VehicleVerdict

2018 Ford Mustang problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 234 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Mustang year — the 2018 model ranks #19 of 62 Mustang years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 61 reports (26% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

234

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Mustang years?

See all Mustang years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Ford Mustang problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine6126%
Transmission4318%
Electrical System3113%
Other219%
Driver Assistance198%
Body & Structure156%
Latches & Locks125%
Fuel System73%
Tires & Wheels63%
Brakes52%
Steering42%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Seat Belts21%
Airbags21%
Suspension10%
Seats10%
Lighting10%
Speed Control10%

Does the 2018 Ford Mustang have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V572000Driver AssistanceSeptember 3, 2025 · 1,456,417 units

Defect

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

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.

18E035000Fuel SystemMay 24, 2018 · 146 units

Defect

Roush Performance Products, Inc. (Roush) is recalling certain aftermarket supercharger kits, part number R1318-6006P1-AA, sold for installation on 2018 Ford Mustangs. The hose barb fittings on the supercharger kits may be manufactured incorrectly, possibly causing damage to the fuel lines and resulting in a fuel leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Roush will notify the known owners and replace the defective fuel rail subassemblies, free of charge. The recall began on May 31, 2018. Owners may contact Roush customer service at 1-800-597-6874. Roush's number for this recall is REMay2018.

18V213000TransmissionApril 4, 2018 · 142 units

Defect

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

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.

17V814000Electrical SystemDecember 18, 2017 · 2,100 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 15, 2018 · crash · fire

THE TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK IN GEAR WHEN YOU ACCELERATE HARD, YOU CAN'T TAKE THE CAR OUT OF GEAR AND THE CLUTCH DOES NOT WORK. THE ENGINE CONTINUALLY REVS/SPEEDS UP WHEN NO ONE IS TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED RIGHT AWAY. THIS WAS DRIVING IN SPORT MODE,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 22, 2019 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 15, 2018 · crash · fire

WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER COMES LOOSE AND THEN IT OPENS, ON ITS OWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, WHILE DRIVING. ADDITIONALLY, THE BACK WINDOWS DO NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY TO MEET THE FRONT WINDOW, SO I MANUALLY HAVE TO PULL THE WINDOWS CLOSED TO MEET THE SEAL OF THE FRONT WINDOWS. THE DRIVER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that on several occasions while in reverse (R), the rear-view camera screen displayed a cloudy image. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · November 15, 2024

2018 Ford Mustang — common questions

Is the 2018 Ford Mustang reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 234 complaints put the 2018 model at #19 of 62 Mustang years. It is one of the Mustang years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Mustang problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (61 complaints), transmission (43 complaints), electrical system (31 complaints).

Does the 2018 Ford Mustang have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Ford Mustang. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Mustang years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mustang years to avoid are 2005, 1995, 2007, 2015, 2011, 2012, 2006, 1994, 2016, 2000, 2014, 2008, 2017, 1996, 2013, 1998, 2010, 1999, 2018, 1997, 2001, 2009, 2019, 2003, 2020. The cleanest record among Mustang years belongs to 1981.

How safe is the 2018 Ford Mustang?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Ford Mustang earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.