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2018 Ford Mustang

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mustang years

Owner complaints for the 2018 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

93 reports with mileage · 98 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.

  • Engine. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine complaints

56 reports
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129,000 miles · Apr 21, 2025
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, the contact attempted to warm up the vehicle; however, when the contact returned to the vehicle, the vehicle was off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the ve…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, the contact attempted to warm up the vehicle; however, when the contact returned to the vehicle, the vehicle was off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle however, the engine sounded like it was losing power with an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The message to “Shift to Park” was displayed; however, the gear shifter was already in park(P). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure due to a lack of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

NHTSA ODI #11655943

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2025
Engine

Head gasket failure from research online there seems to be a flaw in the engine block that leads to coolant leaking in between cylinder walls causing premature head gasket failure.

NHTSA ODI #11653988

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2025
Engine

Ford selling vehicles with malfunctioning engines. This malfunction is allowing coolant to mix in with the oil causing misfires, which leads to the car consuming all of its coolant which can cause the engine to catch on fire. Ford has known about this issue for years and are not trying to put a recall on the engine. They’re maki…

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Ford selling vehicles with malfunctioning engines. This malfunction is allowing coolant to mix in with the oil causing misfires, which leads to the car consuming all of its coolant which can cause the engine to catch on fire. Ford has known about this issue for years and are not trying to put a recall on the engine. They’re making customers pay out of pocket to fix the engine. the dealer determined that the failure was a result of coolant intrusion into cylinder #2 #3. Due to the failure, the engine needed to be replaced. There’s been reports of the vehicle engine completely shutting down while people are driving on the roads. There’s been reporting of the car overheating and catching on fire. The vast majority of consumers who bought the 2.3 liter engines from years 2013-2019 are experiencing these problems. While driving on the highway, the vehicles engine misfired causing lost of power. Luckily I was able to move to the side.

NHTSA ODI #11649393

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2025
Engine

Engine block failure at 47k miles. Car was driven at 1/4 throttle or less when detonation occurred creating a hole in the engine block. This is so prevalent that it is colloquially termed “ecoboom.” Cost of repair is nearly $9,500

NHTSA ODI #11634329

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2025
Engine

For three years, this Mustang will lurch frequently after you shift into first or reverse from park. I had it looked at Paradise Ford 3 years ago and they REFUSED to look at transmission until the car had 125k miles on it. At that time, the car only had 98k miles on it. I tried to insist, but they refused. The service helper…

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For three years, this Mustang will lurch frequently after you shift into first or reverse from park. I had it looked at Paradise Ford 3 years ago and they REFUSED to look at transmission until the car had 125k miles on it. At that time, the car only had 98k miles on it. I tried to insist, but they refused. The service helper was named Mark, I believe. The other day I was driving on a 10mph park road .....more like coasting because it was a low speed limit. The car suddenly jerked forward. Today I took it into Gary Yeoman Ford in Palm Bay, FL for a transmission check. The service advisor was Jason. They said there was a cdf hub issue and stated I needed a new transmission for 6600.00. Of course I refused and came home to research their "diagnosis". I found an article about a,10R80 bushing that has caused the same exact problem is other Mustangs. I feel like they were giving me the run around. I don't want this to cause further problems. It should have been fixed at Paradise Ford. I have owned this car for 5.5 years. I'm quite familiar with how it runs. Please advise.

NHTSA ODI #11633728

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2024
Engine

Due to a faulty design were antifreeze is allowed to get into the cylinders and mix with the oil, the engine malfunctioned while I was on a busy highway and I barely got off the road onto the shoulder. It was very dangerous. I thought it was an isolated incident but it happened again. Now they want to charge me $8,400 to replac…

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Due to a faulty design were antifreeze is allowed to get into the cylinders and mix with the oil, the engine malfunctioned while I was on a busy highway and I barely got off the road onto the shoulder. It was very dangerous. I thought it was an isolated incident but it happened again. Now they want to charge me $8,400 to replace a defective engine. I know some of Ford's similar engines are being recalled. Thank you

