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2018 Ford Mustang

Gas
Subcompact Cars
10 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
76 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA188
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA25 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Ford Mustang is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 10 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Mustang, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 188 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
MustangGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo213125$2,500
MustangGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo213225$2,500
Mustang ConvertibleGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo202823$2,700
Mustang ConvertibleGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo202923$2,700
Mustang Performance PackageGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo202823$2,700
Mustang Performance PackageGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo202923$2,700
MustangGasRWD5.0L 8-cyl162519$3,300
MustangGasRWD5.0L 8-cyl152518$3,450
Mustang ConvertibleGasRWD5.0L 8-cyl152418$3,450
Shelby GT350 MustangGasRWD5.2L 8-cyl142116$4,850

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39642, 39648, 39644, 39647, 39643, 39649, 39650, 39645, 39651, 39646.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Ford Mustang is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Back Over Prevention

25S89
1,456,417 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskA rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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, 202
NHTSA campaign 25V572000reported Sep 3, 2025Ford Motor Company
▲high

Power Train

18S09
142 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskDespite 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.FixFord 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V213000reported Apr 4, 2018Ford Motor Company
▲high

Electrical System

17C21
2,100 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company is recalling certain 2018 Ford Mustang vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and a 12.4" digital instrument cluster. If the ignition is turned off when the transmission is not in PARK, the instrument cluster may not illuminate the PRNDL gear position display and the operator may not receive the "Key in Ignition" chime when the driver's door is opened. As such, these vehicles fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence/Starter Interlock/Transmission Braking Effect," and number 114, "Theft Protection."RiskWithout a visual or audible warning to the driver that the vehicle is in 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.FixFord will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C21.
NHTSA campaign 17V814000reported Dec 18, 2017Ford Motor Company

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
188complaints filed

8 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 5 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2018: 10 · 2019: 20 · 2020: 24 · 2021: 16 · 2022: 17 · 2023: 21 · 2024: 19 · 2025: 42 · 2026: 19

Most-cited components

Engine54
Power Train45
Electrical System31
Unspecified21
Structure15
Back Over Prevention12

What owners describe

“Driving at highway speeds, the passenger door suddenly unlatched and "door adjar" notification warning was displayed. Had to exit the highway in order to close and secure door. I have previously reported this same issue, to NHTSA several times before. I have video of the incident.”May 2, 2022 · Structure · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated when he had parked his vehicle at his residence driveway and returned later, the vehicle had rolled forward 200 feet into a neighboring parking lot. The vehicle had been stopped by a parking block causing damage to the driver’s side rear fender. Additionally, t…”Apr 22, 2022 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“I shifted into reverse and the rear-view camera image was very distorted. I shifted to neutral and then reverse again with no help. After checking the internet for info I found comments regarding the wire harness leading to the trunk lid. I did not find any obvious damage, but jiggled the wires and re-checked the syste…”Apr 12, 2022 · Back Over Prevention · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9%
2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9%
C RWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★8%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Mustang model years

F

2026 Ford Mustang

5 recalls · 5 complaints

F

2025 Ford Mustang

6 recalls · 14 complaints

F

2024 Ford Mustang

12 recalls · 74 complaints

F

2023 Ford Mustang

6 recalls · 15 complaints

F

2022 Ford Mustang

9 recalls · 49 complaints

F

2021 Ford Mustang

6 recalls · 55 complaints

F

2020 Ford Mustang

8 recalls · 118 complaints

F

2019 Ford Mustang

6 recalls · 147 complaints

F

2017 Ford Mustang

6 recalls · 265 complaints

F

2016 Ford Mustang

5 recalls · 375 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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