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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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55 miles · Apr 20, 2011
Power Train

2011 MUSTANG GT, MANUAL TRANSMISSION GRINDS SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. IT IS REAL BAD WHEN COLD AND GETS BETTER AS IT WARMS UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10396976

5,031 miles · Apr 19, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION JUMPING OUT OF GEAR DURING MOVING, IMPOSSIBLE TO DOWN SHIFT TO AID IN ENGINE BRAKING OR DODGING/AVOIDING OBSTACLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10396824

9,000 miles · Apr 16, 2011
Power Train

MT-82 TRANSMISSION HAS A CONSTANT WHINE SOUND THROUGH 2,3,4 GEAR AND WON'T ENGAGE IN 3RD AFTER 5K RPMS. 5TH GEAR CONSTANTLY GRINDS. CURRENTLY IN REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10396107

3,000 miles · Apr 16, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MY 2011 MUSTANG GT WITH THE 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHERE, INTERMITTENTLY, I HAVE ISSUES WITH SHIFTING INTO 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD GEAR WHERE I ENCOUNTER RESISTANCE AND/OR A METALLIC GRINDING SENSATION AND SOUND, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 1ST, 2ND OR 3RD GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10396085

3,000 miles · Apr 16, 2011
Power Train

2011 MUSTANG GT MANUAL TRANSMISSION.....VEHICLE SHIFTS VERY ROUGH AND FROM TIME TO TIME LOCKS 2ND AND 3RD GEAR OUT CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD AT INTERSECTIONS WHEN REQUIRED TO STOP. THIS LEADS TO GETTING INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND HAVE TO TRY TO JAM THE CAR INTO OR SKIP THAT GEAR ENTIRELY TO GET OUT OF THE INTERSECTIO…

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2011 MUSTANG GT MANUAL TRANSMISSION.....VEHICLE SHIFTS VERY ROUGH AND FROM TIME TO TIME LOCKS 2ND AND 3RD GEAR OUT CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD AT INTERSECTIONS WHEN REQUIRED TO STOP. THIS LEADS TO GETTING INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND HAVE TO TRY TO JAM THE CAR INTO OR SKIP THAT GEAR ENTIRELY TO GET OUT OF THE INTERSECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10396075

500 miles · Apr 14, 2011
Power Train

MT82 MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DIFFICULT ENGAGEMENT INTO ALL SPEEDS(FORWARD AND REVERSE). OCCASIONALLY LOCKED OUT OF 2ND GEAR, SOMETIMES DUE TO MPG SAVINGS SOLENOID OTHER TIMES NOT EXPLAINABLE. I BELIEVE THIS TRANSMISSION IS DANGEROUS DUE TO TIME TO NEEDED TO FIND ALTERNATIVE GEAR AND LACK OF POWER TO WHEELS COULD RESULT IN A COLL…

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MT82 MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DIFFICULT ENGAGEMENT INTO ALL SPEEDS(FORWARD AND REVERSE). OCCASIONALLY LOCKED OUT OF 2ND GEAR, SOMETIMES DUE TO MPG SAVINGS SOLENOID OTHER TIMES NOT EXPLAINABLE. I BELIEVE THIS TRANSMISSION IS DANGEROUS DUE TO TIME TO NEEDED TO FIND ALTERNATIVE GEAR AND LACK OF POWER TO WHEELS COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION, MOST NOTABLY IN A MERGING, CROSSING OR AVOIDANCE MANEUVER. MANUFACTURER'S ONLY DOCUMENTED FIX IS TO REPLACE FLUID, WHICH WAS ACCOMPLISHED AND DID NOT CHANGE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395896

3,000 miles · Apr 14, 2011
Power Train

HARD TO SHIFT WHEN COLD, GRINDS GOING INTO 2ND FROM 1ST, GRINDS GOING INTO 3RD FROM 2ND, GETS BETTER WARMED UP,BUT STILL DOES IT WHEN WARM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395884

14,000 miles · Apr 14, 2011
Power Train

I WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE 2ND OR 3RD GEAR WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE SHIFTER GRINDED WHILE GOING INTO 4TH GEAR. THE LEVER WAS ABLE TO BE MOVED BACK INTO 2ND AND 3RD AFTER BUT WOULD OCCASIONALLY GRIND JUST AS IT DID FOR 4TH GEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MORE THAN A FEW OCCASIONS AND FORD HAS AS OF YET BEEN UNWILLING TO PROPERLY ADD…

