Power Train. Review the 177 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 158 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 35 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 reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

Power Train complaints

177 reports

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4,500 miles · Oct 22, 2012

Power Train

TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK FROM BELL HOUSING. TRANSMISSION FLUID RUNNING ON EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN CAUSE FIRE. THIS PART IS MADE IN CHINA AND IS POORLY MADE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481342

100,048 miles · Sep 11, 2012

Power Train

CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH GEAR CLUTCH ACTED AS IF IT WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC CLOSE CALL ON ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475127

9,500 miles · Sep 3, 2012

EnginePower Train

CLUTCH WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO SHIFT THE CAR BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR I TRAFFIC. THIS IS NOT A NEW SITUATION THE CAR HAS DONE THIS ON AND OFF SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW I NOTICE IT AFTER DRIVING A LONG TIME OR IN FAST MOVING CITY TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10473635

10,428 miles · Aug 22, 2012

Power Train

I WAS COMPLETING A LEFT TURN WHEN POWER WAS NO LONG GOING TO THE BACK WHEELS WHILE RELEASING THE CLUTCH. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I ARRIVED HOME WHILE PULLING IN TO THE DRIVEWAY BUT THIS TIME I SMELLED THE CLUTCH OVERHEATING. I LOST CONFIDENCE THAT THE VEHICLE WILL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY ACCELERATION THAT IS NEED WHILE CROSSING TRA…

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NHTSA ODI #10471959

11,500 miles · Jul 8, 2012

EnginePower Train

DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN ANY GEAR, WHEN GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, THE CAR WILL FALL ON IT'S FACE WHEN REACHING 3000 RPM'S AND UP AT ALL SPEEDS. IT MISSES AND THE TI-VCT ISN'T ENGAGING CORRECTLY. OIL LEVEL IS FULL, AND THE SPARK PLUGS LOOK GREAT. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT EVEN THROW AN MIL LIGHT. THE VEHICLE DRIVES FINE AT LOW RPM'S, BUT …

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NHTSA ODI #10464629

13,000 miles · Jun 25, 2012

Power Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2012 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS SON WAS DOING A BURN OUT IN THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY SURMISED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN USED FOR RACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER, WHO AGREED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR A LESSER COST. THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT HE WAS INSTRUCTED BY THE MANUFACTURER NOT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT A DISCOUNT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 13,000.

NHTSA ODI #10462967

4,550 miles · Jun 5, 2012

Power Train

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I AM HAVING FREQUENT ISSUES WITH SHIFTING ON MY 2012 MUSTANG GT 6-SPD. IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR AT TIMES. SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND IS NOW PRODUCING A BRIEF GRINDING SOUND WITH EVERY SHIFT. AT TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ALLOW SHIFTING INTO 4TH ON THE FIRST TRY, AND THIS ALSO OCCURS FROM 4TH TO 5TH AT TIMES. A SECOND SHIFT ATTEMPT USUALLY WORKS BUT THERE IS THE LOSS OF GETTING UP TO SPEED IN EACH CASE. IN ADDITION, THE SKIP-SHIFT FEATURE OFTEN ENGAGES AT TOO LOW AN RPM RANGE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO 'LUG' WITH VERY LITTLE POWER. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT TWICE AS I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, SHIFT (BEING FORCED TO 4TH GEAR FROM 1ST BY THE SKIP SHIFT) AND LOSE POWER. ONCE, THE ENGINE DIED FOLLOWING THE SKIP-SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 4TH, CAUSING A SERIOUS RISK. AFTER HAVING THESE ISSUES WITH THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I FOUND MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET FORUMS AND THIS NHTSA SITE AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NO ACTION TO ENCOURAGE FORD TO ADDRESS THIS WELL-KNOWN AND EXTREMELY WELL-DOCUMENTED ISSUE. THIS SITUATION IS GETTING CLOSE TO JUSTIFYING CLASS-ACTION ACTIVITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460635

2,100 miles · Jun 3, 2012

Power Train

MY CLUTCH IS SPONGY LIKE IT IS 10 YEARS OLD, AND VEHICLE SHIFTS LIKE CRAP AND HAS TROUBLE GOING INTO 2ND GEAR IN THE MORNING AND AT HIGH RPMS I HAVE TROUBLE GOING TO 4TH AND HAVE TO DROP TO 5TH CAUSING SERIOUS LOSS OF POWER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460384

4,400 miles · May 24, 2012

Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO THIRD OR FOURTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4400.

NHTSA ODI #10459525

6,000 miles · Apr 16, 2012

Power Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-60 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000... UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE THE ENGINE BOGGED DOWN AND LOST POWER. CONSUMER WAS TOLD ENGINE WOULD DIE OUT AROUND 5800 RPM OR LESS. CONSUMERS RPM WAS AT 7000 RPM. UPDATED 6/7/12 *SD

NHTSA ODI #10455358

Official recalls

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

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

Air Bags:frontal

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.

17V024000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 10, 2017

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ 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 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan 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." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, 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. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. 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.

16V248000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Apr 27, 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.

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.

12V190000 · Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

May 3, 2012

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE R POSITION AND THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE R MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP ON THE REAR OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, OR MUSTANG VEHICLES MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. THESE CONDITIONS INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK DUE TO THE VEHICLES NOT SIGNALING IT IS IN REVERSE.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TRS AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE R POSITION AND THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE R MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP ON THE REAR OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, OR MUSTANG VEHICLES MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. THESE CONDITIONS INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK DUE TO THE VEHICLES NOT SIGNALING IT IS IN REVERSE.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TRS AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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

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.