Sixth generation
2018 Ford Mustang
The most reported problem on the 2018 Ford Mustang is misfire, with 36 complaints, usually around 50,000 miles.
- 193owner complaints
- 4recalls
- 8involved a crash
- 39,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Mustang doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2018 model year.
Is the 2018 Ford Mustang reliable?
Of the 12 Mustang model years since 2014, it has the 5th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017 and 2019
- Complaints ease off across these three model years. Counted per year on the road, the 2017 draws 26, the 2018 21 and the 2019 19.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Misfire has 36 complaints and overheating has 32, out of 193 in all. A quarter of the 22 owners who gave a mileage for misfire saw it by about 23,000 miles, and half by about 50,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 8 of the 193 complaints (4%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 8 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 5 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- misfire, overheating and engine failure all have recalls on the same system, and the same campaigns cover them: 18E-035. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 42, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 24 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: check engine light or misfire, 36 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
193 complaints is 1.4 times fewer than the median 2018 model on this site. Among the 7 Mustang model years here it ranks 5th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2018 Ford Mustang
Ford filed 197 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2018 Ford Mustang. 46 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Check engine light or misfire 11 bulletins · 36 complaints
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh engagement * Delayed engagement * Harsh shift * Delayed shift * Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes ...
9 more on this problem
Some 2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 10R80 transmission may exhibit a harsh/delayed engagement and/or harsh/delayed shift, an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic ...
Some 2017-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with 3.3L, 3.5L EcoBoost, or 5.0L engines may exhibit stalling, lack of power, low fuel rail pressure and/or DTCs P0087 or P008A after a repair was made that required the removal of the fuel line that connects ...
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
Some 2018-2019 Mustang vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0420 and/or P0430. This may be due to the operation of the PCM.
Some 2013-2019 vehicles equipped with a EVDC air conditioning (A/C) compressor may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function and/or a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P06A0 in the powertrain control module (PCM).
Some 2018-2019 Mustang vehicles built on or before 17-Oct-2018 equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine and operating in altitudes of 1067 meters (3500 feet) above sea level and higher may exhibit an illuminated MIL with only DTC P0068 stored in the powertrain ...
Some 2018 F-150 and 2018-2019 Mustang vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit an illuminated MIL with DTCs P0390 and/or P0394 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
Some 2018-2019 Mustang vehicles built on or before 17-Oct-2018 and equipped with a 2.3L engine may exhibit an illuminated MIL with DTC P0420. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
Some 2018 Mustang equipped with 5.0L engines and F-150 equipped with 2.7L, 3.3L, 3.5L and 5.0L engines may exhibit illuminated Malfunction Indicator Light(MIL) with Diagnostic Trouble Code P0181(Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance) stored in ...
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 16 bulletins · 26 complaints
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns Phone connection issues Dropped phone ...
Some 2016-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit a condition where the navigation voice prompts are inoperative after a SYNC map update. This may be due to an incomplete installation of the SYNC map software.
14 more on this problem
Some 2018-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit inoperative remote features via the Ford Pass/Lincoln Way mobile app, incomplete user authorization, no modem electronic serial number (ESN) displayed or DTCs U2100 and/or B156D in the telematics control ...
Some 2017-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a TCU may exhibit inoperative remote features via Ford Pass/Lincoln Way mobile app, incomplete user authorization and/or no modem electronic serial number (ESN) displayed.
Some 2018-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit inoperative remote features via the Ford Pass/Lincoln Way mobile app, incomplete user authorization, no modem electronic serial number (ESN) displayed or DTCs U2100 and/or B156D in the telematics control ...
Some 2016-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a SYNC 3 Touchscreen may experience the volume control unresponsive from the Front Control Interface Module (FCIM) and steering volume controls when using Apple Car Play.
Some 2016-2019 vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a map displayed on the left half of the SYNC screen with no other information/soft buttons present after updating to the latest version of V3.0 software.
Some 2015-2019 vehicles may experience a no crank concern due to a security access key table error. When attempting to program keys or perform a parameter reset, the procedure may fail and the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool may display an error 232: ...
Some 2016-2019 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 not at the latest software level may exhibit Various Performance Related concerns such as Display Operation, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Phone Pairing, Applink, Travel Link, Slow System ...
Some 2015-2017 vehicles may experience a no crank concern due to a security access key table error. When attempting to program keys or perform a parameter reset, the procedure may fail and the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) scan tool may display an error ...
