The Lemon Index
Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.
What owners describe
Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.
Transmission and power train recalls
- 2025 2025
The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
- 2024 2024
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.
- 2023 2023
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.".
- 2020 2020
The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.
- 2020 2022
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
In owners' words
2011 mustang gt, manual transmission grinds shifting into second gear. It is real bad when cold and gets better as it warms up.
2011 Ford Mustang owner · NHTSA complaint
Transmission jumping out of gear during moving, impossible to down shift to aid in engine braking or dodging/avoiding obstacles.
2011 Ford Mustang owner · NHTSA complaint
Quick answers
Which Ford Mustang years have transmission problems?
By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Ford Mustang years are 2011, 2012, 2013.
What are common Ford Mustang transmission problems?
Owners most often describe hard or jerky shifting, lost power while driving, stuck in gear or limp mode.
Which Ford Mustang years have the fewest transmission complaints?
Since 2010, the Ford Mustang years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2023, 2022, 2025.
See every problem, not just the transmission: Ford Mustang reliability by year. How we count