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 2018 Ford Mustang owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that his son parked the vehicle and set the parking brake and exited the vehicle; however, the rolled away and crashed into a tree. The contact stated that after the failure, he researched online and found a recall for rollaway failures however, the vehicle was not manufactured in the date range of the recalled vehicles. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V213000 (Power Train) as the possible cause of the failure. The contact spoke with the local dealer and was made aware that the manufacturer was very rigid when it came to vehicles that were not included in a recall even if the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The contact was also informed that the manufacturer would not help if the VIN was not included in the recall. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a grinding sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle jerked abnormally. In addition, the contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was provided with the cost of a diagnostic test fee. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with valve body failure. The contact was informed that the valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of Technical Service Bulletin: 21-2115. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was also informed of Technical Service Bulletin: 10R80; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the program. …
I was driving down the road in my 2018 Mustang ecoboost. When all of the sudden slowing down it locked the rear wheels up. I slid off the road and fortunately I didn't hit anything but it did pop my side skirt off in the rear of the car. Thankfully the person behind me reacted in quick enough time to get around me considering the rainy weather conditions. This is very dangerous. It's throwing a code for a solenoid B. Had traction control lights. And says see manual. But they all illuminated after the problem first happened. The car has been parked for a while. However someone suggested I try this website. There were no pre warnings to what was going on. The car drove fine up until the point of it just randomly deciding to lock the rear wheels up. I still owe money on the car and have been paying for it for almost two years since it happened. The car has around 100k miles. …
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, there was damage to the front-end undercarriage due to climbing over the parking blocks. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started the check transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V213000 (Power Train). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,198.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was advised that the 1st and 2nd clutch plates needed to be replaced; however, when the contact attempted to start the vehicle the next day, it was difficult shifting gear, causing the vehicle to jolt while the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be removed and the CDS Drum needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the reverse lock out collar failed to operate as needed. Due to the failure, the contact was able to freely shift the vehicle into reverse while driving. The contact practiced extreme precaution while driving to prevent the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that a customer satisfaction program had been placed on similar vehicles for the failure; however, his vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly came to a stop while attempting to shift to second gear. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving in second gear, which required the contact to release the accelerator pedal before the vehicle could shift to second gear. The vehicle was taken to O'Reilly's, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while at stop light the rear end of the vehicle would began to shake before the vehicle would stall and shut off and the message "shift to park" had displayed. The contact indicated the failure was intermittent. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Recall Campaign number: 18V213000(Power Train). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 35,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into reverse properly, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle jerked until shifting into gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the CDF drum and the main control were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 25-2126 as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 102,000.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
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.
Transmission complaints in other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2018 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2018 Ford Mustang, 23% of the model year's 196 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Ford Mustang transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-213 (automatic transmission, Apr 4, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Ford Mustang transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 10,000 miles, and 62% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 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.