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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

191 reports
43,000 miles · Jun 13, 2020
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

PASSENGER DOOR COMES OPEN AS THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11328616

45,087 miles · Jun 12, 2020
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE PASSENGER DOOR BECOMES AJAR BY ITSELF. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. HAS HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY, WHILE TURNING AND WHILE GOING DOWN A CITY STREET. HAPPENED JUST NOW ON WAY TO HOUSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11328597

418,792 miles · Jun 12, 2020
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

PASSENGER DOOR COMES OPEN WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS DONE IT ON HIGHWAY AND ON REGULAR STREETS . IT HAS DONE IT WHILE DRIVING 70 MILES AN HOUR AND AT 30 MILES AN HOUR. IT DOES IT EVEN WHEN IT IS IN THE LOCKED POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11328584

37,000 miles · Jun 9, 2020
Back Over Prevention

MY SYNC 3 SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING, MY ENTIRE SCREEN WENT BLACK BACK IN JANUARY AND IT HASNT TURNED ON SINCE AND THAT INCLUDES MY BACKUP CAMERA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327948

28,890 miles · May 3, 2020
Unknown Or Other

PAINT FADING AROUND THE EDGES OF PANELS ON THE METALLIC BLACK COATING. HAVE MULTIPLE SPOTS WHERE THE PAINT IS FADING OUT TO WHITE

NHTSA ODI #11323134

46,000 miles · Mar 25, 2020
Steering

WHILE DRIVING MY MUSTANG ON THE INTERSTATE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING THE CAR EXTREMELY UNSTABLE. IT TOOK TREMENDOUS EFFORT TO STEER THE CAR SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11319233

5,000 miles · Mar 16, 2020
Engine

SO AT COLD START WHEN DRIVING WITHING 1800-2600 I GET THIS RATTLE PISTON SLAP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. I CHECKED FLUIDS NOT LOW ON ENGINE OIL. ONCE ENGINE GETS HOT ITLL STOP. HOWEVER IT DOES INCREASE IF I ACCELERATE. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING NEXT DAY I GOT MY CAR I REALIZED IT.

NHTSA ODI #11318191

30,000 miles · Feb 27, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I BOUGHT MY FORD MUSTANG ON JUNE 2018. WHEN THE MILES HIT 30,000, THE ENGINE SHAKES EVERY TIME MY VEHICLE STARTS, AND MY WHOLE CAR SHAKES NOTICEABLY WHEN IDLING. THE EXHAUST GAS FLOW FROM THE CAR HAS OBVIOUS INTERMITTENT, MEANWHILE, THE EXHAUST PIPE SHAKES A LOT, AND YOU CAN CLEARLY HEAR THE "BURST" SOUND OR THUMP. IN ADDITION…

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I BOUGHT MY FORD MUSTANG ON JUNE 2018. WHEN THE MILES HIT 30,000, THE ENGINE SHAKES EVERY TIME MY VEHICLE STARTS, AND MY WHOLE CAR SHAKES NOTICEABLY WHEN IDLING. THE EXHAUST GAS FLOW FROM THE CAR HAS OBVIOUS INTERMITTENT, MEANWHILE, THE EXHAUST PIPE SHAKES A LOT, AND YOU CAN CLEARLY HEAR THE "BURST" SOUND OR THUMP. IN ADDITION, MY WHOLE CAR HAS OBVIOUS JITTERS AT LOW SPEEDS OF MORE THAN 2,000, AND THE ACCELERATION IS WEAK. WHEN THE SPEED IS HIGH YOU CAN FEEL A LITTLE LESS JITTERY. IT IS NOT JITTERY UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS OF THE ENGINE. WHEN MY AUTO IS ON D OR R, IT DOESN'T MOVE AFTER I RELEASE THE BRAKE. PLUS, THE VARIABLE BOX OCCASIONALLY MAKES A STRANGE NOISE AND VEHICLE COOLANT DOES NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHAT SCARES ME THE MOST IS THAT ONE TIME I WAS DRIVING ON L-595 HIGH WAY, MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AUTOMATICALLY, I TRIED TO RESTART IT BUT FAILED, I WAS PANIC, I HAD TO WAIT FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES ON THE HIGH SPEED ROAD TO TRY TO RESTART THE CAR AGAIN. LUCKILY I PULLED MY CAR IN THE EMERGENCY LANE, I CAN'T IMAGE IF IT WASN'T. AFTER ALL THOSE, I WENT TO MY DEALER AT PLANTATION FL, THEY CAN FIX FOR ME SINCE MY CAR IS STILL UNDER COVERAGE BUT I DON'T WANT GET IT REPAIRED. I DEEPLY DOUBT WHETHER THE REPAIR WOULD COMPLETELY FIX THOSE ISSUES. PLEASE HELP AND ADVICE IF I CAN GET MY CAR RECALLED? I WAS LOOKING FOR A CAR THAT I ALWAYS WANTED BUT NOT HANGING BY A THREAD.

NHTSA ODI #11311847

41,000 miles · Feb 13, 2020
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING THE 12" LED INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS GONE DARK FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS PANELS SHOWS SPEED, TACH, FUEL GAUGE, TEMP, OIL PRESSURE, I FOUND A RECALL FOR SIMILAR ISSUE ON THE 2019 MUSTANG AND OTHER FORD AUTOS. THIS MAY BE JUST SHOWING UP ON THE 2018 MUSTANG.

NHTSA ODI #11308972

5,000 miles · Jan 27, 2020
Power Train

INTERMITTENTLY, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL BE STUCK TO THE FLOOR AFTER PRESSING IT TO SWITCH GEARS. IT HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I WAS GOING FROM NEUTRAL TO 1ST GEAR AND FROM 1ST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS THE CAR STALLED AND I ALMOST HIT SOMEONE AND SOMEONE ALMOST HIT ME. IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED TO ME 2 TIMES IN TH…

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INTERMITTENTLY, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL BE STUCK TO THE FLOOR AFTER PRESSING IT TO SWITCH GEARS. IT HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I WAS GOING FROM NEUTRAL TO 1ST GEAR AND FROM 1ST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS THE CAR STALLED AND I ALMOST HIT SOMEONE AND SOMEONE ALMOST HIT ME. IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED TO ME 2 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH BECAUSE I FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CLUTCH RETURN LINE IS AT FAULT BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE VERY SHORT. BECAUSE OF IT BEING SHORT, IT HAS A LOT OF TENSION ON IT. BECAUSE OF THE CAR HAVING A FLAT PLANE CRANK, I BELIEVE THE EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS THAT THE ENGINE CREATES MIGHT MAKE THIS LINE BACK OFF OVER TIME. MY CAR ONLY HAD 5,000 MILES WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. THE LINE IS AN INTERFERENCE FIT ON THE FLUID RESERVOIR AND ITS CAUSE THE LINE TO SLOWLY LEAK EVERY TIME YOU TOUCH THE LINE BECAUSE THE SEAL ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH. TO TEMPERATELY REMEDY THIS ISSUE, I HAVE JUST BEEN PUSHING THE LINE BACK ON. THIS ISN'T A GOOD FIX AND FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY AT SPEED. THE PICTURE ATTACHED IS A PICTURE OF THE LINE THAT IS IN QUESTION. IN THE PICTURE, THE LINE WAS FITTED CORRECTLY ON THE FLUID RESERVOIR. THIS IS JUST TO SHOW THE FAULTY LINE IN QUESTION. I HOPE FORD CAN RECALL THESE CARS ASAP BECAUSE I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT REALLY.

NHTSA ODI #11302277

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.