2020 Ford Mustang transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 22V382000May 27, 202225,032 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may broadcast an unintended faulted signal to the modules controlling the reverse camera, reverse light, and driver assist features, which may disable all of these functions.

  Risk: A rearview camera or reverse light that is disabled reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Disabled driver assist features (traction control, forward collision warning, blind spot warning, cross traffic indicator) may increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 15, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S37.

• Recall 20V263000May 8, 202010,460 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles. The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.

  Risk: If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being shifted into park, unintended vehicle movement may result, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S21.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 15, 2026NMTransmission & Drivetrain

   Ford has several technical service bulletins on their 10 speed transmission. I have 28,000 miles on my vehicle and need a new transmission. My service manager says that the earlier 10 speeds have issues with some components that are not strong enough, and that current transmissions have been strengthened. He recommended a new transmission rather than a rebuild, because not all of the weaker parts would be replaced with a rebuild. Ford should at least have to pay part of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11764473 · source
2. Filed Aug 20, 2026AZEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   2020 Ford Mustang with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle has a documented history of coolant loss with no visible external leak, consistent with the known coolant-intrusion defect in Ford's 2.3L EcoBoost engines where coolant leaks internally into the cylinders. The vehicle previously threw a cylinder misfire code (P0301) and now shows a crankshaft/camshaft timing correlation fault (P0017). A scan tool confirmed the exhaust camshaft is approximately 18–19 degrees out of…

   NHTSA complaint #11758368 · source
3. Filed Aug 3, 2026WATransmission & Drivetrain

   The 10-speed automatic transmission on my 2020 Mustang failed internally at approximately 18,073 miles. The vehicle began shifting harshly at low speeds with an intermittent clunk. While driving, the transmission would slip slightly and then either surge forward or hesitate with a dull thud before engaging. The behavior was unpredictable and worsened over time. No warning lamp ever appeared and no diagnostic trouble codes were stored, so the driver gets no advance notice of…

   NHTSA complaint #11754618 · source
4. Filed May 21, 2026SCTransmission & Drivetrain

   My car has always been a little rough on shifting since around 40k miles when I got it. I never really noticed after awhile and never had any problems. No lights flashing or codes no issues with anything under the hood. The other day my trans light popped on, but nothing was wrong the car was still driving fine. I took it in to get looked at the first shop said no codes were popping up and then I took it to another and they said the whole transmission now needs to be…

   NHTSA complaint #11739282 · source
5. Filed May 5, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   My vehicle would suddenly downshifted to first, constantly seek for gears, loss of traction from not finding gears, and transmission died at 120k miles.

   NHTSA complaint #11735913 · source
6. Filed Apr 28, 2026INEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   IMRC actuator rod broke causing the air/fuel mix to be sporadic. Creating a misfire on random cylinders. Major loss of power and very jerky motions, causing the vehicle to loose control. Luckily it was on an open spacious road. Unfortunately this has been an ongoing problem and there is nobody selling updated parts the electronics will recognize and very difficult to find oe replacement parts, real costly. And may fix the issue for a short period of time. I have a brand new…

   NHTSA complaint #11734247 · source
7. Filed Apr 19, 2026CAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2020 Ford Mustang Ecoboost has a (P008A) AND (PO18B/PO18C) The fuel pressure fuel system you low and fuel pressure Sensor B is a well documented defects and has a customer satisfaction program 21N10 (or related TSBs). The dealer said there are no recalls under my vin number and vehicle was not repaired. I sent a certified letter to ford March 29, 2026 to Ford Motor Company and I have had no response. 2015 thru 2022 Mustangs have this well known defect. I am not sure why…

   NHTSA complaint #11732166 · source
8. Filed Feb 23, 2026AZTransmission & Drivetrain

   THIS IS A SAFETY RISK: TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LEAKING Oil is leaking hard out of the Transmission oil cooler, that sits underneath the car. This oil is being sprayed onto exhaust system generating oil smoke and potentially a fire hazard, when hot oil hits warm exhaust pipes.

   NHTSA complaint #11719817 · source
9. Filed Jan 28, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   January 22, 2025 Ford Case #CHX-XXX-XXX RE: Approval Code: XXX This vehicle was bought on June 26, 2020 with a 3 year 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty along with a 5 year 60,000 mile power train warranty. It has been regularly serviced by Ford dealership as documented on Ford's records. The following dates are documented FORD service and complaints of hard shifts by customer yet no work was done. July 21, 2022, 10,239 miles on vehicle. Under the bumper to bumper…

   NHTSA complaint #11713856 · source
10. Filed Sep 17, 2025TNTransmission & Drivetrain

    Description of the issue: The transmission has a recurring problem with shifting. When placing the vehicle into Reverse, it engages with a harsh and sudden jerk. When shifting from Reverse to Drive, there is a noticeable delay in engagement before the vehicle responds. These problems occur under normal operating conditions and are repeatable. Safety risk: This creates a significant safety hazard. The harsh jerking when shifting into Reverse can cause unintended movement,…

    NHTSA complaint #11687975 · source
11. Filed Aug 28, 2025TXElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    1. 2020 Mustang Ecoboost is equipped from factory with redesigned block to minimize/eliminate coolant intrusion and or head gasket failure. I still had the dreaded "ecoboom" issue with coolant intrusion on two cylinders as a result of a broken head gasket and poor engine block design. Regular maintenance was perfomed and use primarily Top Tier 93 octane fuel. 5K mile interval 5W-50 oil changes according to manual using Ford spec oil full synthetic. Cold Start Misfires and…

    NHTSA complaint #11683792 · source
12. Filed Apr 30, 2025NCDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

    The back up camera periodically has a black screen or a blue screen. The sound of an object getting closer some times works and sometimes doesn't. Also the lines showing where the tires are on the camera do not appear either. Transmission was replaced under warranty for several issues. It's the 10 speed version. However even with the new transmission. It tends to lag on gear 4 mainly.

    NHTSA complaint #11657972 · 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