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2018 Ford Mustang

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mustang years

Owner complaints for the 2018 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

93 reports with mileage · 98 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.

  • Engine. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

30 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 25, 2021
Electrical System

Touchscreen went completely black. Unable to operate radio, temperature control is only available in the buttons below the screen. Tried resetting it, tried unhooking the battery, nothing. Hooked it up to see if it had any codes, none. Tested fuses- everything worked except screen. Spent $158 at Ford dealer only to be told I ne…

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Touchscreen went completely black. Unable to operate radio, temperature control is only available in the buttons below the screen. Tried resetting it, tried unhooking the battery, nothing. Hooked it up to see if it had any codes, none. Tested fuses- everything worked except screen. Spent $158 at Ford dealer only to be told I need a new APIM module which in total is going to cost $740. Car has 56,000 miles on it and is only 3 years old.

NHTSA ODI #11418470

30,000 miles · Nov 4, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM (SYNC 3 W/ CARPLAY) THAT CAME STOCK WITH MY 2018 MUSTANG ECOBOOST RECENTLY STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR HAS 42K MILES ON IT AND IS JUST OVER 2 YEARS OLD. SYNC 3 STARTED TO RANDOMLY LAG (20-60 SEC LAG PER BUTTON PRESS), BUTTONS BECAME UNRESPONSIVE (PRESS NOT RECOGNIZED AT ALL), SHOWED INCORRECT GPS LOCATIONS W…

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THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM (SYNC 3 W/ CARPLAY) THAT CAME STOCK WITH MY 2018 MUSTANG ECOBOOST RECENTLY STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR HAS 42K MILES ON IT AND IS JUST OVER 2 YEARS OLD. SYNC 3 STARTED TO RANDOMLY LAG (20-60 SEC LAG PER BUTTON PRESS), BUTTONS BECAME UNRESPONSIVE (PRESS NOT RECOGNIZED AT ALL), SHOWED INCORRECT GPS LOCATIONS WHILE USING CARPLAY (PLUGGED IN) WITH MULTIPLE MAP SERVICES, BACKUP CAM ISSUES, AND WOULD CAUSE BLUETOOTH TO DISCONNECT RANDOMLY. I LOGGED A COMPLAINT WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND BROUGHT IT IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE APIM COMPONENT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE DEALERSHIP NOTED THIS IS COMMON AND PLAGUES OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME APIM. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH VERIFIED THIS. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THIS: WHILE USING THIS SYSTEM IT CAN CREATE MANY DISTRACTIONS WHILE DRIVING IF THE SYSTEM IS NOT RESPONDING AS EXPECTED. EVEN THE STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS HAVE A LAG TO THEM. ONE SUCH SCENARIO THAT CAUSED GREAT ISSUE WAS ADJUSTING THE CLIMATE CONTROL DURING COLDER MONTHS WHEN THE WINDOWS/WINDSHIELD FOG UP. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, YOU CAN'T SEE WHILE DRIVING. TYPICALLY, I CAN REACT QUICKLY TO GET RID OF THE FOG, BUT SINCE THIS COMPONENT IS DEFECTIVE, THE SYSTEM DID NOT RESPOND AND THE FOG HAD TO BE MANUALLY REMOVED. ADDITIONALLY, THIS COMPONENT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 2YR OF PURCHASE OF THE CAR, SINCE IT IS A COMPUTER. FORD OFFERED TO REPLACE THE APIM COMPONENT, FOR $1000 (WARRANTY EXPIRED AT TIME OF DIAGNOSTIC TEST). WHAT IS EVEN MORE RIDICULOUS IS THAT THEY WANT TO REPLACE IT WITH THE EXACT SAME MODEL NUMBER, WHICH TELLS ME IN ANOTHER 2YR I MAY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THIS ISSUE STARTED UP WHILE I WAS IN WARRANTY (~30K MI), BUT SEEMINGLY WENT AWAY UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN THE SYSTEM HAS BECOME PRACTICALLY UNUSABLE. FORD (CORPORATE) ALSO CANNOT PROVIDE ANY RATIONALE AS TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING, PER THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REP.

NHTSA ODI #11373044

52,000 miles · Aug 6, 2020
Electrical System

DIGITAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILS TO ILLUMINATE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN PROBLEM OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI #11343775

39,000 miles · Jul 7, 2020
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START-UP THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GWINNETT PLACE FORD LOCATED AT 3230 SATELLITE BLVD, DULUTH, GA 30096, (404) 418-6877, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START-UP THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GWINNETT PLACE FORD LOCATED AT 3230 SATELLITE BLVD, DULUTH, GA 30096, (404) 418-6877, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V814000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.*DT CONSUMER CANNOT SEE SPEED, ALERTS, AND LIGHTS.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11337997

