2018 Ford Mustang · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 28owner reports
- 45,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 11, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
62 of the 193 complaints on this car are about the engine. 28 of those describe engine failure.
Tick what matches of 28 reports
Engine failure on other Mustang years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (28 reports), the turbo (4 reports) and the short block or long block (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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.
All 4 recalls on the 2018 Ford Mustang, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Mustang
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head. Closed jan 4, 2006.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 6,500 and 56,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2018 Ford Mustang that deal with this problem. 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.
Some 2018-2019 F-150 and Mustang vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a light to moderate knocking type noise at idle (600-700 RPM) that is sometimes described as a quiet diesel type sound.
What owners wrote
“Engine stopped working while traveling down a major interstate. Upon further inspection, the engine (EcoBoost) was defective and had to be replaced at my expense. This type of engine is known to have a manufacturing defect and was barely out of warranty. Ford would not replace the engine. Thank you”
Filed Jan 28, 2026
“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”
Filed Aug 20, 2025 · 40,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 28 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Check engine light or misfire 36 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 32 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 26 reports