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2011 Ford Mustang

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mustang years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Ford Mustang are substantially higher than the model-year median of 81.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

338 reports with mileage · 128 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 200 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 125 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports1 fire reports10 injury reports

Engine complaints

48 reports
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125,000 miles · Oct 7, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed. The v…

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The contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #11488400

90,000 miles · Aug 3, 2020
Engine

VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN ONE YEAR SINCE IT BROKE DOWN LAST AND NOW I HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM. THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAS FAILED AND LEAD TO SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN FAILURE BROKEN ROCKER ARM AND MAYBE DAMAGE TO THE PISTON IT HAS BEEN PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED I WAS DRIVING THR…

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VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN ONE YEAR SINCE IT BROKE DOWN LAST AND NOW I HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM. THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAS FAILED AND LEAD TO SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN FAILURE BROKEN ROCKER ARM AND MAYBE DAMAGE TO THE PISTON IT HAS BEEN PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED I WAS DRIVING THROUGH AND INTERSECTION AND MY CAR STALLED LUCKILY IT STARTED ONCE MORE JUST LONG ENOUGH TO GET IT OFF THE BUSY ROAD. THERE WAS BOLTS ON THE VALVE COVER THAT'S WEREN'T EVEN DRILLED THROUGH THE PLASTIC VALVE COVER. THERE IS NO REASON A FAIRLY NEW MOTOR SHOULD HAVE MALFUNCTIONED LIKE THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11342905

92,800 miles · Jan 17, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL TICKING NOISE DETECTED FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED METRO FORD 9000 NW (7TH AVE, MIAMI, FL 33150, (305) 751-9711) HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL TICKING NOISE DETECTED FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED METRO FORD 9000 NW (7TH AVE, MIAMI, FL 33150, (305) 751-9711) HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,800.

NHTSA ODI #11300041

108,000 miles · Aug 20, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

THE CAR WILL "SHUT DOWN" (WRENCH ERROR LIGHT) AT ANY TIME, ANYWHERE, ANY SPEED. VERY DANGEROUS!!! ERROR CODE P2111 THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR STUCK OPEN. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS POSTS ON THIS. FORD REALLY NEEDS TO FIX THIS!!! I WILL NO LONGER LET MY CHILD DRIVE THIS CAR. SO UNSAFE!! IT HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES A DAY PROBABLY…

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THE CAR WILL "SHUT DOWN" (WRENCH ERROR LIGHT) AT ANY TIME, ANYWHERE, ANY SPEED. VERY DANGEROUS!!! ERROR CODE P2111 THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR STUCK OPEN. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS POSTS ON THIS. FORD REALLY NEEDS TO FIX THIS!!! I WILL NO LONGER LET MY CHILD DRIVE THIS CAR. SO UNSAFE!! IT HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES A DAY PROBABLY THREE TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, HIGHWAY, CITY, STRAIGHT, TURNS, FAST, SLOW.

NHTSA ODI #11245251

50,000 miles · Jun 17, 2019
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ELKINS FORDLAND (696 BEVERLY PIKE, ELKINS, WV 26241, (304) 636-2222), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ELKINS FORDLAND (696 BEVERLY PIKE, ELKINS, WV 26241, (304) 636-2222), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11220633

60,000 miles · May 17, 2019
EnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE CAR LOST POWER AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO MOVE AT ABOUT 2-3 MPH. A 'WRENCH' WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DRIVING THE CAR AT THIS SPEED WAS UNSAFE AND IN HIND SIGHT I SHOULD HAVE PARKED IT AND TOWED TO A DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #11208218

122,000 miles · Oct 11, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 55 MPH, CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE, YELLOW "WRENCH" ADVISORY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND ENGINE APPEARED TO BE RUNNING ROUGH. CAR SLOWED TO A STOP AND I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROADWAY. I SWITCHED OFF THE IGNITION AND WAITED APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS. I RESTARTED THE CAR. THE ADVISORY LIGHT STAYE…

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WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 55 MPH, CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE, YELLOW "WRENCH" ADVISORY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND ENGINE APPEARED TO BE RUNNING ROUGH. CAR SLOWED TO A STOP AND I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROADWAY. I SWITCHED OFF THE IGNITION AND WAITED APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS. I RESTARTED THE CAR. THE ADVISORY LIGHT STAYED OFF AND THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY THEREAFTER. WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, THE CAR WAS ON A HIGHWAY CURVING TURN TO THE RIGHT. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED COMING OUT OF THE CURVE.