Some 2016-2018 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit the Android Auto Preference menu selection is not present after an update to version 3.0 software.
Some 2018 Mustang vehicles equipped with the digital IPC may exhibit a "Service Tire Mobility Kit" message being displayed in the IPC, or personality settings which the customer set not being properly retained within the IPC.
Plus 4 older ones not listed here.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 7 bulletins · 15 complaints
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh engagement * Delayed engagement * Harsh shift * Delayed shift * Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes ...
Some 2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 10R80 transmission may exhibit a harsh/delayed engagement and/or harsh/delayed shift, an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic ...
5 more on this problem
Some 2017-2023 F-150, 2018-2023 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019-2023 Ranger, 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator/Transit and 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles equipped with a 10R60/10R80/10R80MHT transmission may exhibit a harsh/delayed engagement and/or harsh/delayed ...
Some 2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang and 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 10R80 automatic transmission may exhibit a harsh engagement/harsh shift/delayed shift.
Some 2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2022 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang and 2019-2022 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 10R80 automatic transmission may exhibit a harsh engagement/harsh shift/delayed shift.
Some 2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang and 2019-2021 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 10R80 automatic transmission may exhibit a harsh engagement/harsh shift/delayed shift.
Some 2015-2019 Mustang GT350/GT350R vehicles may exhibit a hesitation or surge in the vehicle with no diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) present. This may be accompanied by an inoperative cruise control system.
Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear 4 bulletins · 14 complaints
Some 2018-2023 Mustang vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine and a 10R80 transmission may exhibit a buck/jerk sensation that may be perceived as an engine misfire during throttle tip-in between 35-45 mph (56-72 km/h) and with the transmission in 8th, 9th, or ...
Some 2018-2024 Mustang vehicles built on and after 04-Dec-2017 may exhibit a ting, pop, clunk, or click noise from the rear wheel hub when accelerating, applying brakes, or when shifting between drive/reverse (torque reversals).
2 more on this problem
Some 2018-2024 Mustang vehicles built on 04-Dec-2017 and through 01-Oct-2023 may exhibit a ting, pop, clunk, or click noise from the rear wheel hub when accelerating, applying brakes, or when shifting between drive/reverse (torque reversals).
Some 2018-2022 Mustang vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine and a 10R80 transmission may exhibit a buck/jerk sensation that may be perceived as an engine misfire during throttle tip-in between 35-45 mph (56-72 km/h) and with the transmission in 8th, 9th, or ...
Doors, latches or locks fail 1 bulletin · 11 complaints
Certain 2015 ¢ 2021 Model Year Mustang Convertible Vehicles Door Opens to Secondary Latch Position n some of the affected vehicles, a front door latch may open to the secondary latched position while driving.
Engine rattles or ticks 2 bulletins · 9 complaints
Some 2011-2024 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a tick tap and/or typewriter ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change.
Some 2011-2021 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change. It is often referred to as typewriter noise because of its similarity to the sound of a mechanical typewriter.
Infotainment screen freezes or goes black 3 bulletins · 7 complaints
Some 2016-2021 Ford or Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 or SYNC 4 may exhibit a blank screen or other various SYNC symptoms only when the vehicle is in transport mode.
Some 2016-2018 Ford and Lincoln vehicles with SYNC 3 may exhibit an intermittent blue or black screen. Check for SYNC software update under the OASIS Tab SYNC selection. If update is available refer to WSM, Section 415-00 and update APIM software.
1 more on this problem
Some 2016-2018 Ford or Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit a blank screen or other various SYNC symptoms only when the vehicle is in transport mode.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 2 bulletins · 6 complaints
Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
Some 2013-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
Complaints filed by year
42 complaints came in 2025, 2.2 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2018 Ford Mustang
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
All 4 recalls on the 2018 Ford Mustang, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2018 Ford Mustang?
Misfire, with 36 of the 193 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 50,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2018 Ford Mustang problems start?
Of the 110 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 11,000 miles and half by about 39,000.
Is the 2018 Ford Mustang better or worse than the 2017 and 2019?
Counted per year on the road, the 2018 has fewer complaints than the 2017 and more complaints than the 2019: 21 a year against 26 and 19.
How many 2018 Ford Mustang complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
8 of them (4%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for misfire on the 2018 Ford Mustang?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 18E-035. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.