VehicleVerdict

2018 Ford Mustang transmission problems

The 2018 Ford Mustang has 43 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 18% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

43

Transmission complaints

18%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Mustang transmission complaints by model year203 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 1 complaints1987: 1 complaints1988: 3 complaints1989: 3 complaints1990: 6 complaints1991: 9 complaints1992: 6 complaints1993: 5 complaints1994: 56 complaints1995: 62 complaints1996: 28 complaints1997: 32 complaints1998: 22 complaints1999: 27 complaints2000: 49 complaints2001: 18 complaints2002: 7 complaints2003: 15 complaints2004: 11 complaints2005: 26 complaints2006: 32 complaints2007: 37 complaints2008: 30 complaints2009: 7 complaints2010: 14 complaints2011: 203 complaints2012: 180 complaints2013: 49 complaints2014: 29 complaints2015: 42 complaints2016: 29 complaints2017: 22 complaints2018: 43 complaints2019: 26 complaints2020: 22 complaints2021: 9 complaints2022: 4 complaints2023: 1 complaints2024: 7 complaints2025: 1 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Mustang transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2018 Ford Mustang have?

NHTSA has 43 complaints about the 2018 Ford Mustang transmission — 18% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2018 Ford Mustang transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 18V213000.

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.