2012 Ford Mustang Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 177about this part
- Share
- 38%of 469 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,250miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 177 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Ford Mustang, 38% of the 469 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,250 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Same as everyone I know high rev lockout, can't shift past 7krpms clutch pedal sticks to the floor. Gears are rough to get into normal. Will hear loud clunking when changing gears sometimes. Car has 35k miles I bought it with 17k miles and the issue has always been there. This needs to be addressed this could cause transmission failure and accidents if it fails on highways.”
NHTSA complaint #11390844, filed 2021-01, 17,000 miles“Fyi I can not include the top/roof due to it wont allow me to input the check mark) I baught this Mustang in june 2012,used from Ford here in sioux falls sd, since that time I have asked about the top about the clunking and if they would notify me if any recalls. They only sent one for the passenger air bag , until this week when I received a second notice for the takata air bags from the day I took her off the lot. …”
NHTSA complaint #11221204, filed 2019-06, 35,000 miles“2012 Mustang only has 35,000 miles and water pump went out. Dealer states it is not covered under power train warranty! Luckily it went out while parked in the garage at home and not on a trip! Antifreeze was every where when I went to get in the car the next morning. Thankfully I saw it before our pets did!”
NHTSA complaint #10908460, filed 2016-09, 35,111 miles“According to my Ford dealership, the synchronizers between 1st and 2nd bears failed. I have had several issues with this transmission previously, causing the car to fail to shift while accelerating. This is incredibly dangerous, as failure to accelerate while merging into traffic would have been catastrophic. Thankfully, I was in a parking lot when my transmission failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10608776, filed 2014-07, 24,500 miles“My 2012 Ford Mustang has been experiencing problems starting with the vehicle in the park position. All of the appropriate lights on the dash come on, but the car will not crank until I place the gear shift lever into the neutral position. This happens with the car parked on level ground and the emergency brakes applied and I have verified that the indicator shows the p for park. …”
NHTSA complaint #10607549, filed 2014-07, 63,000 milesRelated recalls
- 16V248000Apr 27, 2016Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The…Covers: Ford Mustang 2012, F-150 2011–2012, Expedition 2012 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10201086Aug 17, 2021This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle…
- 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…
- 10091155Jun 16, 2016Certain 2011-2012 model year f-150 and 2012 model year expedition, navigator and mustang vehicles equipped with a 6r80 transmission - molded leadframe extended coverage
- 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…
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 2012 Ford Mustang
158 complaintsVehicle speed control
35 complaintsEngine
30 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsElectronic stability control
12 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsWheels
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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