2018 Ford Mustang problems, complaints & recalls

2018 Ford Mustang recalls (3)

• Recall 25V572000Sep 3, 20251,456,417 vehicles
  BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 18V213000Apr 4, 2018142 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 17V814000Dec 18, 20172,100 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · 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."

  Risk: 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.

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Recent 2018 Ford Mustang complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 2, 2026ALEngine

   Check engine light came on Sunday night. Monday had AutoZone check the codes - indicated misfire on two cylinders recommended spark plug replacement - Spark plugs purchased with intent to change Tuesday evening- Tuesday morning -Engine overheated on the way to class added more coolant - got the vehicle home and towed to local Ford Dealership the next day to learn that the coolant was leaking into the engine due to head gasket failure. Ford said the engine needed to be…

   NHTSA complaint #11768592 · source
2. Filed Sep 24, 2026TXDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   The electrical components in the vehicle stopped functioning - for the lights on the interior the overhead stopped working on and off and then dimmed until one day never came back on. At the same time the sensor for cross traffic alert became buggy and then not functional which made all my safety features and cruise control not work. Now I have a TPMS sensor and check engine light with nothing serious wrong

   NHTSA complaint #11766779 · source
3. Filed Sep 21, 2026FLOther / Unknown

   While driving at highway speeds passenger door spontaneously opened. Passenger was not touching or near latch. Has happened 3 times. Ford states no recall. Looking online seems to be a known issue.

   NHTSA complaint #11765966 · source
4. Filed Sep 11, 2026TXEngine

   I own a 2018 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Premium with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle initially developed a check-engine light and was diagnosed with P0303 (Cylinder 3 misfire), P0316 (startup misfire), and P018C. On August 24, 2026, all four spark plugs and one ignition coil were replaced and a fuel/induction cleaning was performed. On September 10, the vehicle suddenly started with an extremely rough idle and produced a large cloud of white, sweet-smelling exhaust smoke.…

   NHTSA complaint #11763758 · source
5. Filed Sep 11, 2026TXEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   I own a 2018 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Premium with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle initially developed a check-engine light and was diagnosed with P0303 (Cylinder 3 misfire), P0316 (startup misfire), and P018C (fuel pressure sensor circuit low). On August 24, 2026, all four spark plugs and one ignition coil were replaced, and a fuel/induction cleaning service was performed. The P018C repair was declined at that time. On September 10, 2026, the vehicle started with an…

   NHTSA complaint #11763539 · source
6. Filed Sep 11, 2026ILOther / Unknown

   I own a 2018 Ford Mustang EcoBoost convertible and am reporting persistent spider activity that has become a recurring driver-safety concern. Spider activity occurs on or around the vehicle essentially every day. I routinely see multiple spiders and webs on the windshield, hood, doors, roof, trunk, sides, and around both exterior mirrors. Spiders repeatedly build webs between the doors/body and both mirror housings, and I have seen spiders crawl out from behind the mirrors…

   NHTSA complaint #11763525 · source
7. Filed Sep 6, 2026FLBrakes

   It is a well-known issue across Mustang forms that the brake pedal sensor switch goes bad as well as the small rubber pad that presses against the brake pedal switch. This has happened to me multiple friends in my Mustang group as well as tons online. This is a serious issue because either it will make your vehicle believe the brakes are constantly being pressed letting you shift into gears while the brakes technically aren’t even depressed. That could result in someone…

   NHTSA complaint #11762411 · source
8. Filed Aug 17, 2026ALEngine

   2018 WITH 118,000 MILES. Had to get a full block engine replacement due to coolant intrusion into the cylinders. This was diagnosed and replaced at a Ford dealership.

   NHTSA complaint #11757459 · source

Compare the 2018 Ford Mustang with another vehicle →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology