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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17,115 miles · Dec 7, 2016

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND MERGING ONTO AN INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO FIFTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RESTARTED,…

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NHTSA ODI #10930367

80,000 miles · Nov 20, 2016

Power Train

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SINCE I'VE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW I HAVE HAD RANDOM ISSUES WITH THE CAR. FIRST I'VE EXPERIENCED A HUGE ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION, IT MAKES A VIBRATING/SHAKING PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING ON ANY STREET ANY SPEED. I HAVE OPERATED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE AND HAVE NEVER RAN ACROSS THIS. NO MATTER WHAT GEAR OR WHAT CONDITION IT CONSISTENTLY DOES THIS. FORD DEALER WAS TO NO HELP AT ALL. AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL START TO UNCONTROLLABLY SWERVE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STARTS BLINKING, THIS ISSUE IS UNKNOWN TO ME WHY THIS HAPPENS AND HAS ALMOST PUT ME IN AN ACCIDENT. SECONDLY, THE ENTIRE IGNITION TUMBLER JUST POPPED OUT. I CAN PULL THE IGNITION OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN.

NHTSA ODI #10927109

80,000 miles · Oct 20, 2016

EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WRENCH SENSOR AND CHECK ENGINE SENSOR INDICATORS SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILED TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS…

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NHTSA ODI #10917632

61,499 miles · Oct 8, 2016

Power Train

2012 FORD MUSTANG TRANSMISSION FAILURE. AT 61,499 THE VEHICLE AT A STOP ENTERING THE ROADWAY THE VEHICLE LURCHED AFTER A HARD SLAM IN THE TRANSMISSION THE RPMS WENT CRAZY AND THE VEHICLE SLOWLY ROLLED INTO THE ROADWAY. THE SERVICE WRENCH LIGHT UP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO 20 MPH. TOWED TO DEALER AND TOLD THE REPAIR WOULD COS…

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NHTSA ODI #10914920

34,400 miles · Oct 4, 2016

Power Train

FORD REFUSING TO ACCEPT RECALL FOR CAR; CAR HAS ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION LEAD FRAME. THE CAR WILL BE DRIVING AND WILL "HARD SHIFT" RANDOMLY. THE SPEEDOMETER GOES CRAZY AND I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN OR TURN OFF THE CAR FOR IT TO GO AWAY. RECALL EXISTS FOR MY MODELS TRANSMISSION LEAD FRAME ( I BELIEVE I MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS ) ISSUED…

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NHTSA ODI #10913812

59,999 miles · Sep 23, 2016

Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V248000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE …

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NHTSA ODI #10908947

35,111 miles · Sep 21, 2016

Power Train

2012 MUSTANG ONLY HAS 35,000 MILES AND WATER PUMP WENT OUT. DEALER STATES IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY! LUCKILY IT WENT OUT WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE AT HOME AND NOT ON A TRIP! ANTIFREEZE WAS EVERY WHERE WHEN I WENT TO GET IN THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING. THANKFULLY I SAW IT BEFORE OUR PETS DID!

NHTSA ODI #10908460

61,646 miles · Sep 19, 2016

Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LEAD FRAME ISSUE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V248000 (POWER TRAIN). T…

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NHTSA ODI #10907654

16,150 miles · Sep 13, 2016

Air BagsPower TrainCrashInjury

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH IN THE LEFT LANE, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR AND SEIZED THE REAR TIRES WHILE ON AN INCLINE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED THAT ACCUSED THE CONTACT OF CARELESS DRIVING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RIBS, BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,150. UPDATED 10/28/16*LJ THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION FROM 70 MPH IN 6TH GEAR TO FIRST AND PUSHED THE CONSUMER DOWN AN INCLINE INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE CONSUMER ATTACHED THE RECALL LETTER TO HIS COMPLAINT, REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR. UPDATED 11/0/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10906066

87,000 miles · Sep 6, 2016

Power Train

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YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THE 2012 MUSTANG HAS A DEFECTIVE PART CALLED A THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. FORD IS AWARE IT IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THEY WERE REPLACING THIS PART FREE OF CHARGE PRIOR TO JANUARY 2015. CURRENTLY IT IS NOT UNDER A SAFETY RECALL BUT IT MOST CERTAINLY SHOULD BE. WHEN YOU DRIVE A CAR WITH THIS DEFECT YOUR CAN AN ACCELERATE, OR DECELERATE, AT ITS OWN WILL. IT DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE COMMANDS THE DRIVER GIVES. IT JUST SUDDENLY SLOWS OR SPEEDS UP AS IT LIKES. IF YOU HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS IT MAY BE HARD TO UNDERSTAND HOW UNSAFE THIS CAN BE. IT IS NOT NAN EXPERIENCE I RECOMMEND TO ANYONE. FORD DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS A PROBLEM, BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR AS A RESULT. TRY TOOLING ALONG I-95 AT 65 MILES PER HOUR AND HAVING YOUR CAR SUDDENLY SLOW AND SHUDDER ALMOST TO A STOP...FUN TIMES. THIS DEFECT CREATES AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION THAT 100% UNACCEPTABLE AND YOU REALLY SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEFORE SOMEONE, (LIKE ME) GETS KILLED. I AM SURE SOMEONE HAS ALREADY HAD ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10903818

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.