Problems · by component

2012 Ford Mustang power train problems

177 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Mustang cite power train, 38% of all 469 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
177
38% of all complaints
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Transmission seems to lose power while driving, the car will barely pull itself but the rpms increase if I accelerate. This has happened several times while driving and occasionally there are dash lights lighting and speedometer/gas gauge doesn’t work but that doesn’t happen every time. When it happens I pull over and shut it down and restart and it runs correctly until it happens again! I do a lot of highway driving and the car just “falling flat” on a multi-lane highway at 70+ mph is definitely a safety issue! I have taken it to my local fastlane shop and the car was driven but didn’t malfunction at that time. He advised me to try to drive it there if it happened again, but I have never been close to the shop at the times it happens or they are closed. There is no advance warning, it happens at various speeds and even on takeoff after stopping for traffic lights. I once was pulling into traffic when it happened and didn’t have enough power to get to my lane before it fell flat! Fortunately I could back up before getting hit by oncoming traffic.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2024Power train, Electrical systemODI 11620253
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started stalling. The contact pulled over to the side of the road; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission range sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V190000 (Power Train, Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2024Power train, Exterior lightingODI 11588503
“Recently started having erratic shifting issues. Will downshift randomly out of nowhere while driving. Sometimes will just be stuck in 1st gear and won’t go anywhere until I pull over and shut off/start up again. Dangerous because I never know when it will do it. Might seem like everything is fine and then all of a sudden, it downshifts and loses power. Rpm’s rise but car has no power. Have to figure out how to get out of the way. As stated in ford’s “ Customer Satisfaction Program 16N02,” my 2012 has all the symptoms and I have DTC code P0731 but dealer refused to service my vehicle because it doesn’t show up with my VIN, even though it’s a 2012 and I clearly need my Molded Leadframe replaced.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2024Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11573018
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear and the vehicle's rear tires ceased. Additionally, the speedometer failed. The air bag warning light, the traction control warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The contact used an OBD reader and read the DTC code P0720. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V248000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2023Power trainODI 11513987
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle started to jerk and downshifted. The contact then stated that the speedometer and RPM’s started to fluctuate rapidly. All the warning lights were illuminated. As a result, the contact crashed into a metal road post and a tree. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission seized and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed by the mechanic of the NHTSA Campaign Number 16V248000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified however, the contact was unsuccessful. The 90,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2022Power trainCrash reportedODI 11492071
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the rear wheels locked up and the speedometer displayed 0 MPH. The vehicle started sliding sideways, causing the contact to almost lose control of the vehicle. The contact was able to veer to the side of the roadway. The contact then pulled into the nearest gas station, parked, and turned off the vehicle. The contact resumed driving; however, the failure reoccurred while driving 40 MPH. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer who informed the contact that they could not diagnose the vehicle as the transmission specialist was not available. The contact drove to his residence. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer where it was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V248000 (Power Train). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 26, 2022Power trainODI 11475930

Showing 6 of 177 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.

Power trainReported Apr 27, 2016NHTSA 16V248000

Power train: control module (tcm

Free remedy

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 “LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.” THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.

Power trainReported May 3, 2012NHTSA 12V190000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.