Model year 2018 · Subcompact Cars

2018 Ford Mustang: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2018 Ford Mustang at 16–25 mpg combined across 10 versions. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 196 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

EPA combined mpg

16–25

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Ford dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2018 Ford Mustang recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 3 safety recalls for the 2018 Ford Mustang, newest first.

Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera

NHTSA 25V572000 Reported Sep 3, 2025

Filed by: Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25S89)
Units affected: 1,456,417 (estimate)
Problem: 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 driverâs 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 Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Power train: Automatic transmission

NHTSA 18V213000 Reported Apr 4, 2018

Filed by: Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 18S09)
Units affected: 142 (estimate)
Problem: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Electrical system: Software and 1 more component

NHTSA 17V814000 Reported Dec 18, 2017

Filed by: Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 17C21)
Components: Electrical system: Software; Electrical system: Instrument cluster/panel
Units affected: 2,100 (estimate)
Problem: 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 number 114, "Theft Protection."
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2018 Ford Mustang fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2018 Ford Mustang EPA fuel economy
Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Fuel	City/Hwy/Comb	Fuel cost/yr	CO2 g/mi
Mustang	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Manual 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	21/31/25 mpg	$2,700	357
Mustang	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 10-speed	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	21/32/25 mpg	$2,700	353
Mustang	5.0L 8-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/25/18 mpg	$3,700	483
Mustang	5.0L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-speed	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	16/25/19 mpg	$3,550	468
Mustang Convertible	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Manual 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	20/28/23 mpg	$2,900	383
Mustang Convertible	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 10-speed	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	20/29/23 mpg	$2,900	384
Mustang Convertible	5.0L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-speed	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/24/18 mpg	$3,700	490
Mustang Performance Package	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Manual 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	20/28/23 mpg	$2,900	383
Mustang Performance Package	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 10-speed	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	20/29/23 mpg	$2,900	384
Shelby GT350 Mustang	5.2L 8-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Premium	14/21/16 mpg	$5,150	549

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2018 Ford Mustang crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2018 Ford Mustang NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk	Forward collision warning
2018 Ford Mustang 2 DR RWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	9.3%	Optional
2018 Ford Mustang C RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	5 stars	8.1%	Optional
2018 Ford Mustang GT350R 2 DR RWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	9.3%	Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2018 Ford Mustang owner complaints

Owners have filed 196 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Mustang, most recently on Oct 20, 2026. 8 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 5 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2018 Ford Mustang complaints
Component named in complaints	Mentions
Engine	59
Power train	43
Electrical system	27
Unknown or other	23
Structure: Body	15
Latches/locks/linkages: Doors: Latch	10
Fuel/propulsion system	8
Engine and engine cooling	7
Back over prevention	6
Service brakes	6

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Ford Mustang model years

Ford Mustang by model year
Year	Combined	Recalls	Complaints	Overall rating
2026 Mustang	12–26 mpg	5	8	5/5
2025 Mustang	12–26 mpg	6	19	5/5
2024 Mustang	17–26 mpg	12	84	5/5
2023 Mustang	17–25 mpg	6	15	5/5
2022 Mustang	14–25 mpg	9	50	5/5
2021 Mustang	14–25 mpg	6	55	5/5
2020 Mustang	14–25 mpg	8	121	5/5
2019 Mustang	16–25 mpg	6	151	5/5
2017 Mustang	16–24 mpg	6	268	5/5
2016 Mustang	16–25 mpg	5	380	5/5
2015 Mustang	18–25 mpg	11	437	5/5

All Ford Mustang years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2018 Ford models

2018 Ford C-MAX 2018 Ford EcoSport 2018 Ford Edge 2018 Ford Escape 2018 Ford Expedition 2018 Ford Explorer 2018 Ford F150 2018 Ford Fiesta 2018 Ford Flex 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Fusion 2018 Ford GT 2018 Ford Taurus 2018 Ford Transit Connect 2018 Ford Transit T150 Wagon

Sources

Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Ford.