NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 196 owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Mustang. Most complaints involve engine (59) and power train (46). The EPA rates it 18–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Mustang model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 304 |
| 1997 | 230 |
| 1998 | 320 |
| 1999 | 297 |
| 2000 | 446 |
| 2001 | 280 |
| 2002 | 209 |
| 2003 | 271 |
| 2004 | 130 |
| 2005 | 868 |
| 2006 | 575 |
| 2007 | 615 |
| 2008 | 347 |
| 2009 | 181 |
| 2010 | 261 |
| 2011 | 466 |
| 2012 | 469 |
| 2013 | 271 |
| 2014 | 359 |
| 2015 | 439 |
| 2016 | 380 |
| 2017 | 268 |
| 2018 | 196 |
| 2019 | 152 |
| 2020 | 122 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 50 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 85 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 8 |
“The engine has a head gasket defect that leaked coolant into the engine causing misfires and requires a very expensive repair for a defect that came with the engine when it was made. Two Ford dealerships have inspected and confirmed the issue. The car threw codes six months ago and we immediately stopped driving it and had the dealership inspect the problem. We have not fixed it yet as the repair is estimated at 6,000. Parts and labor. It is available for inspection. This seems to be a very common issue with this vehicle. We replaced the fuel rail, spark plugs, and have had an independent inspection by a non affiliated repair shop for a similar price.”
“The 2.3L EcoBoost engine failed due to coolant leaking into the combustion chambers. The dealer found coolant present in cylinders 1 and 4, the cylinder 4 piston washed, and vertical scoring on the cylinder 4 wall. The dealer's recommendation is complete engine replacement. Yes, the engine is available for inspection. The vehicle is currently at the Ford dealership and the engine has not yet been replaced. Coolant entering the cylinders causes misfiring and loss of engine power. The vehicle shook on startup and ran roughly, and the misfire was intermittent and unpredictable. A sudden loss of motive power while driving in traffic or at highway speed is a crash risk to me and to other drivers. Coolant loss into the cylinders also reduces the coolant available to cool the engine, creating a risk of overheating. The vehicle is currently not safe to drive. A Ford dealership has reproduced the issue and confirmed it. The technician retrieved stored codes P0304 and P0316, removed the spark plugs and coils, and borescoped the cylinders. A cooling system pressure test was performed and the vehicle was allowed to sit, after which borescope inspection confirmed coolant in…”
“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”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mustang Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 32 | 25 | $2,550 | 353 |
| Mustang Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 25 | $2,550 | 357 |
| Mustang Convertible Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,800 | 384 |
| Mustang Convertible Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 383 |
| Mustang Performance Package Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,800 | 384 |
| Mustang Performance Package Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 383 |
| Mustang Auto (S10), 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Mustang Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 25 | 18 | $3,550 | 483 |
| Mustang Convertible Auto (S10), 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,550 | 490 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 196 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (59), power train (46), electrical system (31). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2018 Ford Mustang at 18–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Ford Mustang 5 out of 5 stars overall.