KnownCarProblems2018 Ford Mustang Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 195 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Mustang, most often about the engine (33% of complaints, typically around 20,000 miles). It is 14th of 27 Mustang model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2018 Ford Mustang problems
Engine
64 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
Purchased a 2018 Ford Mustang sport edition and twice now once at about 15,000 miles and again at 20,000 miles, I lose half my power and the orange wrench light comes on. Ford has had my car for 4 days and does not know the cause of the problem.
Piston slap noise from engine. Ticking and thudding noise from idle to 2500 rpms. Can hear diesel type sound inside the car when at idle. Check engine light with code p0300 for engine misfire. Car is 1 year old and has oil consumption issues. Dealer is of no help saying all these are normal. My car shut off while…
Transmission
46 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 10,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
When putting my car into park and drive it doesnt want to switch, it takes a while for it to get into drive. I almost hit someone in front of me because when I put my car into drive, I pressed the gas lightly and the car didnt move. Until about 6 seconds then flew forward. Also when getting around the 10 MPH speed…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the reverse lock out collar failed to operate as needed. Due to the failure, the contact was able to freely shift the vehicle into reverse while driving. The contact practiced extreme precaution while driving to prevent the…
Electrical
31 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 31,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
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…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster remained blank. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the instrument panel cluster assembly (ipc) needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number…
Other or unspecified
23 complaints · 12%Body and structure
15 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
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.
The passenger side door comes open at low or high rate of speed. The driver side door does the same thing. My Mustang is a convertible so when the doors come open or ajared it is very frightening. This happens on the interstate or in the country or in the city. It is very dangerous situation. This happens at all…
Backup camera
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensing system, warnings, rearview system braking.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v572000 (back over prevention). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(r). The contact…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while parked, he attempted to access the trunk of the vehicle, and upon depressing the trunk release, he heard clicking, but the trunk failed to open. Upon investigation, the contact noticed that the trunk appeared stuck or jammed, with no external damages…
Doors and locks
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: doors.
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.
The passenger side door comes open at low or high rate of speed. The driver side door does the same thing. My Mustang is a convertible so when the doors come open or ajared it is very frightening. This happens on the interstate or in the country or in the city. It is very dangerous situation. This happens at all…
Fuel system
8 complaints · 4%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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Ford Mustang recalls
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: software
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 Ford Mustang
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Mustang?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (64 complaints, typically around 20,000 miles); transmission (46 complaints, typically around 10,000 miles); electrical (31 complaints, typically around 31,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Mustang have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 3, 2025 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Ford Mustang?
- It is 14th of 27 Mustang model years by number of complaints, with 195 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.