Power Train. Review the 177 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 158 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 35 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 reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

Power Train complaints

177 reports

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Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2011

Power Train

SIX SPEED MANUAL MT-82 TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD WHEN COLD MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424537

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2011

Power Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT BETWEEN THIRD AND FOURTH GEARS AND WOULD HEAR A LOUD GRINDING NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10424457

250 miles · Sep 6, 2011

Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER DESIGNED THE VEHICLE IN A MANNER THAT WOULD AVOID UP SHIFTING WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250.

NHTSA ODI #10423950

2,000 miles · Sep 4, 2011

Power Train

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I BOUGHT A 2012 MUSTANG GT PREMIUM IN APRIL. STARTING AT ABOUT 2000 MILES, MY CAR HAS HAD A LARGE "THUNK" WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, OCCASIONALLY CAUSING A "LOCK-OUT." USUALLY, THIS LOCKOUT OCCURS AT LOW SPEEDS (I.E. UNDER 15 MPH) OR OCCASIONALLY WILL OCCUR WHEN STOPPED THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP A TOTAL OF 3+ TIMES, WITH THE FIRST ACTION BEING A REPLACEMENT OF THE FLUID PER THE TSB. WHILE THIS IMPROVED THE ISSUE, IT DID NOT RESOLVE IT. THE SECOND TIME IT WAS DROPPED OFF, ONE OF THE SERVICE CONSULTANTS RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE. I REMOVED THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP SINCE I WAS GOING ON A LONG VACATION WITH THE CAR. AFTER DROPPING IT OFF THE THIRD TIME, THE ISSUE WAS RECOGNIZED AGAIN (AFTER MUCH DELAY). THE DEALERSHIP TESTED ANOTHER CAR OF SIMILAR MILES, WHICH WAS "NOTCHY" BUT NOT TO THE EXTENT OF MY OWN VEHICLE. REGARDLESS, IT WAS NOT FOUND TO BE "EXCESSIVE." I ESCALATED MY CLAIM THROUGH A FORD SERVICE REP WHO SUBSEQUENTLY CALLED AND EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS NOT "EXCESSIVE" ENOUGH AND THAT THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM TO THE EXTENT I EXPERIENCE. I PROCEEDED TO REQUEST A TEST DRIVE WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE SIMILAR FEEL, BUT NONE OF THE NOISE OR "LOCK-OUT." I AGREED TO DRIVE ANOTHER COLLECTION OF MILES, BUT THE LOCK-OUT IS STILL PRESENT AT REGULAR INTERVALS, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS A SYSTEMATIC SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423242

475 miles · Sep 2, 2011

Power Train

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THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION HAS REACHED FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. IF YOU DON'T LEAVE IT IN REVERSE OVERNIGHT, YOU SIMPLY HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE CAR TO REACH THAT TEMPERATURE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. IT IS ALSO EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 1ST, 2ND OR 3RD GEAR UNTIL THE CAR HAS WARMED UP FOR 5-10 MINUTES. THIS MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS TO TURN/MERGE INTO TRAFFIC IF YOU HAVEN'T ALLOWED THE CAR TO REACH FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. I HAVE HAD NO ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION ONCE THE CAR IS FULLY WARMED UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423087

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2011

Power Train

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I HAVE A 2012 MUSTANG WITH THE GETRAG MT82 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION WITH THE KNOW ISSUE OF NOTCHY SHIFTING AND SOMETIMES NOT GOING INTO GEAR. MORE THAN ONCE WHILE MAKING A TURN I FOUND MYSELF GOING TO SLOW FOR SECOND GEAR AND WHEN TRYING TO GO TO FIRST GEAR I AM LOCKED OUT. SO I AM FORCED TO EITHER UNEXPECTEDLY SLOW DOWN TO A NEAR STOP TO GO INTO FIRST WHICH COULD LEAD TO A ACCIDENT, OR GO TO SECOND AND HOPE I DON'T STALL. THIS IS A PROBLEM I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED IN ANY OTHER MANUAL CAR I HAVE DRIVEN (2007 HONDA CIVIC, AND 2009 FORD MUSTANG). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10422964

1,500 miles · Aug 31, 2011

Power Train

2012 MUSTANG GT 5.0 BUILD 2/11. SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR HAS A LITTLE GRIND BUT FEELS BETTER OR COMPLETELY GOES AWAY AS THE CAR WARMS UP, ALSO WHEN TURNING SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND HAS A GRIND NO MATTER IF THE CAR IS WARMED UP OR NOT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN LOCKED OUT OF 3RD GEAR UNDER ACCELERATION. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN …

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NHTSA ODI #10422817

5,700 miles · Aug 30, 2011

Power Train

NOTICED A TRANSMISSION LEAK WHILE ROTATING TIRES. TOOK IT TO MY FORD DEALER, WHO EXAMINED THE LEAK AND INFORMED ME THAT THE FORWARD TRANSMISSION SEAL FAILED. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE THE SEAL. UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS INTERNAL DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS 2 MONT…

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NHTSA ODI #10422603

500 miles · Aug 28, 2011

Power Train

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THIS VEHICLE IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. SHIFTING INTO REVERSE IS A CHALLENGE REQUIRING UNUSUALLY HIGH EFFORT TO ENGAGE PUSH-DOWN MECHANISM. SHIFTING INTO 1ST FROM STANDSTILL IS USUALLY DIFFICULT AND NOTCHY, SOMETIMES REQUIRING ME TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN, EVEN WHEN I AM BLOCKING TRAFFIC. 1ST-2ND SHIFTING IS SOMETIMES UNCERTAIN AS IS 2-3, 3-4. DOWNSHIFTING INTO 3RD AND 2ND GRINDS SOMETIMES. CLUTCH FULLY DEPRESSED FULLY AT ALL TIMES DURING SHIFTS. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO FEELS AND SOUNDS VERY CLUNKY UPON CLUTCH DEPRESS/RELEASE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10422322

1,000 miles · Aug 18, 2011

Power Train

NEWLY PURCHASED 2012 MUSTANG COUPE V6 HAS UNUSUAL TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEARS ON THE 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION.. THE SHIFTING IS NOT SMOOTH, AND FEELS NOTCHED AS YOU SLIDE IT INTO PLACE. INCIDENT OCCURS DAILY, AND CONCERNS ARE RISING FOR PREMATURE WEAR ON THE TRANSMISSION. CURRENTLY INQUIRIES HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE…

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NHTSA ODI #10419965

Official recalls

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

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

Air Bags:frontal

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.

17V024000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 10, 2017

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ 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 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan 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." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, 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. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. 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.

16V248000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Apr 27, 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.

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.

12V190000 · Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

May 3, 2012

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE R POSITION AND THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE R MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP ON THE REAR OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, OR MUSTANG VEHICLES MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. THESE CONDITIONS INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK DUE TO THE VEHICLES NOT SIGNALING IT IS IN REVERSE.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TRS AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE R POSITION AND THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE R MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP ON THE REAR OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, OR MUSTANG VEHICLES MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. THESE CONDITIONS INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK DUE TO THE VEHICLES NOT SIGNALING IT IS IN REVERSE.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TRS AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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

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.