NHTSA ODI #10915386

60,000 miles · Sep 27, 2016
EngineSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10910087

66,000 miles · Aug 5, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 60MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CARS POWER JUST CUT OFF AND IT WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND HAD THE WORST IDLE AT 1100 RPM UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. I THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE LIMP MODE LIGHT WENT AWAY BUT A FEW MORE MILES UP IT CUT POWER AGAIN AND ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK AS I HAD TO QUICKLY…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 60MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CARS POWER JUST CUT OFF AND IT WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND HAD THE WORST IDLE AT 1100 RPM UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. I THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE LIMP MODE LIGHT WENT AWAY BUT A FEW MORE MILES UP IT CUT POWER AGAIN AND ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK AS I HAD TO QUICKLY THINK AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. IT HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES THAT DAY TIL I GOT IT HOME AND GOT THE ENGINE CODE P2111. I FOUND OUT LATER ITS A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY THAT THEY USED IN FUSIONS AND OTHER MODELS AND EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE OF IT RANDOMLY CUTTING OFF. IT'S A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED!

NHTSA ODI #10893630

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO PART UNAVAILABILITY. THE CONTACT WAS UN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO PART UNAVAILABILITY. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10862833

Official recalls

4

21V081000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Feb 16, 2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Air Bags:frontal

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

19V001000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 7, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.

16V384000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 31, 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

15V319000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

May 28, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2014 Mustang vehicles manufactured April 6, 2004, to June 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 GT vehicles manufactured February 20, 2004, to September 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2016. Even if interim repairs were performed under safety recall 14V-802, owners must bring their vehicles in for the final remedy. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S21. Note: This recall supersedes safety recall 14V-802.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE11024 · Inability To Shift Gears On Acceleration

Opened Aug 3, 2011 · Closed Dec 14, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:manual Transmission

The Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Ford as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.In total, there were 364 unique reports indicating various shift quality issues while driving.Ford identified several factors that may contribute to shift quality concerns in the subject vehicles, including cold transmission, clutch stay-out at high engine speeds, gear clash or grinding, and gradual loosening of clutch plate bolts in some early production vehicles.The largest percentage of complaints indicated higher than expected shift efforts in cold ambient temperatures.These complaints were related to transmission fluid viscosity and the higher shift efforts resolved themselves with the drivetrain warming.Ford published technical service bulletin TSB 11-3-18 to inform technicians that a lower viscosity fluid was available for use to address the cold shift issues.The clutch stay-out condition typically occurs at engine speeds greater than 4000 rpm.It does not prevent the selection of any gear, but may delay clutch re-engagement depending on how long the driver maintains the higher engine speed.Ford identified rotating inertia of the clutch components as the root cause and replacement clutch pedal parts were made available under Ford TSB 10-19-4.A number of reports alleged increasing difficulty selecting gears along with gear clash or grinding.Grinding or notchy gear shifts may be caused by gradual loosening of clutch plate fasteners, which is promoted by certain aggressive shifting.This condition is progressive in nature and initially results in symptoms related to shift quality/feel.Clutch plate bolt loosening will not result in inability to select any gear unless the progressive symptoms are ignored until complete clutch failure occurs.ODI?s analysis identified only five complaints alleging an inability to shift into gear due to loose clutch plate bolts.None of these resulted in a stall and gear shifting could occur before engine start.A revised fastener was designed and implemented in production and is available for service through a special service message.There is no indication of loss of motive power or unreasonable safety risk associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles.This preliminary evaluation is closed.