special Edition car were bad. One complaint references a service bulletin about shift forks in 2018 and 2019 manuals, which we cannot verify, so ask the shop about it if the car is a manual. Shift through every gear and listen for crunching.
Doors, wheels and steering (9 structure, 6 latches, 6 wheels, 6 steering). A few owners describe a door that slips to its first latch at highway speed. Others describe lug nuts with swollen shells that were hard to remove. If the car has aftermarket wheels or has been serviced often, check that every lug nut turns freely. One owner also describes power steering loss with a jerking wheel. Check the steering for smoothness through its full travel.
Brakes (5 complaints). One owner describes a parking brake that released on its own. Another reports a sudden change in brake feel. Test the parking brake on a slope.
Quick checks for any 2019:
- Look for a supercharger or an aftermarket tune, and ask what the seller knows about it.
- Check tire wear on the inside edge, which can point to an alignment issue. One owner reports exactly that.
- Make sure the gear indicator and the Park warning chime behave correctly.
Recalls on a car this age
Our data lists six recalls for the 2019 Mustang. Two cover the instrument cluster: a 2019 recall for a display that may be blank at start-up, and a 2026 recall for cars that were repaired incorrectly under it. Two cover the rearview camera: a 2025 recall for a distorted, inverted or blank image on certain 2015 to 2019 Mustangs, and another 2025 recall for a software error that can blank the camera on certain 2019 to 2023 Mustangs.
The remaining two are narrower. One covers certain 2019 and 2020 Mustangs with a 5.0-liter engine and a manual transmission, where the powertrain computer could send a faulty signal that disables the reverse camera, the reverse light and driver assist features. The other covers certain 2019 and 2020 Mustangs where the "Transmission Not In Park" warning and chime are shorter than intended.
Recall repairs are free at Ford dealers. Run the VIN at NHTSA's free recall lookup, and ask for proof of any cluster repair, since that one has already had a second recall.
Test-drive checklist
- Start the car cold, and note how long the digital cluster takes to light. Turn it off and on a few times.
- Listen for misfire or rough running in the first minute, and check the exhaust for white smoke.
- On an automatic, move from Park to Reverse to Drive and listen for clunks. Pull away gently and then hard, and watch for delay.
- On a manual, test clutch engagement and go through every gear, including a quick shift from second to third.
- Back up and check the camera, then try again after the engine has warmed.
- Check every wheel for lug nut condition and corrosion, and look at the tires for inside edge wear.
- Turn the car off in Park and open the driver door. Confirm the displays and chimes behave normally.
- Brake firmly from a safe speed and test the parking brake on a slope.
Before you hand over money
Run the VIN recall check, get a vehicle history report and pay an independent inspection by a shop that works on Mustangs. Ask them to scan for stored codes and look at the cooling system.
On a Bullitt, ask for the build documents and the dealer history. On a modified car, ask for a full parts list, tune details and receipts, and find out whether the car has had a supercharger or turbo kit fitted. Ask whether it has seen a track, a drag strip or heavy launches, and ask for the maintenance record that followed. Be careful with a car that comes with a tune but no clear way of returning it to stock.
Use the payment calculator to see the monthly cost with tax and interest, and leave room for fluids and tires.
Is it the right car for you?
The 2019 Mustang suits buyers who want the latest car in the range and a modern interior, with strong federal crash ratings. A GT with a documented history is a rewarding drive, and a Bullitt appeals to those who want something distinctive.
It is a harder sell if you need a trouble-free cluster and camera and have no patience for recall visits. It also needs a careful look if it is a 2.3-liter with an unknown past. For an older, cheaper alternative, see the 2018 Mustang. The Mustang overview has the generation story.
Bottom line
The 2019 Mustang is the newest and best-rated car here, but it has a repeated cluster issue, camera recalls and EcoBoost coolant reports. Confirm every recall by VIN, test the cluster and camera yourself, and let an inspection decide on any car with modifications.