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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

466 reports
48,000 miles · Jul 21, 2020
Power Train

MT82 TRANSMISSION IS HARD TO SHIFT INTO 1ST AND 2ND, ALSO GRINDS GOING INTO SECOND. STARTED TO HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11340787

15,000 miles · Jun 28, 2020
SteeringCrash

THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TURN FROM RIGHT AND LEFT UNCONTROLLABLE DRIVING INTO A RAIN STORM THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT L COULD NOT HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL SPUN ME AROUND THREE TIMES AND HIT A GUARD RAIL

NHTSA ODI #11331297

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2020
Air Bags

I HAVE HAD THIS RECALL FIXED LAST FEB. I HAVE CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS COMPLETED AND PRESTON SAYS THAT IT WAS COMPLETED ON 2/16/19 AT PRESTON FORD IN HERMITAGE AND THE INFORMATION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED AND CORRECT ON THE FORD WEBSITE.

NHTSA ODI #11309245

101,105 miles · Jan 21, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNED A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND HIT HER ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE PILLAR. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS WIFE TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND TWO HERNIATED DISCS; IT WAS UNKNOWN IF …

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TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNED A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND HIT HER ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE PILLAR. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS WIFE TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND TWO HERNIATED DISCS; IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED (#159951319-M). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED BUT HAD NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED IN DECEMBER OF 2018 UNDER A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,105.

NHTSA ODI #11300699

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

70,000 miles · Dec 26, 2019
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT DROVE NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME DIFFICULT TO SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT DROVE NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME DIFFICULT TO SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11291265

126,600 miles · Oct 29, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

2011 FORD MUSTANG 3.7L V6 CONVERTIBLE, PREMIUM, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THROTTLE BODY FAILURE (PART # AT4Z-9E926-B) WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATES, THE DASHBOARD 'WRENCH LIGHT' COMES ON, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR RUMBLES AND SHAKES, AND THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE, FORCING ME TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS A…

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2011 FORD MUSTANG 3.7L V6 CONVERTIBLE, PREMIUM, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THROTTLE BODY FAILURE (PART # AT4Z-9E926-B) WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATES, THE DASHBOARD 'WRENCH LIGHT' COMES ON, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR RUMBLES AND SHAKES, AND THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE, FORCING ME TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS AT MODERATE SPEED ON LOCAL ROADS AND AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IF I PULL OFF THE ROAD, TURN THE CAR OFF, WAIT A FEW MINUTES, AND THEN RESTART, IT USUALLY RUNS NORMALLY. ON ONE OCCASION, IT DID NOT. IT DECELERATED AND THEN STALLED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF A FOUR WAY INTERSECTION WHILE I WAS ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP AFTER BEING TOLD THERE 'WAS NO CODE,' SO THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I COASTED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT, AFTER WHICH IT RAN FOR ABOUT A MINUTE, SHOOK VIOLENTLY, AND THEN STALLED. EVERY INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD WAS ILLUMINATED. IT SEEMED AS IF THE CAR WAS CHOKING. I REPEATED THIS OVER AND OVER, CREEPING DOWN THE SHOULDER, BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. IN MY CASE, THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, MOST RECENTLY ON OCT 29, 2019. ACCORDING TO MY SERVICE RECORDS, PART # AT4Z-9E926-B WAS USED FOR EACH REPLACEMENT. APPARENTLY, FORD REPLACES A DEFECTIVE PART WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT OR IMPROVED PART THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. 2015: CODE P2135, REPLACED THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY 2016: SENT AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP, NO FAULT CODES, UNABLE TO VERIFY 2016: RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP SHORTLY AFTER I WAS SENT AWAY; CODE P0315, REPLACED THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY 2016: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 16B23, REIMBURSED FOR THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT 2019: NO FAULT CODE NOTED ON SERVICE PAPERWORK, REPLACED THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY

NHTSA ODI #11276907

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

56,000 miles · Aug 11, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

MY 2011 MUSTANG WHEN DRIVING AT AROUND 40MPH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COME ON AND THE FRONT END STARTS TO WOBBLE IT DON'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. I TOOK IT TO HAVE IT CHECK AND WAS TOLD THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DON'T HAVE BUT 56000 MILES. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT FORD RECALL SEVERAL VEHIC…

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MY 2011 MUSTANG WHEN DRIVING AT AROUND 40MPH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COME ON AND THE FRONT END STARTS TO WOBBLE IT DON'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. I TOOK IT TO HAVE IT CHECK AND WAS TOLD THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DON'T HAVE BUT 56000 MILES. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT FORD RECALL SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. FROM WHAT I FOUND OUT THAT IT MIGHT BE A HEAT OVER THE ELECTRIC GEARBOX

NHTSA ODI #11243148

118,000 miles · Jul 26, 2019
Air BagsInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITHOUT WARNING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAGS ALONG WITH THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THERE WERE INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE DEPLOYMENT DUE TO THE CONTACT PLACING HER HAND BEFORE HER F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITHOUT WARNING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAGS ALONG WITH THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THERE WERE INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE DEPLOYMENT DUE TO THE CONTACT PLACING HER HAND BEFORE HER FACE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT SOUGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NALLEY FORD SANDY SPRINGS (7555 ROSWELL RD, ATLANTA, GA 30350, (678) 809-5711) TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V001000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE DEALER DECLINED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, STATING THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE ALREADY DEPLOYED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V319000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #11235112

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.