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2011 Ford Mustang

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mustang years

Owner complaints for the 2011 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

338 reports with mileage · 128 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 200 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 125 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 48 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 reports1 fire reports10 injury reports

Power Train complaints

200 reports
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2,000 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Power Train

SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN IN MY POSSESSION, 3RD GEAR HAS ALWAYS HAD ISSUES. IT GRINDS FROM TIME TO TIME, AND THE TRANSMISSION PUSHES ME OUT OF 3RD GEAR WHEN MY FOOT IS COMPLETELY DOWN ON THE CLUTCH. IT HAS ALSO DEVELOPED AN INCREASINGLY LOUD WHINING NOISE THROUGHOUT ALL THE GEARS WHILE ACCELERATING. THE SHIFTS WHEN COLD ARE ROUGH, …

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SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN IN MY POSSESSION, 3RD GEAR HAS ALWAYS HAD ISSUES. IT GRINDS FROM TIME TO TIME, AND THE TRANSMISSION PUSHES ME OUT OF 3RD GEAR WHEN MY FOOT IS COMPLETELY DOWN ON THE CLUTCH. IT HAS ALSO DEVELOPED AN INCREASINGLY LOUD WHINING NOISE THROUGHOUT ALL THE GEARS WHILE ACCELERATING. THE SHIFTS WHEN COLD ARE ROUGH, DOESN'T FEEL AS IT SHOULD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418156

6,200 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Power Train

DURING HARD ACCELERATION, WITH CLUTCH FULLY DEPRESSED AND FOOT OFF THE GAS, CANNOT SHIFT INTO SECOND AND SOMETIMES THIRD GEAR. MUST SKIP DIRECTLY TO 4TH. THIS OCCURS EVEN UNDER FULL ACCELERATION, BUT NOT DURING EASY ACCELERATION. HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY TO QUICKLY SHIFT TO SECOND OR THIRD. ALSO…

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DURING HARD ACCELERATION, WITH CLUTCH FULLY DEPRESSED AND FOOT OFF THE GAS, CANNOT SHIFT INTO SECOND AND SOMETIMES THIRD GEAR. MUST SKIP DIRECTLY TO 4TH. THIS OCCURS EVEN UNDER FULL ACCELERATION, BUT NOT DURING EASY ACCELERATION. HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY TO QUICKLY SHIFT TO SECOND OR THIRD. ALSO HAD ISSUES SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD UNDER HARD ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418132

400 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 MUSTANG GT WITH A MT82 TRANS IT CONTINUALLY GRINDS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR EVEN IF YOU TAKE YOUR TIME AND FINESSE IT..IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH 400 MILES ON THE CLOCK, AND IN THE COLD WEATHER FORGET IT AS YOU WILL NEVER GET IT TO WORK, IT IS A SHAME I HAD TO PURCHASE A WINTER CAR T…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 MUSTANG GT WITH A MT82 TRANS IT CONTINUALLY GRINDS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR EVEN IF YOU TAKE YOUR TIME AND FINESSE IT..IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH 400 MILES ON THE CLOCK, AND IN THE COLD WEATHER FORGET IT AS YOU WILL NEVER GET IT TO WORK, IT IS A SHAME I HAD TO PURCHASE A WINTER CAR TO DRIVE AND HAVING TO PARK A NEW CAR JUST IS NOT RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418127

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2011
Power Train

GOING ON 10,000 MILES ON 2011 MUSTANG GT WITH MANUAL 6-SPD. AT FIRST SHOWED VERY NOTCHY SHIFTING, AND GEARS WOULD GRIND WITH CLUTCH DEPRESSED COMPLETELY WHEN COLD. PROBLEM WENT AWAY ONCE THE TRANSMISSION WARMED UP. TOOK IT IN TO FORD DEALER, THEY CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, NOW YOU CAN FEEL A VIBRATION AND WHIRR/GRINDI…

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GOING ON 10,000 MILES ON 2011 MUSTANG GT WITH MANUAL 6-SPD. AT FIRST SHOWED VERY NOTCHY SHIFTING, AND GEARS WOULD GRIND WITH CLUTCH DEPRESSED COMPLETELY WHEN COLD. PROBLEM WENT AWAY ONCE THE TRANSMISSION WARMED UP. TOOK IT IN TO FORD DEALER, THEY CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, NOW YOU CAN FEEL A VIBRATION AND WHIRR/GRINDING NOISE SOMETIMES IN 1ST-3RD. EXTREMELY NOTCHY NOW, WILL FREQUENTLY NOT ENGAGE A GEAR IF UNDER ACCELERATION. I HAVE HAD 2ND AND 3RD GEAR REFUSE TO ENGAGE SEVERAL TIMES NOW WHILE ON A FREEWAY ONRAMP, WHEN PASSING, AND IN GENERAL HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL LOAD CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418103

976 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Power Train

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION REFUSES TO GO IN TO REVERSE AT TIMES. ALSO GRINDS EVERYTIME WHILE SHIFTING IN TO 2ND GEAR FROM 1ST GEAR, MAINLY WHILE TURNING CORNERS BUT ALSO WHEN GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. TRANSMISSIONS PERFORMANCE DOES NOT IMPROVE AFTER COMING TO NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. TRANSMISSION IS CLUNKY AND JUST DOES NOT SHI…

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VEHICLE TRANSMISSION REFUSES TO GO IN TO REVERSE AT TIMES. ALSO GRINDS EVERYTIME WHILE SHIFTING IN TO 2ND GEAR FROM 1ST GEAR, MAINLY WHILE TURNING CORNERS BUT ALSO WHEN GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. TRANSMISSIONS PERFORMANCE DOES NOT IMPROVE AFTER COMING TO NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. TRANSMISSION IS CLUNKY AND JUST DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. NOT SMOOTH, NOT NEW CAR LIKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418082

3,800 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IN MY 2011 FORD MUSTANG GT 6-SPEED MANUAL, (PRESENTLY @ 4900 MILES)HAS ISSUES OF TRYING TO ENTER SECOND GEAR ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. AS WELL AS A TERRIBLE WHINING NOISE STARTED AROUND LATE 3000MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418077

800 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION GRINDS FROM 1ST-2ND WHEN COLD AND INTERMITTENTLY WHEN AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE. TSB FOR "ROUGH SHIFTING" HAS BEEN PERFORMED. WHINING FROM TRANSMISSION STARTED AROUND 800 MILES AND STILL REMAINS. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR VEHICLE FREQUENTLY LOCKS ME OUT LEAVING ME SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC TO FIND A GEAR …

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TRANSMISSION GRINDS FROM 1ST-2ND WHEN COLD AND INTERMITTENTLY WHEN AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE. TSB FOR "ROUGH SHIFTING" HAS BEEN PERFORMED. WHINING FROM TRANSMISSION STARTED AROUND 800 MILES AND STILL REMAINS. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR VEHICLE FREQUENTLY LOCKS ME OUT LEAVING ME SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC TO FIND A GEAR THAT WILL ENGAGE. ALSO EXPERIENCE LOCK OUT WHEN DOWN SHIFTING INTO EITHER 2ND OR 1ST GEAR. THESE ERRATIC SHIFTING ISSUES ARE A DAILY OCCURRENCE AND I'M CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418075

1 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Power Train

6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION HARD SHIFTING, ALSO PRONOUNCED VIBRATION ON DECELERATION AT APPROX 2500 RPM - 2200-RPM. DEALER CLAIMS IS NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418041

10,000 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Power Train

NORMAL EVERYDAY DRIVING, MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW AND AT THIS TIME IT HAS ABOUT 10K MILES. SINCE I BOUGHT IT I NOTICED IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO GEARS. OVER TIME IT GOT WORSE. IT GOT TO THE POINT THAT I COULD NOT PUT IT INTO REVERSE AND FIRST GEAR, I HAD TO START OUT IN SECOND…

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NORMAL EVERYDAY DRIVING, MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW AND AT THIS TIME IT HAS ABOUT 10K MILES. SINCE I BOUGHT IT I NOTICED IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO GEARS. OVER TIME IT GOT WORSE. IT GOT TO THE POINT THAT I COULD NOT PUT IT INTO REVERSE AND FIRST GEAR, I HAD TO START OUT IN SECOND GEAR. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE SHOP TO REPAIR THE ITEM AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE CLUTCH PLATE. BOTTOM LINE IS THAT IT WAS A BRAND NEW CAR AND SHOULDN'T HAVE THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. I ALSO FEEL THAT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH THE DEALER WILL NOT ADMIT TO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418036

10,200 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AT 25 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFT SEIZED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SHIFT HAD TO BE FORCED INTO GEARS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,2…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AT 25 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFT SEIZED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SHIFT HAD TO BE FORCED INTO GEARS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,200.

NHTSA ODI #10417985

Official recalls

4

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

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: 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

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: 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

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: 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.

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.

16V384000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 31, 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang 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 model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang 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." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, 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. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. 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.

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.

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

1

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.