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2018 Ford Mustang problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
56% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2018 Ford Mustang are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 75% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Does the 2018 Ford Mustang have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 105 of 193 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Mustang concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (56%), and the largest group is filed under engine (56). For comparison, the 2017 scores 22% and the 2019 scores 55%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2018 compares with other Ford Mustang years
Of the 13 Ford Mustang years with enough complaints to score, the 2018 is the 4th-worst on engine and transmission share (56%). The worst is the 2011 (74%), the best the 2017 (22%). By volume, the 2018 drew 193 complaints (105 drivetrain), against 265 for the 2017 and 149 for the 2019.
Ford Mustang years to avoid and best years →
2010 Mustang problems · 2011 Mustang problems · 2012 Mustang problems · 2013 Mustang problems · 2014 Mustang problems · 2015 Mustang problems · 2016 Mustang problems · 2017 Mustang problems · 2018 · 2019 Mustang problems · 2020 Mustang problems · 2021 Mustang problems · 2022 Mustang problems
The rest of the picture on the 2018 Ford Mustang
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2018 Ford Mustang said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 105 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2018 Ford Mustang engine and transmission recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2018 Ford Mustang involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 4 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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: A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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…
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: Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing…
Fix: 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…
2 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model; one of NHTSA's listings did not answer when this page was built, so the list may be incomplete. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2018 Ford Mustang? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2018 Ford Mustang
Does the 2018 Ford Mustang have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 105 of 193 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Mustang concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (56%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Ford Mustang?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2018 Ford Mustang is engine: 56 of 193 complaints (29%) name it, followed by power train (45) and electrical system (31). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.
Is the 2018 Ford Mustang reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 56% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 75% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 13 Ford Mustang years we score, it ranks 4th-worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2018 Ford Mustang?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2018 Ford Mustang involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 4 in total: 18E035000 (engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger), 18V213000 (power train: automatic transmission). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Ford Mustang years are better?
Among the Ford Mustang years we track, the 2017 (22%), the 2021 (29%) and the 2015 (30%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2018 (56%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/ford-mustang
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.