Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Ford Mustang owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission, on occasion, did not shift into second and third gear. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed clutch pad. The contact was informed that the clutch pad needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and did not assist. The contact was informed to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power and hesitated to accelerate. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: AS-21687 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked the contact wife who was in the passenger heard a loud noise coming from the vehicle, when she noticed that the vehicle had shifted into driver and was rolling frontwards crashing into a boulder cause the vehicle to stop completely. No one was injured, a police report was filed. The dealer was contacted, and they stated there was nothing they could. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 68,000. VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle was hard shifting with a delay while shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic stated that there was no failure found and that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.
I've never had similar issue before this. I was accelerating slowly at a speed of approximately 20-30 MPH when the car lurched, the "traction control" light and wrench light came on, and I was unable to accelerate the car at all. I was forced to pull to the side of the road. After about 30 seconds I attempted to restart the car and the engine turned a few extra times but did start. I was able to drive home (within 0.5 mile) at very slow speeds. Over the next day I tested the car on back roads: it frequently required the engine to turn extra in order to start, and it seemed that whenever I tried to accelerate too rapidly the problem returned and I was forced to coast/brake to a stop and restart the engine. If I accelerated very slowly I was able to drive the car but at no point could I pass 20-30 MPH. …
I arrived home from work and noticed some coolant leaking out of my car. I popped the hood and saw coolant seeping from the weep hole. When I cranked the car back up, coolant started pouring out underneath the car, bad water pump. I had it towed to dealership today and was told there is a technical bulletin on the hose leading to water pump because it allows air in and causes the water pump to fail. The entire area has to be replaced with a new hose that includes a check valve, so it doesn't continue to happen. This is an obvious manufacturing defect. I was told any car that came in without a check valve has to be replaced with the new hose including a check valve and that I have to incur the entire expense $486 plus tax because hoses are not covered by powertrain warranty. I called Ford and was told due to no recall, I would not be reimbursed for this service. …
Driving in city @ 35mph, went to accelerate and nothing happened. Thought engine stalled but still had ps & pb,s. Called local shop, said to turn off & restart. Did and throttle returned. Two days later, happened again, on county highway @ about 60 MPH. Pulled over, turned off, restarted, went to local shop. No check engine light or wrench ?? Light came on. Computer test all negative,but probably a bad electronic throttle body needed @ $ 500. + . Took car and got on line, not going to spend $ until sure of exact issue. Found NHTSA csp 13n03 , addressing my identical issue for 2011 fusions & escapes with v6 engines, but haven't found for 2011 Mustang. This extends warranty to 150,000, and 10 years. I have 109,879 miles now, and issue happened twice today on interstate @ 75 MPH. …
Ford recalled 202,000 vehicles and has a TSB for the bulkhead connection leakage in transmission, however my year 2011 was not, however I just paid over 600 for the repair and could've been killed had all the fluid leaked out. I think Ford needs to take responsibility for all vehicles, not just cherry pick particular year model. Mine is only one year off and it should be part of the recall or perhaps another infamous "customer satisfaction program" such as they did with the throttle control body issues. Dangerous! Car downshifted while I was doing 70 on I-12
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Mustang. While driving, the vehicle failed to shift into first gear. There were no warning indicators illuminated. When the vehicle was restarted, it drove normally. In addition, when the vehicle was in reverse, the transmission became difficult to shift. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
2011 Ford Mustang, while driving home from work at 45-50 MPH car shuttered. Then no power, no throttle response with engine holding steady 1100 RPM. Wrench light on dash lit up, RPM at 1100rpm press throttle- no response at all. Steering, brakes all functioning. Turned key off and restarted, car ran fine and has not happened again yet. Car has less than 46000 miles..
NHTSA investigations
Inability to shift gears on acceleration
The Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Ford as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.In total, there were 364 unique reports indicating various shift quality issues while driving.Ford identified several factors that may contribute to shift quality concerns in the subject vehicles, including cold transmission, clutch stay-out at high engine speeds, gear clash or…
Transmission complaints in other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA has 200 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Ford Mustang, 43% of the model year's 466 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (95 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Mustang transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2011 Ford Mustang, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford Mustang transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 5,000 miles, and 79% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.