Ford Mustang Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 1,060 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Ford Mustang across 32 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (200). The words owners use most often: “manual transmission” (11% of reports).
- 1,060power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 47mention a crash
- 15mention an injury
- 8related recalls
- $2,900typical repair cost reported by owners
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Manual transmission: mentioned in 121 of 1,060 complaints (11%)
- 2ND gear: mentioned in 88 of 1,060 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Ford Mustang at $2,900, and half of them between $1,200 and $4,200.
Based on 24 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1998–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 666 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,060 complaints, 47 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 15 an injury.
Ford Mustang power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Mustang | 1 | 13% | — |
| 2025 Mustang | 2 | 11% | 14,000 |
| 2024 Mustang | 10 | 12% | — |
| 2023 Mustang | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2022 Mustang | 4 | 8% | — |
| 2021 Mustang | 9 | 16% | — |
| 2020 Mustang | 25 | 21% | 13,462 |
| 2019 Mustang | 28 | 19% | 17,000 |
| 2018 Mustang | 46 | 24% | 10,000 |
| 2017 Mustang | 22 | 8% | 36,625 |
| 2016 Mustang | 29 | 8% | 5,500 |
| 2015 Mustang | 42 | 10% | 12,000 |
| 2014 Mustang | 30 | 8% | 19,460 |
| 2013 Mustang | 48 | 18% | 57,000 |
| 2012 Mustang | 177 | 38% | 12,250 |
| 2011 Mustang | 200 | 43% | 4,900 |
| 2010 Mustang | 13 | 5% | 16,500 |
| 2009 Mustang | 7 | 4% | 20,000 |
| 2008 Mustang | 30 | 9% | 10,250 |
| 2007 Mustang | 35 | 6% | 16,000 |
| 2006 Mustang | 32 | 8% | 39,500 |
| 2005 Mustang | 25 | 4% | 7,500 |
| 2004 Mustang | 9 | 8% | 16,400 |
| 2003 Mustang | 15 | 10% | 7,928 |
| 2002 Mustang | 7 | 6% | 21,000 |
| 2001 Mustang | 16 | 9% | 10,588 |
| 2000 Mustang | 40 | 13% | 79,000 |
| 1999 Mustang | 25 | 12% | 25,000 |
| 1998 Mustang | 21 | 9% | — |
| 1997 Mustang | 29 | 16% | — |
| 1996 Mustang | 25 | 10% | — |
| 1995 Mustang | 57 | 9% | 95,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (8)
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
Model years: 2025
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
Risk: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
Power train:clutch assembly:linkage:hydraulic hose/fittings
Model years: 2024
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Mustang vehicles. The clutch pressure line may be improperly secured and contact hot exhaust components, which can result in melting of the clutch pressure line and cause a brake fluid leak.
Risk: A melted clutch pressure line can result in a loss of drive power, increases the risk of a crash. A brake fluid leak increases the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the clutch pressure line and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 14, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S36.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2022, 2023
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."
Risk: The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2019, 2020
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may broadcast an unintended faulted signal to the modules controlling the reverse camera, reverse light, and driver assist features, which may disable all of these functions.
Risk: A rearview camera or reverse light that is disabled reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Disabled driver assist features (traction control, forward collision warning, blind spot warning, cross traffic indicator) may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 15, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S37.
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl); electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Model years: 2019, 2020
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles. The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.
Risk: If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being shifted into park, unintended vehicle movement may result, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S21.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2018
Problem: 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 the risk of injury or a crash.
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 customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S09.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2012
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Risk: An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.
Exterior lighting:back up lights; power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2012, 2013
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 ford f-150, 2012 expedition and lincoln navigator, and 2012-2013 mustang vehicles, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard nos. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" and 108 âlamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.â these vehicles may have a transmission range sensor (trs) that was calibrated out of specification for reverse gear.
Risk: If this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse ârâ position and the vehicleâs transmission does go in reverse, the ârâ may not illuminate on the dashboard of the f-150, expedition, or navigator models and/or the backup lamp on the rear of the f-150, expedition, navigator, or mustang vehicles may not illuminate. These conditions increase the risk of a crash or a pedestrian being struck due to the vehicleâs not signaling it is in reverse.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the trs as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on june 11, 2012. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The 2.3L EcoBoost engine failed due to coolant leaking into the combustion chambers. The dealer found coolant present in cylinders 1 and 4, the cylinder 4 piston washed, and vertical scoring on the cylinder 4 wall. The dealer's recommendation is complete engine replacement. Yes, the engine is…
I own a 2024 Ford Mustang (VIN above) subject to safety recall 26V547 / Ford 26C40 for engine wiring-harness ground eyelets that can fracture and cause loss of motive power. As of Oct 10, 2026, Ford's VIN lookup still shows the recall incomplete with no remedy or parts available and no dealer able…
COMPONENT / SYSTEM FAILED: The Electronic Power Steering Assist / Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) and vehicle electrical ground system failed. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. RISK TO SAFETY & NEAR-MISS INCIDENT: While driving on the highway at 62 mph in light rain, the…
2024 Ford Mustang has shown severe defects since September of 2025. Vehicle has been in and out of shop every month since first incident of vehicle going completely dead without cause or warning. Vehicle has since produced escalating engine misfires, loss of acceleration while driving on highway…
Ford has several technical service bulletins on their 10 speed transmission. I have 28,000 miles on my vehicle and need a new transmission. My service manager says that the earlier 10 speeds have issues with some components that are not strong enough, and that current transmissions have been…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Mustangs have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,060 owner complaints about power train for the Ford Mustang. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Mustang power train?
Yes: 8 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Ford Mustang?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,900 (half paid between $1,200 and $4,200), from 24 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Ford Mustang?
The most frequent phrase is “manual transmission”, in 121 of 1,060 complaints, followed by “2nd gear” (88).
Other Ford Mustang problems
- Air Bags problems (2,316)
- Electrical System problems (850)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (762)
- Engine problems (524)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (498)
- Structure problems (481)
- Steering problems (285)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (277)
See all Ford Mustang problems.