Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2018 Ford Mustang: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Mustang, most recently filed September 2025. Owners have filed 194 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Mustang. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2018 Ford Mustang. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 25V572000 Filed Sep 3, 2025

Blank or Distorted Rearview Camera Image

Back over prevention · sensing system · camera
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
A 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.
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.
15.4% repairedof 1,456,417 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 25V572000
Listed for 2018 Ford Mustang. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V213000 Filed Apr 4, 2018

Missing Roll Pin Causing Loss of Park Function

Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
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.
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.
87.3% repairedof 142 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V213000
Listed for 2018 Ford Mustang. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 17V814000 Filed Dec 18, 2017

Vehicle May Roll Away/FMVSS 102, 114

Electrical system · instrument cluster/panel
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Ford 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."
Consequence
Without 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.
Remedy
Ford 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.
87.6% repairedof 2,100 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V814000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (194)

194 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

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

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Mustang, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 194.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2018 compares with other Mustang years

Best and worst Mustang years →
2014201520162017201820192020202120222023
This year (2018)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 9.3%★★★★★
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2018 Ford Mustang 2 dr rwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined

25
mpg combined
21
city
31
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,700
CO₂ tailpipe
357 g/mi
EPA class
Subcompact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,612per year
$218per month
600gallons a year

Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2018 Ford Mustang configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.3 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive21 / 31 / 25$2,700357
2.3 L 4-cyl · 10-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive21 / 32 / 25$2,700353
2.3 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23$2,900383
2.3 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23$2,900383
2.3 L 4-cyl · 10-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive20 / 29 / 23$2,900384
2.3 L 4-cyl · 10-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive20 / 29 / 23$2,900384
5 L 8-cyl · 10-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive16 / 25 / 19$3,550468
5 L 8-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive15 / 25 / 18$3,700483
5 L 8-cyl · 10-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 24 / 18$3,700490
5.2 L 8-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive14 / 21 / 16$5,150549

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2018 Mustang for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Mustang years

Where to next

2018 Ford Mustang FAQ

How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Mustang have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 25V572000 (rear camera), 18V213000 (power train), 17V814000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2018 Ford Mustang problems?

Owners filed 194 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (57), Power train (45), Electrical system (31) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2018 Ford Mustang get?

EPA rates the 2.3 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual version at 21 city, 31 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2018 Ford Mustang get?

NHTSA rated the 2018 Ford Mustang 2 dr rwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 5 stars rollover (9.3% rollover risk).

How does the 2018 Mustang compare with other years?

Among the 2014–2021 Ford Mustang model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (55) and the 2015 the most (437). The 2018 drew 194. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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