Problems · by component

2018 Ford Mustang electrical system problems

31 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Mustang cite electrical system, 16% of all 196 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
31
16% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2026Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Back over preventionODI 11766779
“Touch screen system has completely stopped turning on (and wont turn on) any time the outside temperature drops below about 70 degrees fahrenheit. Per online research this is a common, known issue and given that this prevents the use of key saftey features such as the backup camera and climate controls I am unsure why this has not yet initiated a safety recall. I have dealt with this for the past 3 winters and can confirm it is 100% in relation to outside temperature. There is no warning lamp/message. The screen will simply not turn on in below 70 degree temperatures. A component to the touch screen must be shielded improperly/not graded for outdoor use.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2026Electrical systemODI 11723224
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the infotainment screen displayed a black screen. The touchscreen icons failed to function as intended. The contact was unable to use the radio, and the A/C buttons failed to function. The radio would not turn on or would take approximately ten minutes for the radio to function. The contact stated that the infotainment screen failed to display if the A/C or heater was functioning properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2025Electrical system, Back over preventionODI 11699838
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the message "Front Passenger Door Ajar" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and opened and closed the door. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The message was displayed three times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2025Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11691722
“The radio screen which controls the back up camera climate control, and everything else has gone black and only turns on once every few weeks, when car is turned off it does not come back on. After a diagnostic test done at Yark Ford they recommended a APIM module and this would run $1412.70 + tax. After throughly investing this on the internet this is a common problem with this year and model. Ford should offer a recall!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2024Electrical systemODI 11617354
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while parked, he attempted to access the trunk of the vehicle, and upon depressing the trunk release, he heard clicking, but the trunk failed to open. Upon investigation, the contact noticed that the trunk appeared stuck or jammed, with no external damages observed. A month prior to the trunk malfunction, the contact noticed unspecified video feed issues with the rearview camera. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a Ford dealer, who diagnosed a malfunctioning body wiring harness in the trunk and related the malfunction to the rearview camera failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 81,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2023Electrical system, Back over preventionODI 11524401

Showing 6 of 31 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: software

Free remedy

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."

Electrical systemReported Dec 18, 2017NHTSA 17V814000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

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

Other 2018 Mustang problem areas