2011 Ford Mustang Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 200about this part
- Share
- 43%of 466 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 4,900miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 200 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Ford Mustang, 43% of the 466 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,900 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My vehicle loses acceleration of any kind intermittently. This always happens when my foot is off the gas pedal. When I pull over and put the car in park it hesitates loudly. If I turn the car off and let it sit it starts fine after a minute or two. The tech said it is the throttle body and needs to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10721138, filed 2015-05, 56,122 miles“Was traveling on a freeway when a the care lost power and began slowing down. A little wrench icon appeared. I there was no place to pull over so I turned on flashers and rode on the highway until the care stopped. Traffic behind me swerved to avoid my car. I restarted the vehicle and continued on my way. The vehicle failed 3 more times on the way home.”
NHTSA complaint #10525604, filed 2013-07, 79,800 miles“I have experienced at high rpms switching from 1st gear to 2nd the transmission failed to go in gear on several occasions.and also 3rd to 4th..dealer says it's common at times.after months of dealing with this issues 5th gear is grinding and is at the dealer for repair at my expense.”
NHTSA complaint #10790516, filed 2015-11, 45,000 miles“Brand new Mustang gt/cs 2011 hard shifting in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Hard shifting included grindings, loud noise and some times simply can not shift. Problem is more evident when engine is started in the morning. Occasionally while shifting I could feel that the transmission is pushing the shift in the opposite direction I am trying to shift.”
NHTSA complaint #10434161, filed 2011-11, 444 miles“Since the car has been in my possession, 3rd gear has always had issues. It grinds from time to time, and the transmission pushes me out of 3rd gear when my foot is completely down on the clutch. It has also developed an increasingly loud whining noise throughout all the gears while accelerating. The shifts when cold are rough, doesn't feel as it should.”
NHTSA complaint #10418156, filed 2011-08, 2,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10160931May 10, 2019On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was…
- 10148735Oct 25, 2018Some 2011 - 2014 Mustang vehicles equipped with a 3.7L V6 engine and MT82 manual transmission may exhibit a vibration felt in the shifter, and/or the seat track and steering…
- 10127405Nov 2, 2017Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement. This may be due to the parameter reset…
- 10099463Mar 14, 20172009-2017 vehicles equipped with a 6r80, 6r100, 6r140 automatic transmission have an updated main control valve body overhaul procedure. Refer to workshop manual (wsm), section…
- 10204987Feb 5, 201649 CFR Part 579.5 Monthly Communications - March 2016 Air bag warning light illuminated with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B141B and/or B141C
- 10204986Feb 5, 201649 CFR Part 579.5 Monthly Communications - January 2016
- 10055875Apr 22, 2014Lincoln/ford: after vehicle/truck has been parked several hours, there is a delayed engagement of park to forward or reverse transmission on initial start up. Model 2011-2014…
- 10055062Jan 1, 2014Ford: due to vehicles, with carbon fiber clutches, a chatter or moan/groan noise is heard while making sharp turns, at low speed and is characteristic of heavy duty/racing type…
- 10053469Jun 13, 2013Ford: no other dtcs or drivability symptoms present, on some vehicles, when mil is illuminated with combination of any diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0300, p0301, p0302, p0303…
- 10053419Jun 7, 2013Lincoln/ford: transmission engagement in 5th gear when starting and wrench indicator and/or seat belt minder may illuminate with speedometer reading zero and odometer displaying…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 13% |
| 2025 | 3 | 15% |
| 2024 | 10 | 12% |
| 2023 | 1 | 7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 8% |
| 2021 | 9 | 16% |
| 2020 | 26 | 21% |
| 2019 | 28 | 18% |
| 2018 | 46 | 23% |
| 2017 | 22 | 8% |
| 2016 | 29 | 8% |
| 2015 | 42 | 10% |
| 2014 | 30 | 8% |
| 2013 | 48 | 18% |
| 2012 | 177 | 38% |
| 2011 | 200 | 43% |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% |
| 2009 | 7 | 4% |
| 2008 | 30 | 9% |
| 2007 | 35 | 6% |
| 2006 | 32 | 8% |
| 2005 | 25 | 4% |
| 2004 | 9 | 8% |
| 2003 | 15 | 10% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2001 | 16 | 9% |
| 2000 | 40 | 13% |
| 1999 | 25 | 12% |
| 1998 | 21 | 9% |
| 1997 | 29 | 16% |
| 1996 | 25 | 10% |
| 1995 | 57 | 9% |
| 1994 | 50 | 14% |
| 1993 | 5 | 5% |
| 1992 | 6 | 9% |
| 1991 | 9 | 12% |
| 1990 | 5 | 6% |
| 1989 | 3 | 3% |
| 1988 | 3 | 3% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 3% |
| 1985 | 2 | 13% |
| 1984 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2011 Ford Mustang
125 complaintsEngine
48 complaintsVehicle speed control
39 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsElectronic stability control
14 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsSeats
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Ford Mustang
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology