The 2018 Ford Mustang is associated with 187 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 4 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 44 reports (24% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 10 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2.3l 4-cyl, 5l 8-cyl, and 5.2l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 16 to 25 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 187 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 4 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (44 / 24%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 8 crash / 1 fire / 3 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 16–25 MPG (10 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Mustang | 2.3L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 21 MPG | 31 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Mustang | 2.3L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 21 MPG | 32 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Mustang Performance Package | 2.3L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 20 MPG | 28 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Mustang Convertible | 2.3L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 20 MPG | 28 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Mustang Convertible | 2.3L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 20 MPG | 29 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Mustang Performance Package | 2.3L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 20 MPG | 29 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Mustang | 5L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 MPG | 25 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| Mustang | 5L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 15 MPG | 25 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Mustang Convertible | 5L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 15 MPG | 24 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Shelby GT350 Mustang | 5.2L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 14 MPG | 21 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $4,750 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| C RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | | 8.1% |
| 2 DR RWD | | | | | 9.3% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Ford Mustang models.
View complete 2018 Ford Mustang crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2018 Ford Mustang problems & component breakdown (41 categories) →
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
Affected Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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 this recall is REMay2018.
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
View all 2018 Ford Mustang recalls & campaign history (4 campaigns) →