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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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3,000 miles · Feb 10, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 80MPH ON A 75 AND A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , THE CAR SHUT OFF AND LOCKED UP AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL. CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP , AND THE ENTIRE BOTTOM END WAS TORN APART AND A FEW ENGINE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. AFT…

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MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 80MPH ON A 75 AND A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , THE CAR SHUT OFF AND LOCKED UP AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL. CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP , AND THE ENTIRE BOTTOM END WAS TORN APART AND A FEW ENGINE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE CAR WILL AT RANDOM TIMES SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING , MAIN TIMES IS THE FREEWAY. SECOND ISSUE IS THE CAR HAS LOUD KNOCKING TO THE ENGINE , SOUNDS LIKE A LIFTED KNOCK , THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, AND MY CAR WAS NEXT TO A SAME YEAR MUSTANG TO COMPARE SOUND AND MINE WAS DEFINITELY KNOCKING COMPARED TO THE OTHER MUSTANG. THIRD ISSUE IS THERE IS A CONSTANT SQUEALING SOUND LIKE A LOSE BELT COMING FROM THE BACK SIDE OF THE ENGINE (THIS RECENTLY STARTED) AND THE FOURTH ISSUE IS WHEN I'M COMING DOWN TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN EVEN WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BREAKS THERE IS A METAL CLINGING SOUND THAT DOESN'T STOP UNTIL THE CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR ONLY HAS 17K MILES AND IS NEVER ABUSED , AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED.

NHTSA ODI #11176071

550 miles · Dec 16, 2018
Engine

ENGINE HAS A LOUD TICKING SOUND. SOUND LIKE A SLOW TYPEWRITER. I HAVE A A VIDEO WITH THE NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #11161810

6,500 miles · Dec 14, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE. THE DEALER (FIVE STAR FORD, 6618 NE LOOP 820, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76180) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500.

NHTSA ODI #11161423

1,500 miles · Aug 21, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemCrashFireInjury

I PURCHASED A NEW 2018 FORD MUSTANG 2 DR 4 CYL ECOBOOST ON JULY 9TH 2018. ON AUGUST 15, AFTER HAVING DINNER WITH PARENTS AT THE HOUSE, I WENT TO VISIT SOME FRIENDS IN DAVIE AND IT WAS APROX 7:45 PM WHILE DRIVING ON A 4 LANE ROAD DIVIDED BY A MEDIAN. ROAD HAS FREQUENT SPEEDBUMPS AND THE MEDIAN HAS MATURE TREES. WHILE TRAVELING…

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I PURCHASED A NEW 2018 FORD MUSTANG 2 DR 4 CYL ECOBOOST ON JULY 9TH 2018. ON AUGUST 15, AFTER HAVING DINNER WITH PARENTS AT THE HOUSE, I WENT TO VISIT SOME FRIENDS IN DAVIE AND IT WAS APROX 7:45 PM WHILE DRIVING ON A 4 LANE ROAD DIVIDED BY A MEDIAN. ROAD HAS FREQUENT SPEEDBUMPS AND THE MEDIAN HAS MATURE TREES. WHILE TRAVELING ON THIS ROAD - I FELT NAUSEOUS AND PLACED BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUDDENLY THE ROAD BECAME BLURRY AND I LOST CONCIOUSNESS AND STRUCK A TREE IN THE MEDIAN. THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND ACCORDING TO A POLICE OFFICER, HE TRIED TO REVIVE ME AND TO HELP ME GET OUT, HOWEVER MY LEGS WERE BROKEN AND INJURED. MY RIGHT LEG WAS BROKEN AND MY LEFT LEG WAS BADLY INJURED. I WAS WEARING A HIGH BOOT ON THE LEFT FOOT AND NO BOOT ON THE RIGHT FOOT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE COMFORTABLY. SECONDS AFTER THE POLICE OFFICER REMOVED ME FROM THE CAR, THE CAR EXPLODED. I BELIEVE THAT I WAS SOLD A DEFECTIVE CAR THAT LEAKED POISENOUS GASES WHICH CAUSED ME TO PASS OUT AND CRASH I TO A TREE. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE POLICE OFFICER, I WOULD HAVE DIED TRAPPED IN THE BURNING CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11121499

700 miles · May 7, 2018
Engine

SIGNIFICANT ENGINE RATTLE BETWEEN 2000-2500 RPM UNDER LIGHT LOAD. RATTLE IS LOUDEST IN THIRD GEAR AT 2200 RPM. SERVICE TECHNICIAN DUPLICATED THE ENGINE RATTLE AND FOUND DAMAGE TO CYLINDERS 5-8 AND SUBMITTED HIS REPORT ALONG WITH PHOTOS TO FORD. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. FORD ONLY APPROVED A NEW SHOR…

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SIGNIFICANT ENGINE RATTLE BETWEEN 2000-2500 RPM UNDER LIGHT LOAD. RATTLE IS LOUDEST IN THIRD GEAR AT 2200 RPM. SERVICE TECHNICIAN DUPLICATED THE ENGINE RATTLE AND FOUND DAMAGE TO CYLINDERS 5-8 AND SUBMITTED HIS REPORT ALONG WITH PHOTOS TO FORD. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. FORD ONLY APPROVED A NEW SHORT BLOCK.

NHTSA ODI #11092220

20 miles · Apr 30, 2018
Engine

2018 MUSTANG GT WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ENGINE STALLS WHEN SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL (MANUAL TRANS) AT HIGHER ENGINE SPEEDS. FOR EXAMPLE, COMING UP TO A RED LIGHT (WAS TRAVELING APPROX 50MPH) OR WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY (WAS TRAVELING 65MPH AND THEN WAS TURNING AROUND AN OFF-RAMP). HAS OCCURED AT ANY DRIVING SPEED (IF REVVING EN…

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2018 MUSTANG GT WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ENGINE STALLS WHEN SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL (MANUAL TRANS) AT HIGHER ENGINE SPEEDS. FOR EXAMPLE, COMING UP TO A RED LIGHT (WAS TRAVELING APPROX 50MPH) OR WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY (WAS TRAVELING 65MPH AND THEN WAS TURNING AROUND AN OFF-RAMP). HAS OCCURED AT ANY DRIVING SPEED (IF REVVING ENGINE AT FULL STOP, OR WHILE TRAVELING). STALLING DOES NOT OCCUR IF THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS ENGAGED WHILE SLOWING DOWN. IF I SHIFT TO NEUTRAL WHEN THE ENGINE IS NEAR IT'S NORMAL IDLE SPEED (500 RPM AFTER WARM-UP), IT WILL NOT STALL. THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL ABOVE ~2,000 RPM, AND ONLY AFTER THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP. THE PROBLEM WAS PRESENT FROM THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW. AT 1500 MILES I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY REPRODUCE THE ISSUE TOGETHER WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR. IN SOME INSTANCES, THE ENGINE SPEED WILL DROP BELOW IDLE SPEED AND THEN WILL RECOVER AND NOT STALL. I MADE A RECORDING OF THE CAN BUS TO TRY TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE ON MY OWN, WHICH IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. IT SEEMS THAT THE ENGINE CONTROLLER IS REQUESTING MORE TORQUE FROM THE ENGINE WHEN THE SPEED DROPS, BUT THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RESPOND TO THE REQUEST AND THE ENGINE WILL STALL. NO DTCS OR WARNING LIGHTS WERE GIVEN TO INDICATE THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE. NO MODIFICATIONS WERE MADE TO THE CAR, AND IS IN COMPLETELY 'STOCK' CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI #11091047

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.