30,000 miles · Feb 27, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

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 ADDITION…

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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 ADDITION, MY WHOLE CAR HAS OBVIOUS JITTERS AT LOW SPEEDS OF MORE THAN 2,000, AND THE ACCELERATION IS WEAK. WHEN THE SPEED IS HIGH YOU CAN FEEL A LITTLE LESS JITTERY. IT IS NOT JITTERY UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS OF THE ENGINE. WHEN MY AUTO IS ON D OR R, IT DOESN'T MOVE AFTER I RELEASE THE BRAKE. PLUS, THE VARIABLE BOX OCCASIONALLY MAKES A STRANGE NOISE AND VEHICLE COOLANT DOES NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHAT SCARES ME THE MOST IS THAT ONE TIME I WAS DRIVING ON L-595 HIGH WAY, MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AUTOMATICALLY, I TRIED TO RESTART IT BUT FAILED, I WAS PANIC, I HAD TO WAIT FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES ON THE HIGH SPEED ROAD TO TRY TO RESTART THE CAR AGAIN. LUCKILY I PULLED MY CAR IN THE EMERGENCY LANE, I CAN'T IMAGE IF IT WASN'T. AFTER ALL THOSE, I WENT TO MY DEALER AT PLANTATION FL, THEY CAN FIX FOR ME SINCE MY CAR IS STILL UNDER COVERAGE BUT I DON'T WANT GET IT REPAIRED. I DEEPLY DOUBT WHETHER THE REPAIR WOULD COMPLETELY FIX THOSE ISSUES. PLEASE HELP AND ADVICE IF I CAN GET MY CAR RECALLED? I WAS LOOKING FOR A CAR THAT I ALWAYS WANTED BUT NOT HANGING BY A THREAD.

NHTSA ODI #11311847

41,000 miles · Feb 13, 2020
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING THE 12" LED INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS GONE DARK FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS PANELS SHOWS SPEED, TACH, FUEL GAUGE, TEMP, OIL PRESSURE, I FOUND A RECALL FOR SIMILAR ISSUE ON THE 2019 MUSTANG AND OTHER FORD AUTOS. THIS MAY BE JUST SHOWING UP ON THE 2018 MUSTANG.

NHTSA ODI #11308972

6,200 miles · Oct 16, 2019
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS SEIZED FOR APPROXIMATELY THIRTY SECONDS WITHOUT WARNING. PHIL LONG FORD AT CHAPEL HILLS (1565 AUTO MALL LOOP, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80920, (844) 234-1769) WAS CONTACTED AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE FAILURE RECURR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS SEIZED FOR APPROXIMATELY THIRTY SECONDS WITHOUT WARNING. PHIL LONG FORD AT CHAPEL HILLS (1565 AUTO MALL LOOP, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80920, (844) 234-1769) WAS CONTACTED AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,200.

NHTSA ODI #11268992

20,000 miles · May 7, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI #11205946

3,000 miles · Feb 10, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 80MPH ON A 75 AND A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , THE CAR SHUT OFF AND LOCKED UP AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL. CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP , AND THE ENTIRE BOTTOM END WAS TORN APART AND A FEW ENGINE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. AFT…

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MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 80MPH ON A 75 AND A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , THE CAR SHUT OFF AND LOCKED UP AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL. CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP , AND THE ENTIRE BOTTOM END WAS TORN APART AND A FEW ENGINE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE CAR WILL AT RANDOM TIMES SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING , MAIN TIMES IS THE FREEWAY. SECOND ISSUE IS THE CAR HAS LOUD KNOCKING TO THE ENGINE , SOUNDS LIKE A LIFTED KNOCK , THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, AND MY CAR WAS NEXT TO A SAME YEAR MUSTANG TO COMPARE SOUND AND MINE WAS DEFINITELY KNOCKING COMPARED TO THE OTHER MUSTANG. THIRD ISSUE IS THERE IS A CONSTANT SQUEALING SOUND LIKE A LOSE BELT COMING FROM THE BACK SIDE OF THE ENGINE (THIS RECENTLY STARTED) AND THE FOURTH ISSUE IS WHEN I'M COMING DOWN TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN EVEN WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BREAKS THERE IS A METAL CLINGING SOUND THAT DOESN'T STOP UNTIL THE CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR ONLY HAS 17K MILES AND IS NEVER ABUSED , AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED.

NHTSA ODI #11176071

1,500 miles · Aug 21, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemCrashFireInjury

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 TRAVELING…

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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 TRAVELING ON THIS ROAD - I FELT NAUSEOUS AND PLACED BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUDDENLY THE ROAD BECAME BLURRY AND I LOST CONCIOUSNESS AND STRUCK A TREE IN THE MEDIAN. THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND ACCORDING TO A POLICE OFFICER, HE TRIED TO REVIVE ME AND TO HELP ME GET OUT, HOWEVER MY LEGS WERE BROKEN AND INJURED. MY RIGHT LEG WAS BROKEN AND MY LEFT LEG WAS BADLY INJURED. I WAS WEARING A HIGH BOOT ON THE LEFT FOOT AND NO BOOT ON THE RIGHT FOOT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE COMFORTABLY. SECONDS AFTER THE POLICE OFFICER REMOVED ME FROM THE CAR, THE CAR EXPLODED. I BELIEVE THAT I WAS SOLD A DEFECTIVE CAR THAT LEAKED POISENOUS GASES WHICH CAUSED ME TO PASS OUT AND CRASH I TO A TREE. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE POLICE OFFICER, I WOULD HAVE DIED TRAPPED IN THE BURNING CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11121499

Official recalls

3

25V572000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Sep 3, 2025

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

18V213000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Apr 4, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

17V814000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel; Electrical System:software

Dec 18, 2017

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

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."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

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."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.