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I WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE 2ND OR 3RD GEAR WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE SHIFTER GRINDED WHILE GOING INTO 4TH GEAR. THE LEVER WAS ABLE TO BE MOVED BACK INTO 2ND AND 3RD AFTER BUT WOULD OCCASIONALLY GRIND JUST AS IT DID FOR 4TH GEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MORE THAN A FEW OCCASIONS AND FORD HAS AS OF YET BEEN UNWILLING TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THIS FEELS LIKE A SAFETY RISK FOR THE SIMPLE FACT THAT THE CAR HAS ISSUES DOING WHAT YOU TELL IT TO DO. IF I CAN'T SHIFT INTO A GEAR IN AN EMERGENCY MANEUVER I MAY BE UNABLE TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE BECAUSE I'M UNABLE TO MOVE MY CAR I WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT THIS VERY DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR THAT I AND MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO HELP ME BUT AS THEY PUT IT FORD HAS TIED THEIR HANDS. THEY HAVE CHANGED MY TRANSMISSION OIL TO A LIGHTER WEIGHT TO NO EFFECT. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS TOLD ME THAT AS MY CAR STANDS NOW, THERE IS LITTLE HE CAN DO UNTIL FORD SAYS OTHERWISE. THESE ISSUES PERSIST HOT OR COLD BUT ARE VERY NOTICEABLE IN COLDER WEATHER. BE WARNED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395880

1,900 miles · Apr 2, 2011
Power Train

WHEN GOING DOWNHILL IN 2011 MUSTANG IN 3RD OR 4TH GET STRONG VIBRATION IN DRIVE TRAIN ALONG WITH ROUGH GEAR SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. RPM RANGE IS ONLY BETWEEN 2 AND 3 RPM WHEN GOING DOWNHILL. THIS HAS HAPPEN BEFORE BUT AM NOTICING THE ISSUE IS STARTING TO PRESENT ITSELF MORE AND MORE FOR BOTH SITUATIONS. WITH ONLY 1900 MI…

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WHEN GOING DOWNHILL IN 2011 MUSTANG IN 3RD OR 4TH GET STRONG VIBRATION IN DRIVE TRAIN ALONG WITH ROUGH GEAR SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. RPM RANGE IS ONLY BETWEEN 2 AND 3 RPM WHEN GOING DOWNHILL. THIS HAS HAPPEN BEFORE BUT AM NOTICING THE ISSUE IS STARTING TO PRESENT ITSELF MORE AND MORE FOR BOTH SITUATIONS. WITH ONLY 1900 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394032

14,400 miles · Mar 24, 2011
Power Train

I HAD AN ISSUE TODAY THAT WAS DANGEROUS AND HAD POTENTIAL TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MY CAR'S SHIFT LEVER BECAME STUCK AND WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR AND I HAD TO FORCE IT BACK TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION WHILE COMING TO A STOP LIGHT.. THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN MY 2011 FORD MUSTANG GT HAS BEEN WHINING AND GRINDING GEARS SINCE THE CLUTCH WAS …

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I HAD AN ISSUE TODAY THAT WAS DANGEROUS AND HAD POTENTIAL TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MY CAR'S SHIFT LEVER BECAME STUCK AND WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR AND I HAD TO FORCE IT BACK TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION WHILE COMING TO A STOP LIGHT.. THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN MY 2011 FORD MUSTANG GT HAS BEEN WHINING AND GRINDING GEARS SINCE THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW (ONLY TO GET THE EXACT SAME CLUTCH ASSEMBLY), AND WILL BE GOING BACK TO THE DEALER MARCH 29TH TO HOPEFULLY GET THE TRANS REPLACED (W/ THE EXACT SAME TRANS THAT HAS ALL THESE KNOWN ISSUES). I IMAGINE THIS WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN THE CAR IS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THIS IS MY ONLY AND FIRST BRAND NEW CAR, I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THESE DANGEROUS PROBLEMS, LET ALONG TAKING MY BRAND NEW CAR TO A DEALERSHIP TO KEEP GETTING REPAIRED OVER AND OVER AGAIN BECAUSE THE FAILING PARTS ARE JUST BEING REPLACED W/ THE SAME PARTS ONLY TO FAIL OVER AND OVER AGAIN. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND REPLACE THIS TRANS W/ AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT/DEPENDABLE MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I HAVE OWNED 7 MUSTANGS, AND THIS BRAND NEW ONE HAS HAD MORE TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH PROBLEMS THEN ANY CAR I HAVE EVER HAD.. WORSE OFF ITS THE MOST $$ I HAVE EVER SPENT ON A CAR AS WELL.. $30K. FOR PARTS THAT KEEP FAILING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392729

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.