Verdict
2018 Ford Mustang: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2018 Ford Mustang — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most coupe.
Owners filed 184 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 100% of 2018 coupes. Engine leads the reports (23%). 4 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2018 coupes, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
184
Reports to NHTSA, 2018
Safety recalls
4
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
22
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 100% of 2018 coupes
The bar is this car's percentile among 2018 coupes by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Engine issues lead owner complaints (23% of 184 reports), followed by power train (23%).
+ 11 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 184 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11738968, ODI 11731787, ODI 11731374, ODI 11730972, ODI 11725806.
Recalls(4)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Back Over PreventionApr 2025 · 25V572000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
Power TrainApr 2018 · 18V213000Details +Close −
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.
Electrical System · 17V814000Details +Close −
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."
Risk: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling · 18E035000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2018 Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2018 Ford Mustang C RWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mustang | 2.3L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 21 | 31 | 25 |
| Mustang | 2.3L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 21 | 32 | 25 |
| Mustang | 5.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 | 25 | 19 |
| Mustang | 5.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 15 | 25 | 18 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2018 Ford Mustang: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2018 Ford Mustang?
Owners filed 184 NHTSA complaints about the 2018 Ford Mustang — more complaints than 100% of comparable 2018 coupes, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2018 Ford Mustang?
The most-reported problem areas are Engine (23% of complaints) and power train (23%).
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Mustang have?
4 recalls have been issued that affect the 2018 Ford Mustang, covering components such as back over prevention. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Ford Mustang get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Ford Mustang between 18 and 25 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.