The Lemon Index

All cars · Ford Mustang · 2018

2018 Ford Mustang. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index89100 = average car
Complaints70NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold75,842U.S. model year
Per 100K sold92complaints
Year rank#13 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 5

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.3L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdRWD21 / 31 / 25Regular$2,500
2.3L 4-cyl turboAuto (S10)RWD20 / 29 / 23Regular$2,700
5.0L 8-cylAuto (S10)RWD16 / 25 / 19Regular$3,300
5.0L 8-cylManual 6-spdRWD15 / 25 / 18Regular$3,450
5.2L 8-cylManual 6-spdRWD14 / 21 / 16Premium$4,850

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,000 and 50,800 miles. Median 28,800, from 92 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine11,0002,800–55,50025
Transmission & drivetrain10,0002,800–36,20029
Electrical31,50016,200–53,50014
Body structure44,0009,000–51,0006
Backup camera65,00040,500–90,4005

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Transmission & drivetrain29%
Engine26%
Electrical20%
Body structure13%
Doors, locks & latches13%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
195813011

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 25V572000 Sep 2025 Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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 Identificati

  • 18E035000 May 2018 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine / Gasoline / Turbo/Supercharger

    Defect. Roush Performance Products, Inc. (Roush) is recalling certain aftermarket supercharger kits, part number R1318-6006P1-AA, sold for installation on 2018 Ford Mustangs. The hose barb fittings on the supercharger kits may be manufactured incorrectly, possibly causing damage to the fuel lines and resulting in a fuel leak.

    Risk. A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy. Roush will notify the known owners and replace the defective fuel rail subassemblies, free of charge. The recall began on May 31, 2018. Owners may contact Roush customer service at 1-800-597-6874. Roush's number for this recall is REMay2018.

  • 18V213000 Apr 2018 Power Train / Automatic Transmission

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 17V814000 Dec 2017 Electrical System / Software

    Defect. 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 numb

    Risk. 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.

Manufacturer communications 198

Ford filed 198 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Inoperative remote features via Ford

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Ford Mustang C RWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★
Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Ford Mustang GT350R 2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2015–2023 Ford Mustang, 69.7M views.

TopicVideosViews
Infotainment, battery & electrical2777K
Timing chain & engine1289K
Windows, doors & mirrors1202K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2015107127122,349Engine
201695106105,932Engine
2017736981,866Body structure
2018897075,842Transmission & drivetrain
2019654872,489Electrical
2020804661,090Brakes
2021492652,414Transmission & drivetrain

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data