NHTSA ODI #11616290

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2024
Engine

We purchased this vehicle for my daughter as a graduation present and while she was driving it the engine malfunctioned stranding her on a busy highway. We then found out it is the defective EcoBoost engine manufactured by Ford that was the cause of this incident. We have been trying to get it repaired but Ford will not cooperat…

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We purchased this vehicle for my daughter as a graduation present and while she was driving it the engine malfunctioned stranding her on a busy highway. We then found out it is the defective EcoBoost engine manufactured by Ford that was the cause of this incident. We have been trying to get it repaired but Ford will not cooperate even though they know this engine is a defective product. Could we please get some assistance with this as we just purchased this vehicle a year ago and we are now being asked to spend $8,000 to replace a defective engine. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11595235

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2024
Engine

Ford Incorporation is selling vehicles with malfunctioning engines. Ford cut in between each cylinder block to allow the coolant to cool the engine, however this design is extremely flawed, it causes the head gasket seal to break. This malfunction is allowing coolant to mix in with the oil causing misfires, which leads to the ca…

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Ford Incorporation is selling vehicles with malfunctioning engines. Ford cut in between each cylinder block to allow the coolant to cool the engine, however this design is extremely flawed, it causes the head gasket seal to break. This malfunction is allowing coolant to mix in with the oil causing misfires, which leads to the car consuming all of its coolant which can cause the engine to catch on fire. Ford has known about this issue for years and are not trying to put a recall on the engine. They’re making customers pay out of pocket to fix the engine. Replacing the head gasket isn’t an enough to fix the problem because the oil and coolant are mixing inside of the engine. There’s been reports of the vehicle engine completely shutting down while people are driving on the roads. There’s been reporting of the car overheating and catching on fire. The vast majority of consumers who bought the 2.3 liter engines from years 2013-2019 are experiencing these problems.

NHTSA ODI #11589695

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2024
Engine

Just like the other Ford Ecoboost engines, mine is also leaking coolant into the engine, which is causing me to have to buy an entire new engine. The code is reading a misfire into the third cylinder initially which I “fixed” with a tuneup. Turns out, I’ll need an entire new engine.

NHTSA ODI #11588002

58,000 miles · Apr 25, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine over heated. The engine overheated warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the engine was misfiring. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine over heated. The engine overheated warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the engine was misfiring. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed engine due to coolant leak into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #11585153

Official recalls

3

25V572000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Sep 3, 2025

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

18V213000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Apr 4, 2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission to make sure it has the roll pin, installing one if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S09.

17V814000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel; Electrical System:software

Dec 18, 2017

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2018 Ford Mustang vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and a 12.4" digital instrument cluster. If the ignition is turned off when the transmission is not in PARK, the instrument cluster may not illuminate the PRNDL gear position display and the operator may not receive the "Key in Ignition" chime when the driver's door is opened. As such, these vehicles fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence/Starter Interlock/Transmission Braking Effect," and number 114, "Theft Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without a visual or audible warning to the driver that the vehicle is in PARK, the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C21.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2018 Ford Mustang vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and a 12.4" digital instrument cluster. If the ignition is turned off when the transmission is not in PARK, the instrument cluster may not illuminate the PRNDL gear position display and the operator may not receive the "Key in Ignition" chime when the driver's door is opened. As such, these vehicles fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence/Starter Interlock/Transmission Braking Effect," and number 114, "Theft Protection."

Consequence: Without a visual or audible warning to the driver that the vehicle is in PARK, the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C21.

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2018 Ford Mustang vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and a 12.4" digital instrument cluster. If the ignition is turned off when the transmission is not in PARK, the instrument cluster may not illuminate the PRNDL gear position display and the operator may not receive the "Key in Ignition" chime when the driver's door is opened. As such, these vehicles fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence/Starter Interlock/Transmission Braking Effect," and number 114, "Theft Protection."

Consequence: Without a visual or audible warning to the driver that the vehicle is in PARK, the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C21.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.