2018 Ford Mustang Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 23%of 196 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Ford Mustang, 23% of the 196 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 miles. 4 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.
“When putting my car into park and drive it doesnt want to switch, it takes a while for it to get into drive. I almost hit someone in front of me because when I put my car into drive, I pressed the gas lightly and the car didnt move. Until about 6 seconds then flew forward. Also when getting around the 10 MPH speed limit, the car jerks as if the transmission isnt properly changing gears. I only have 10,000 miles I bought the car in october 2018 and first owner.”
NHTSA complaint #11187080, filed 2019-03, 10,000 miles“When getting up to speed on an on ramp or passing on a two la e road, when shifting into third gear, the transmission will not go into gear. I've had this happen twice, once my daughter was with me on a two lane road, going from second to third while passing, the car will not allow it. People have noted this many places while running out second gear and shifting into third in multi situations. This is a hazard and it is known due to the shifter not being direct and using a remote linkage. …”
NHTSA complaint #11185703, filed 2019-03, 400 miles“Intermittently, the clutch pedal will be stuck to the floor after pressing it to switch gears. It happened to me when I was going from neutral to 1st gear and from 1st gear to second gear which is a huge safety concern as the car stalled and I almost hit someone and someone almost hit me. It has only happened to me 2 times in the last month because I found the source of the problem. The clutch return line is at fault because it seems to be very short. Because of it being short, it has a lot of tension on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11302277, filed 2020-01, 5,000 miles“I bought my Ford Mustang on june 2018. When the miles hit 30,000, the engine shakes every time my vehicle starts, and my whole car shakes noticeably when idling. The exhaust gas flow from the car has obvious intermittent, meanwhile, the exhaust pipe shakes a lot, and you can clearly hear the burst sound or thump. In addition, my whole car has obvious jitters at low speeds of more than 2,000, and the acceleration is weak. When the speed is high you can feel a little less jittery. It is not jittery under normal operating conditions of the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11311847, filed 2020-02, 30,000 miles“2018 Mustang gt 6 speed performance pack, tires rubbing on inner wheel wells causing wires to show on inside of tire, few months ago took car it to dealership said nothing was wrong but there is holes rubbed into my wheel wells, also had a clutch issue and noise at same time and they said nothing was wrong again, took car back and a week ago had a clutch and trans problem come about, have to forcefully push shifter into a gear for it to go in, with the clutch fully pressed I can put the car in gear and it will attempt to take off, without releasing the clutch, I cannot get the car into 6th…”
NHTSA complaint #11355695, filed 2020-09, 22,000 milesRelated recalls
- 18V213000Apr 4, 2018Ford 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…Covers: Ford Mustang 2018, F-150 2017–2018, Expedition 2018 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11025611Nov 12, 2025Some 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…
- 11024874Oct 30, 2025This bulletin supersedes TSB 25-2301. Reason for update: update the Part List Description. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of…
- 11021972Aug 16, 2025This bulletin supersedes TSB 25-2126. Reason for update: update the Part List and Service Procedure. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least…
- 11001364Jun 4, 2024Some 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…
- 11000297May 18, 2024Various vehicles equiped with 10R80/10R80 MHT/10R100/10R140 transmissions may require replacement of the seal kits (7153) when internal repairs are being performed. These kits…
- 10253687Apr 15, 2024Some 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…
- 10253683Apr 9, 2024Some 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…
- 10252674Mar 29, 2024This article supersedes TSB 24-2046 to update the Service Procedure LTIS statement. Some 2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles…
- 10251934Mar 1, 2024During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical…
- 10251469Feb 23, 2024This article supersedes TSB 23-2350 to update the Issue statement and the Service Procedure. Some 2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019-2023 Ranger…
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 2018 Ford Mustang
59 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
12 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
12 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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