2018 Ford Mustang transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 4, 2026ILTransmission & Drivetrain

   Was driving my vehicle roughly 10-15mph after a stop, noticed vehicle wasn’t shifting into the gears properly as it was only in 2nd gear and the RPMs kept climbing, when it finally shifted into 3rd gear my transmission proceeded to lockup cause my rear tires to skid and stop in the middle of traffic and in the middle of an intersection disrupting the flow of traffic. Vehicle displayed a wrench light on the dash saying “see manual” as related to a Powertrain issue. Vehicle is…

   NHTSA complaint #11754868 · source
2. Filed Jul 23, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2018 Ford Mustang EcoBoost with the 10R80 automatic transmission began experiencing hesitation, delayed engagement, and harsh jerking during low-speed acceleration (15-20 mph), especially when cold. Engine RPM would increase, but the vehicle would hesitate before engaging. The condition worsened over time and eventually the vehicle entered limp mode, causing a significant loss of power and illuminating a wrench warning light. An authorized Ford dealership diagnosed DTC…

   NHTSA complaint #11752476 · source
3. Filed Apr 19, 2026NJFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   While completing a turn at a T-intersection, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of motive power for several seconds, leaving the car stationary in the path of oncoming traffic. The transmission (10R80) failed to engage, a known symptom of internal CDF Drum sleeve failure (TSB 24-2254). This follows a 'Green' inspection by a dealer on March 23rd where an axle seal leak and shifting issues were overlooked. The failure to engage gear during a turn creates an unreasonable…

   NHTSA complaint #11732274 · source
4. Filed Dec 31, 2025MSCrashTowedBrakesTransmission & DrivetrainWheels & Tires

   I was driving down the road in my 2018 Mustang ecoboost. When all of the sudden slowing down it locked the rear wheels up. I slid off the road and fortunately I didn’t hit anything but it did pop my side skirt off in the rear of the car. Thankfully the person behind me reacted in quick enough time to get around me considering the rainy weather conditions. This is very dangerous. It’s throwing a code for a solenoid B. Had traction control lights. And says see manual. But they…

   NHTSA complaint #11708074 · source
5. Filed Oct 22, 202570,000 miFLTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly came to a stop while attempting to shift to second gear. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving in second gear, which required the contact to release the accelerator pedal before the vehicle could shift to second gear. The vehicle was taken to O'Reilly’s, where it was diagnosed…

   NHTSA complaint #11695078 · source
6. Filed Sep 14, 2025CAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle jolts when placed from park or reverse to Drive after being driven 30 or more minutes or driving 10+ miles. I had previously sent it to 3 different dealerships and only one was able to temporarily resolve the issue. They had to adjust the issue through a computer system. However, after 6-12 months, it is happening again. I feel that is a property or safety issue for drivers because, the transmission or shift change makes the vehicle jump forward and if not…

   NHTSA complaint #11687193 · source
7. Filed Aug 21, 2025TNEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   For roughly 4mths beginning in April 2025, my 2018 Ford Mustang Ecoboost has been suffering from a sporadic misfire, with it the system reporting the misfire and the check engine light coming on, the Ford App identifying the misfire occurring. It was initially repaired with replacing all spark plugs, ignition leads. The sporadic misfire would continue to occur, Ford dealership kept the car for 2 days in late July, took everything apart said they were unable to replicate the…

   NHTSA complaint #11682090 · source
8. Filed Aug 11, 2025NCTransmission & Drivetrain

   I have a 2018 Mustang GT with the 10R80 transmission. The transmission started giving me problems like slamming and slipping while shifting and sometimes jumping in and out of gear when drinking in the highway.The problem came from an engineering is with the CDF Drum... Ford has updated the CDF Drum and has fixed the problem. Ford never issues a recall to fix this problem with the vehicles produced with this issue but instead just used the updated production parts in the…

   NHTSA complaint #11679886 · source
9. Filed May 9, 2025102,000 miNCTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle jerked until shifting into gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the CDF drum and the main control were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 25-2126 as a possible cause for…

   NHTSA complaint #11659987 · source
10. Filed May 6, 202570,000 miFLTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into reverse properly, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was…

    NHTSA complaint #11659199 · source
11. Filed Apr 15, 2025ILTransmission & Drivetrain

    2018 Ford Mustang Echo boost. Engine light came on code P0420 which is the Catalytic Converter and we already new this when bringing it into Ford dealership. We informed the check in Advisor the Transmission feels like it's slipping or jerks when in 2nd Geer which slows down the vehicle. Took it to Ford and was first informed the Transmission was good nothing wrong with it just need to change my Catalytic Converter because that was the code. We changed the Catalytic…

    NHTSA complaint #11654673 · source
12. Filed Apr 14, 2025LAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    Car jerking,Rpm needle jumps alot,feel like im going to run into someone or something, not getting gas mileage like before.

    NHTSA complaint #11654386 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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