Ford Mustang Complaints (2018)

196 consumer complaints on file.

#11684927September 4, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Over the past year, we've had this car into the Ford of Clermont Florida dealer 5 times about a leak. Whenever we have a storm, the back footwell fills with water. Their leak specialist has said he has found the source of the issue multiple times and after each "repair", we still have a leak. They've replaced the rubber around both side windows and they've asked us to have the front windshield replaced. Even with all of this work, we still have a leak. In the longer term, this could compromise the structural integrity of the car. I don't know what else to do beyond bringing the car back again. I am listing [XXX] as the date the "incident occurred" because this is the latest water breach. But, it's been happening over the past year. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682090August 21, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
For roughly 4mths beginning in April 2025, my 2018 Ford Mustang Ecoboost has been suffering from a sporadic misfire, with it the system reporting the misfire and the check engine light coming on, the Ford App identifying the misfire occurring. It was initially repaired with replacing all spark plugs, ignition leads. The sporadic misfire would continue to occur, Ford dealership kept the car for 2 days in late July, took everything apart said they were unable to replicate the misfire, cleared the codes (P0303 being the main one that appears consistently) and said to come back if it occurred again. Roughly 2 weeks later the issue occurred again, took the vehicle back to Ford where they kept the car for 2 days, went through the same process and could not replicate the issue. They dug deeper into the issue and found that the coolant would not hold pressure and with the use of a video scope found that the Intake Valve had fractured and was leaking coolant into the engine as well as distributing multiple shards and pieces of metal from the Valve Intake Fracture. Informed me that the only option was to replace with a new engine and turboboost. They reviewed and found that there were no recalls related to this issue for this vehicle. After undertaking my own research, I found this to be a known issue for Ford and that roughly 100k vehicles had been recalled starting with the 2020 vehicles for the same issue. The out of pocket expense is around 14k, and the vehicle is currently waiting on a replacement engine to arrive. Currently Ford are not offering any assistance in the cost of the replacement, been though they have been servicing the car since 2020 and it is regularly maintained per their guidelines of vehicle needs based on the mileage driven.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681922August 20, 2025
ENGINE
My car engine made a huge boom at only 40,000 miles while on the interstate and I lost all power and almost got ran over by other vehicle because of this. The engine had blown up under normal driving conditions
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680544August 14, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
While parked all day with the ignition off and lights off, I returned to find the brake lights and third brake light illuminated. The lights stayed on even after moving the brake pedal. I discovered a small broken plastic bumper on the floorboard, which appears to be the brake pedal stop bumper associated with recall 22V011. This failure causes the brake light circuit to remain closed, leaving the brake lamps on continuously, potentially confusing other drivers and draining the battery. No crash occurred.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679886August 11, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I have a 2018 Mustang GT with the 10R80 transmission. The transmission started giving me problems like slamming and slipping while shifting and sometimes jumping in and out of gear when drinking in the highway.The problem came from an engineering is with the CDF Drum... Ford has updated the CDF Drum and has fixed the problem. Ford never issues a recall to fix this problem with the vehicles produced with this issue but instead just used the updated production parts in the later models leaving the customers like myself to have to either pay out of pocket or rely on a warranty or after market warranty company to have this very expensive issue fixed. Right now as I am writing this, my car is in the transmission shop. Please help me. When I did a Google search of the CDF Drum issue, this is what was quoted: "The 2018 Ford Mustang GT with the 10R80 transmission can experience issues with the CDF (Clutch-Drum-Forward) drum, specifically with its bushing. This problem can lead to slippage, harsh shifting, and potential transmission failure. Ford has addressed this issue with design revisions to the CDF drum, including adding a lip to the bushing to prevent it from moving and causing fluid leaks."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674242July 17, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact found oil underneath the engine compartment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673497July 14, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pushed to a nearby independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was then towed to another independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a ruptured cylinder #1, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670898July 2, 2025
ENGINE
I own a 2018 Ford Mustang EcoBoost with a Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine. At around 100,000 miles, the engine developed severe carbon buildup, resulting in cylinder scoring and catastrophic engine failure. Despite following Ford’s recommended maintenance schedule (including a 100,000-mile GDI cleaning service performed by the dealership), my car now has one cylinder with only 70 psi compression (confirmed by borescope and mechanical test). Other cylinders measure 135–160 psi. I have learned Ford is aware of this issue and has made design changes in later models (adding extra fuel pumps/dual injection systems) to address it, but no recall or owner warning has been issued for earlier EcoBoost Mustangs. My research and discussions with BG Products and independent experts show this is a common flaw with GDI-only systems, and Ford has failed to inform owners or provide a lasting solution. The dealership and Ford have offered limited goodwill, but the engine is beyond repair and requires a full replacement. I believe Ford’s failure to warn owners about this well-known defect constitutes a safety and reliability risk. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate this widespread issue and require Ford to take responsibility for affected vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669657June 27, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sync to my phone works off and on. The radio stays on even when the vehicle is shut off, and media button stopped working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668802June 24, 2025
SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the front driver’s side and front passenger’s side seat belts failed to retract and failed to properly secure the occupants seated in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the seat belts, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665795June 9, 2025
ENGINE
Check engine light came on. Took car to dealership where I learned that the car needs a new engine due to coolant leaking into the cylinders. I later learned this is a "known issue" with this engine, yet Ford has refused to fix or do a recall. The engine could fail or catch on fire if not replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665107June 5, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was a misfire coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking abnormally, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,637.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663295May 27, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Clutch pedal is making a creaking sound when pressed and released. This is known on online forums to lead to failure of the welds near the top of the pedal arm where it pivots. This can cause the pedal to come off while driving and is not safe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661473May 16, 2025
ENGINE
Took Mustang Ecoboost to Ford dealership as result of steady check engine light. Prior to check engine light rough idle at start up that smooths out after 10 to 15 seconds. Dealer identified CYL 3 misfire as well as random misfires. They also observed carbon tracking on plugs. Dealer replaced plugs and performed GDI cleaning service. About three weeks following repair same conditions reappeared rough idle and check engine light. Upon dealer inspection and use of bore scope discovered coolant intrusion in cylinder and recommended long block engine replacement. The second dealer appointment was several days after my warranty expired and mileage was 30,106 miles. Although the dealership was very supportive and understanding Ford would not provide any assistance even after I also pursued relief directly. As a result the long block engine replacement cost is $8,200. After considerable research was able to identify that ecoboost 2.3 engines as well as other small ecoboost engines all had a block defect that has since been corrected. The defect tends to permit, over time, coolant to leak into cylinders. Although a new head gasket may correct the condition, Ford normally recommends long block engine replacement as a long term fix. This condition if not attended to or if coming on suddenly will cause total engine failure. And, as failure can only occur when operating an engine failure under any driving condition is fraught with danger. To my knowledge Ford has not taken any steps to address this issue with the 2.3 liter engine built prior to about February 2020. And, at that time made an engineering change to the engine block addressing the design defect. Additionally, Ford did provide relief to owners of other smaller ecoboost engines having a similar design defect. At the present time there are several class actions suits pending for this 2.3 coolant intrusion issue. One final point should an ecoboost experience CYL or random misfires ensure bore scope is employed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659987May 9, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle jerked until shifting into gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the CDF drum and the main control were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 25-2126 as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 102,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659199May 6, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into reverse properly, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657679April 30, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Backup camera fails frequently. Screen turns blue and error message of backup camera not available is displayed on the screen.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656746April 25, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a misfire in cylinder #1, and coolant leaking into the engine. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed the diagnosis and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 49,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655943April 21, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, the contact attempted to warm up the vehicle; however, when the contact returned to the vehicle, the vehicle was off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle however, the engine sounded like it was losing power with an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The message to “Shift to Park” was displayed; however, the gear shifter was already in park(P). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure due to a lack of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655949April 21, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car has issues with SYNC software and Radio Module and the display screen goes black while reverse parking or using the navigation system. Car is with the dealership and they are not able to do diagnosis as ford sync system has issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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