What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2012 Ford Mustang

Early-defect pattern

15.6% of complaints about the 2012 Ford Mustang came in its first year of service — a higher share than 95% of the 201 2012 model-years on record. That points to problems present from new rather than wear. The most-reported system is air bags (157 complaints), typically at 4.6 yr or about 42,845 miles.

Complaints
526
Median age at failure
4.0 yr
Median mileage
34,400 n=347
Crash / fire / tow
8.2% of reports
Safety recalls
7 3 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
157 reports · 42,845 mi
4.6 yr
5.7%
Power train
140 reports · 28,500 mi
2.8 yr
7.9%
Speed control
34 reports · 39,000 mi
4.3 yr
11.8%
Engine
30 reports · 52,000 mi
3.8 yr
3.3%
Structure
23 reports · 37,000 mi
3.5 yr
8.7%
Electrical system
21 reports · 56,000 mi
4.9 yr
14.3%
Fuel / propulsion
18 reports · 57,187 mi
4.3 yr
0%
Steering
16 reports · 37,000 mi
3.7 yr
12.5%
Suspension
15 reports · 19,850 mi
1.9 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

19V001000 2019-01-07 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia,

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

17V024000 2017-01-10 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, De

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

15V319000 2015-05-28 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2014 Mustang vehicles manufactured April 6, 2004, to June 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 GT vehicles manufactured February 20, 2004, to September 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

21V081000 2021-02-16
Air bags:frontal

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

21E013000 2021-02-16
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. T

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

16V248000 2016-04-27
Power train:automatic transmission

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.

An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.

12V190000 2012-05-03
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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 SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 “LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.” THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.

IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE “R” POSITION AND THE VEHICLE’S TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE “R” MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP ON THE REAR OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, OR MUSTANG VEHICLES MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. THESE CON

In owners’ own words

Power train 13,743 mi 0 mo in service
6 SPD MANUAL TRANSMISSION, UNABLE TO UPSHIFT TO 3RD GEAR AROUND 4000 RPM. HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE RPMS CAME DOWN BELOW 2000 BEFORE IT WOULD GO INTO 3RD. WAS ACCELERATING FROM AN ON RAMP AND TRYING TO MERGE WITH THE 65 MPH+ TRAFFIC. HAD TO RIDE THE SHOULDER FOR A BIT UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WOULD LET ME SHIFT. NOT SAFE AT ALL. *KB
Power train 13,743 mi 0 mo in service
6 SPD MANUAL TRANSMISSION, UNABLE TO UPSHIFT TO 3RD GEAR AROUND 4000 RPM. HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE RPMS CAME DOWN BELOW 2000 BEFORE IT WOULD GO INTO 3RD. WAS ACCELERATING FROM AN ON RAMP AND TRYING TO MERGE WITH THE 65 MPH+ TRAFFIC. HAD TO RIDE THE SHOULDER FOR A BIT UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WOULD LET ME SHIFT. NOT SAFE AT ALL. *KB
Power train 300 mi 0 mo in service
I HAVE A 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. IT WILL NOT GO INTO 2ND GEAR SOMETIMES AND WHEN IT DOES IT'S NOTCHY AND CLUNKY (SOMETIME IT'S SMOOTH BUT RARE). UNDER HARDER ACCELERATION IT WILL NOT GO INTO 2ND GEAR AT ALL. IT DOES NOT GRIND OR ANYTHING. IT JUST WON'T GO IN. IT'S LIKE HITTING A WALL. I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME SEVERAL TIMES ON THE STREET AND HIGHWAY. *TR
Suspension 100 mi 1 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OVER A HUMP WHEN A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. UPDATED 02/15/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD BOTTOM OUT WHEN HE DROVE OVER A STRAIGHT PAVED ROAD. UPDATED 02/12/12

Other Mustang model years

202420202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

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