Recall 21V980 affects 93 2021 Ford Mustang vehicles for side-curtain air bags that inflate improperly. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 93 2021 Mustang vehicles under recall 21V980 because the side curtain air bag inflators were built with the wrong amount of compressed gas. An air bag that inflates incorrectly can raise the risk of injury in a crash, and Ford dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge.
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What's wrong?
In Ford recall 21V980, the side curtain air bag is the air bag that deploys from above the side windows. Its inflator is a gas-filled device inside that curtain. During a side impact or rollover-related deployment, the inflator releases compressed gas so the curtain fills along the glass and helps reduce occupant ejection risk.
On affected 2021 Mustang vehicles, some side curtain air bag inflators were built with the wrong amount of compressed gas. The supplier's production line measured the gas amount, but controller logic failed to reject inflators that were outside specification. With the wrong gas amount, the curtain air bag can inflate improperly during a crash, so the vehicle does not meet the required side impact and ejection mitigation standards.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the inflator, so an owner will not hear, smell, or feel the defect during normal driving.
Who's affected?
| 2021 Ford Mustang | side curtain air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 93 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2021 Ford Mustang is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the side curtain air bags do not inflate properly in a crash, occupants face a higher risk of injury. There is no warning sign before a crash exposes the defect, so confirm your VIN and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Ford Mustang is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free side curtain air bag replacement, which fixes the incorrect inflator gas issue.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V980 when you call.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions and reference Ford recall 21C37.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the side curtain air bags covered by recall 21V980. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because Ford says the original warranty would provide a free repair for this concern. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| December 16, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 17, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| January 21, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 1, 2022 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 1, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 22, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V980?
Recall 21V980 covers 93 2021 Ford Mustang vehicles with side curtain air bag inflators that were built with the incorrect amount of compressed gas. The air bags can inflate improperly in a crash, increasing injury risk. Ford dealers will replace the side curtain air bags for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Ford Mustang is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Mustang is included in recall 21V980. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the side curtain air bag replacement. Reference recall number 21V980 or Ford recall number 21C37 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy states that dealers will replace the side curtain air bags free of charge. Use a franchised Ford dealer for the recall work.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk in recall 21V980 is improper side curtain air bag inflation during a crash. A side curtain air bag that does not inflate correctly can increase the risk of injury, especially in side-impact or ejection-mitigation situations covered by the affected safety standards.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V980000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V980 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V980000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →