BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
2018 Ford Mustang
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 193 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Ford Mustang, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 198 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 2020 | 7 | 44 |
| Jul 2020 | 2 | 46 |
| Aug 2020 | 2 | 48 |
| Sep 2020 | 2 | 50 |
| Oct 2020 | 2 | 52 |
| Nov 2020 | 2 | 54 |
| Jan 2021 | 2 | 56 |
| Apr 2021 | 2 | 58 |
| May 2021 | 4 | 62 |
| Jun 2021 | 3 | 65 |
| Jul 2021 | 1 | 66 |
| Aug 2021 | 2 | 68 |
| Oct 2021 | 2 | 70 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 71 |
| Feb 2022 | 2 | 73 |
| Apr 2022 | 4 | 77 |
| May 2022 | 3 | 80 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 81 |
| Sep 2022 | 3 | 84 |
| Oct 2022 | 3 | 87 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 88 |
| Feb 2023 | 2 | 90 |
| Mar 2023 | 2 | 92 |
| Apr 2023 | 2 | 94 |
| May 2023 | 4 | 98 |
| Jun 2023 | 1 | 99 |
| Jul 2023 | 2 | 101 |
| Aug 2023 | 2 | 103 |
| Sep 2023 | 2 | 105 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 106 |
| Nov 2023 | 1 | 107 |
| Dec 2023 | 1 | 108 |
| Jan 2024 | 3 | 111 |
| Apr 2024 | 3 | 114 |
| May 2024 | 3 | 117 |
| Jun 2024 | 2 | 119 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 120 |
| Aug 2024 | 2 | 122 |
| Sep 2024 | 3 | 125 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 126 |
| Dec 2024 | 1 | 127 |
| Jan 2025 | 4 | 131 |
| Mar 2025 | 2 | 133 |
| Apr 2025 | 7 | 140 |
| May 2025 | 4 | 144 |
| Jun 2025 | 4 | 148 |
| Jul 2025 | 3 | 151 |
| Aug 2025 | 4 | 155 |
| Sep 2025 | 3 | 158 |
| Oct 2025 | 4 | 162 |
| Nov 2025 | 2 | 164 |
| Dec 2025 | 5 | 169 |
| Jan 2026 | 3 | 172 |
| Mar 2026 | 4 | 176 |
| Apr 2026 | 4 | 180 |
| May 2026 | 1 | 181 |
| Jun 2026 | 3 | 184 |
| Jul 2026 | 1 | 185 |
| Aug 2026 | 2 | 187 |
| Sep 2026 | 6 | 193 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine6229.1%
- Powertrain (other)4219.7%
- Electrical3114.6%
- Driver assistance167.5%
- Body & structure157.0%
- Interior & seats136.1%
- Fuel system83.8%
- Brakes62.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
4 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 ID
- 11766779
- Incident
- Sep 17, 2025
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 ID
- 11765966
- Incident
- Sep 19, 2026
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. The check-engine light illuminated and the previous codes returned along with additional codes. The vehicle continued producing white exhaust smoke after several hours of diagnostic testing. Later that day, the engine shook violently while I was stopped at a traffic light and the tachometer fluctuated significantly. On September 11, the check-engine light returned and the previous diagnostic codes were again present. Firestone documented that coolant was present in the exhaust, that the coolant level was low again after coolant had been added the previous day, that the engine was burning coolant and producing white smoke, and that coolant was mixed with the engine oil. Firestone stated the engine may have a cracked head, failed head gasket, or internal engine crack and recommended complete engine replacement. The engine has now suffered a serious internal failure severe enough that the repair facility recommends replacement. The vehicle has exhibited violent shaking, unstable engine speed, repeated misfires, rapid coolant loss, coolant contamination of the engine oil, and coolant burning through the exhaust. I am concerned that continued operation could result in complete engine failure or sudden loss of engine power while driving, creating a significant safety hazard in traffic. Before September 10, the vehicle had never produced white exhaust smoke or experienced this severe shaking. I am reporting this as a potential safety defect involving the 2.3L EcoBoost engine.
- NHTSA ID
- 11763758
- Incident
- Sep 11, 2026
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 extremely rough idle and produced a very large cloud of white, sweet-smelling exhaust smoke. The check-engine light came on. The original codes, including the misfire codes, were present along with additional codes. The vehicle underwent approximately three hours of diagnostics and road testing. The codes were cleared, and afterward only P018C returned. Testing reportedly did not identify a head-gasket leak, but visible white smoke was still coming from the exhaust when I left the repair facility. Possible coolant intrusion involving the turbocharger was discussed, but the source was not confirmed. Later that day, the vehicle would not crank in Park but started in Neutral. While driving home, the engine began idling so violently at a traffic light that the entire vehicle shook and the tachometer fluctuated significantly. Before September 10, the vehicle had never produced white exhaust smoke, never shaken violently at idle, and always started. The repair facility attempted to inspect the cylinders with a borescope, but both of its borescopes were not functioning. I am concerned about possible coolant intrusion or another engine defect because of the Cylinder 3/startup misfire history, heavy white sweet-smelling exhaust, and severe intermittent rough running. The cause has not yet been confirmed, and I am concerned about possible engine failure or loss of power while driving.
- NHTSA ID
- 11763539
- Incident
- Sep 10, 2026
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 numerous times, especially the driver-side mirror. I also find web strands inside the passenger compartment. On three occasions, a spider rebuilt a large web across the driver’s-seat entry area after I removed it. On Sept. 10, 2026, after a commercial car wash earlier that day, I had about six spider sightings within roughly 10 minutes. While driving, I saw one crawl up the hood and disappear near the base of the windshield. Shortly afterward, a sizable spider appeared INSIDE the windshield directly in front of my face, apparently coming from where the dash meets the windshield. I have severe arachnophobia and had an immediate panic response. I was fortunate to reach a nearby parking lot and stop without crashing. During the same period, I saw two spiders on the trunk, then another crawling across the interior headliner directly above me, followed by another emerging from the driver-side mirror. I am becoming genuinely afraid to drive this vehicle. This is not a cosmetic complaint. Spiders repeatedly appear in the driver’s immediate environment and create a risk of sudden distraction, involuntary panic, abrupt steering/braking, loss of lane control, and a crash. The car is normally kept closed and I rarely lower the convertible top because of this problem. I am not asserting a specific defect or entry path. I am asking NHTSA to review similar complaints and determine whether a vehicle-design condition may be contributing to persistent spider habitation or intrusion into the driver’s area.
- NHTSA ID
- 11763525
- Incident
- Sep 10, 2026
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 getting ran over. Also, it makes it appear that you’re constantly pressing the brake pedal so drivers do not know when you are actually pressing the brakes. I had that issue, I resolved it, but then my switch failed later, which let me not even start the vehicle.
- NHTSA ID
- 11762411
- Incident
- Sep 5, 2026
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 ID
- 11757459
- Incident
- Jul 22, 2026
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 in limp mode and barely drives, any shifting after 1st gear will cause the vehicle to lockup and lose all power for several seconds. ONLY HAS 28,330 MILES, DID NOT REACH THE FIRST SERVICE INTERVAL FOR MAINTENANCE ON THE TRANSMISSION.
- NHTSA ID
- 11754868
- Incident
- Aug 3, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Harvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacemen
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
Special Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified Vehicles Transmission Control Assembly Reimbursement
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 17 | 6 | 0 | 56.9 |
| 2024 | 80 | 12 | 0 | 57.8 |
| 2023 | 15 | 6 | 0 | 62.6 |
| 2022 | 49 | 9 | 0 | 58.2 |
| 2021 | 55 | 6 | 0 | 58.6 |
| 2020 | 120 | 8 | 1 | 69.7 |
| 2019 | 149 | 6 | 0 | 56.0 |
| 2018Viewing | 193 | 4 | 0 | 56.4 |
| 2017 | 265 | 6 | 1 | 63.1 |
| 2016 | 377 | 5 | 1 | 58.7 |
| 2015 | 436 | 11 | 3 | 63.1 |
| 2014 | 359 | 4 | 0 | 54.3 |
| 2013 | 271 | 6 | 0 | 51.8 |
| 2012 | 469 | 7 | 1 | 54.0 |
| 2011 | 466 | 5 | 1 | 53.0 |
| 2010 | 261 | 6 | 0 | 52.9 |
| 2009 | 181 | 6 | 0 | 55.6 |
| 2008 | 347 | 8 | 4 | 62.3 |
| 2007 | 615 | 9 | 4 | 62.7 |
| 2006 | 424 | 9 | 3 | 59.5 |
| 2005 | 705 | 9 | 3 | 58.2 |
| 2004 | 116 | 6 | 3 | 64.9 |
| 2003 | 145 | 6 | 3 | 66.8 |
| 2002 | 118 | 6 | 1 | 61.3 |
| 2001 | 173 | 8 | 1 | 62.6 |
| 2000 | 311 | 9 | 1 | 63.8 |
| 1999 | 213 | 10 | 1 | 63.9 |
| 1998 | 236 | 14 | 2 | 65.3 |
| 1997 | 176 | 11 | 2 | 61.3 |
| 1996 | 246 | 12 | 3 | 61.8 |
| 1995 | 602 | 16 | 4 | 66.0 |
| 1994 | 356 | 13 | 4 | 64.3 |
| 1993 | 101 | 7 | 1 | 68.6 |
| 1992 | 69 | 5 | 3 | 72.1 |
| 1991 | 77 | 6 | 2 | 69.6 |
| 1990 | 85 | 5 | 3 | 72.8 |
| 1989 | 109 | 5 | 4 | 72.0 |
| 1988 | 108 | 5 | 5 | 73.3 |
| 1987 | 38 | 5 | 6 | 73.3 |
| 1986 | 30 | 2 | 5 | 68.0 |
| 1985 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 70.8 |
| 1984 | 18 | 4 | 4 | 67.0 |
| 1983 | 5 | 1 | 3 | — |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | 2 | 4 | — |
| 1980 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1979 | 0 | 7 | 2 | — |
| 1978 | 3 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1972 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1971 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1970 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1969 | 3 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1968 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1967 | 2 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1966 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1965 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.