Ford Mustang Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 726 of the 4,141 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Ford Mustang (17.5%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Transmission complaints
726
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
17.5%
of 4,141 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
8
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Ford Mustang transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 30 | 8.6% | 3 | — | 5 |
| 2009 | 7 | 3.9% | 0 | — | 4 |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% | 2 | — | 4 |
| 2011WORST | 200 | 42.9% | 1 | — | 20 |
| 2012WORST | 177 | 37.7% | 9 | 16V24800012V190000 | 14 |
| 2013WORST | 48 | 17.7% | 3 | 12V190000 | 15 |
| 2014 | 30 | 8.4% | 1 | — | 14 |
| 2015 | 42 | 9.6% | 2 | — | 20 |
| 2016 | 29 | 7.6% | 0 | — | 17 |
| 2017 | 23 | 8.6% | 1 | — | 18 |
| 2018 | 46 | 23.4% | 4 | 18V213000 | 61 |
| 2019 | 28 | 18.3% | 0 | 22V38200020V263000 | 50 |
| 2020 | 26 | 21.3% | 3 | 22V38200020V263000 | 50 |
| 2021 | 9 | 16.4% | 1 | — | 53 |
| 2022 | 4 | 7.8% | 0 | 23V070000 | 33 |
| 2023 | 1 | 6.7% | 0 | 23V070000 | 20 |
| 2024 | 10 | 11.8% | 0 | 24V394000 | 28 |
| 2025 | 3 | 15% | 0 | 25V164000 | 17 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Ford Mustang transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 726 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Ford Mustang years to avoid for the transmission
2011 Ford Mustang
200 transmission complaints (42.9% of the year's 466). Most often described: whining, grinding or humming noise.
2012 Ford Mustang
177 transmission complaints (37.7% of the year's 470). Most often described: whining, grinding or humming noise. Covered by transmission recalls 16V248000, 12V190000.
2013 Ford Mustang
48 transmission complaints (17.7% of the year's 271). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recall 12V190000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Ford Mustang years to avoid.
Ford Mustang transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Ford Mustang model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 25V164000 · 2025-03-14 · 2025 models
The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
- 24V394000 · 2024-06-03 · 2024 models
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.
- 23V070000 · 2023-02-10 · 2022–2023 models
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."
- 22V382000 · 2022-05-27 · 2019–2020 models
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.
- 20V263000 · 2020-05-09 · 2019–2020 models
The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.
- 18V213000 · 2018-04-04 · 2018 models
A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
- 16V248000 · 2016-04-27 · 2012 models
The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
- 12V190000 · 2012-05-03 · 2012–2013 models
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…
Which transmission does the Ford Mustang use?
- Ford 6R80 — 2012–2013
- Ford 10R80 — 2018–2022, 2025
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2011 Ford Mustang have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 200 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2011 Ford Mustang, 42.9% of all 466 complaints for that year. The most common description is "whining, grinding or humming noise" (70 complaints). 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2012 Ford Mustang have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 177 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Ford Mustang, 37.7% of all 470 complaints for that year. The most common description is "whining, grinding or humming noise" (34 complaints). 2 transmission-related recalls cover it: 16V248000, 12V190000. 9 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2013 Ford Mustang have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 48 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 Ford Mustang, 17.7% of all 271 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (7 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 12V190000. 3 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Ford Mustang years have the most transmission complaints?
2011 (200), 2012 (177) and 2013 (48), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Ford Mustang transmission problems?
In the 726 transmission complaints, owners most often describe whining, grinding or humming noise (17.8%), jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (14.7%) and will not shift, stuck in gear or no reverse (13.2%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Ford Mustang model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration