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2012 Ford MUSTANG: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

469 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

23,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 307 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 158 of 469 complaints (33.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting13127.9%
Braking behavior275.8%
Steering behavior214.5%
Engine operation204.3%
Electrical and battery issues61.3%
Fuel system concerns10.2%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
158
Power Train
157
Vehicle Speed Control
35
Engine
30
Electrical System
21
Power Train:Manual Transmission
20
Structure:Body
20
Fuel/Propulsion System
18
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags158
Power Train157
Vehicle Speed Control35
Engine30
Electrical System21
Power Train:Manual Transmission20
Structure:Body20
Fuel/Propulsion System18

Air Bags: 158; Power Train: 157; Vehicle Speed Control: 35; Engine: 30; Electrical System: 21; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 20; Structure:Body: 20; Fuel/Propulsion System: 18

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
160
25,000 to 49,999
57
50,000 to 74,999
53
75,000 to 99,999
23
100,000 to 149,999
10
150,000 and above
4
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000160
25,000 to 49,99957
50,000 to 74,99953
75,000 to 99,99923
100,000 to 149,99910
150,000 and above4

Under 25,000: 160; 25,000 to 49,999: 57; 50,000 to 74,999: 53; 75,000 to 99,999: 23; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 4

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (160). 162 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2011
66
2012
31
2013
37
2014
32
2015
56
2016
98
2017
57
2018
36
2019
22
2020
7
2021
7
2022
7
2023
4
2024
4
2025
4
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
201166
201231
201337
201432
201556
201698
201757
201836
201922
20207
20217
20227
20234
20244
20254
20261

2011: 66; 2012: 31; 2013: 37; 2014: 32; 2015: 56; 2016: 98; 2017: 57; 2018: 36; 2019: 22; 2020: 7; 2021: 7; 2022: 7; 2023: 4; 2024: 4; 2025: 4; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 131 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10393007 · 2011-03-27 (March 27, 2011)

I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2012 FORD MUSTANG GT COUPE (THIS SITE WILL NOT LET ME SELECT A 2012 MUSTANG FROM THE DROP DOWN MENU, ONLY 2011), PURCHASED 3/11/11. IT IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING A "CLUTCH STAY OUT" PROBLEM. IT IS A SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AT HIGH RPM, THE CLUTCH WILL NOT RELEASE FOR THE SHIFT UNTIL THE RPMS FALL BACK BELOW A CERTAIN LEVEL. I AM UNSURE IF THIS HOLDS TRUE FOR ALL THE GEARS AS MY CAR IS STILL FAIRLY NEW AND IN BREAK-IN AND I HAVEN'T TAKEN ANY GEAR PAST 5K RPM. THAT SAID, THE PHYSIC…

Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10393007 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10403000 · 2011-05-27 (May 27, 2011)

WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY AT A INTERSECTION AND GENTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ENGINE ACCELERATED AND THE ABS WENT ON BUT THE CAR DIDN'T STOP UNTIL I TURNED THE CORNER. I CHECKED THE NEXT DAY TO SEE IF IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT I HAD APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE IS NO WAY MY FOOT COULD HAVE APPLIED BOTH SYSTEMS SIMULTANEOUSLY. I HAD THE DEALER CHECK MY AUTO TODAY BUT BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE DIDN'T COME ON THE COULD NOT FIND ANY MALFUNCTION. THIS IS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE ON THE 2012 FORD MUSTANG V6. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10403000 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10403614 · 2011-05-28 (May 28, 2011)

BRAND NEW 2012 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 302, 5.0L, MT82 6-SPD TRANSMISSION. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THIS CAR HAS A REVISED CLUTCH MECHANISM VS. THE 2011 MODEL YEAR. REGARDLESS, I'VE BEGUN TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUES 2011 MODEL YEAR OWNERS REPORT. I'VE OWNED THE CAR LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AND WITH LESS THAN 200 MILES ON THE CAR AT A STOP LIGHT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE INTO FIRST GEAR FULLY. THIS RESULTS IN A GRINDING COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. NEARLY REAR ENDED, VEHICLE WAS AT A LIGHT AT THE END OF A FREEWAY RAMP AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE UNT…

Owner-reported narrative. 295 miles reported. Look up ODI 10403614 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10404217 · 2011-06-02 (June 2, 2011)

2012 MUSTANG GT 5.0 1.MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, COULD NOT GET THE CAR IN 2ND GEAR. 2.THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. AND COULD BE DEADLY, 1 OF THESE TIMES, IF THE DRIVERS DON'T RECOGNIZE I CAN NOT ACCELERATE UP TO SPEED, BECAUSE IM STUCK TRYING TO GET MY CAR INTO GEAR IN A PANIC. 3.NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY FORD OR THE DEALER BECAUSE THE SAY NOTHING IS WRONG AND IT IS NORMAL! *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10404217 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10406901 · 2011-06-15 (June 15, 2011)

2012 MUSTANG V6 MANUAL 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION. HARD TO SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR. STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON PCH AND TOPANGA CANYON WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD IN A BABY DAUGHTER IN THE BABY SEAT IN THE BACK BEHIND ME. I SAW A DRIVER BEHIND ME COMING IN TOO FAST. I STARTED PREPPING IF I HAD TO MOVE FORWARD INTO THE INTERSECTION THAT HAD NO TRAFFIC JUST IN CASE. WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR NO MATTER WHAT I TRIED. QUICKLY I SHIFTED INTO 2ND AND SAW THE DRIVER SMASH THE BREAKS WHILE HIS TIRES WERE SMOKING AS HE WAS APPROACHING MY REAR END IN A SLIDE. CAR HAD ENO…

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10406901 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10407584 · 2011-06-20 (June 20, 2011)

I OWN A 2012 MUSTANG GT WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HAS EXHIBITED VERY ROUGH SHIFTING ABOUT A WEEK AFTER PURCHASE. ADDITIONALLY THE CLUTCH AND DRIVETRAIN ARE VERY NOISY - LOT'S OF CLANGS AND SEEMINGLY LOOSE PARTS. THE CAR WILL POP OUT OF GEAR OCCASIONALLY WHEN IN 1ST. SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND IS SOMETIMES SMOOTH, SOMETIMES VERY ROUGH AND SOMETIMES GRINDS. ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO 2ND WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN SEEMS TO MAKE ROUGH SHIFTING WORSE. I WAS AT A LIGHT MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A FOUR LANE ROAD. I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LAND WI…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10407584 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10416168 · 2011-07-28 (July 28, 2011)

BRAND NEW 2012 BOSS 302 MUSTANG WITH MT-82 TRANSMISSION. FAILURE TO SHIFT INTO 3RD & 5TH GEARS IN REGULAR DRIVING CYCLE TRANSMISSION GRINDS /POPS OUT OF 3RD & 5TH GEARS RENDERING CAR MISSION DISABLED/ REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION AFTER TAKING BACK TO DEALER , AND FORD WILL NOT REPLACE, ONLY REPAIR/ MEANWHILE, PARTS HAVE BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR 2+ WEEKS, BAR IS AT DEALER FOR 3 WEEKS NOW/ FORD IS AWARE OF THESE TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH THE MT-82 MODEL TRANSMISSIONS, AND WILL NOT ADMIT TO THEIR DESIGN/BUILD ISSUES.

Owner-reported narrative. 120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10416168 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10417004 · 2011-08-04 (August 4, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT THE RPM SUDDENLY STARTED TO INCREASE AS IF THE VEHICLE WANTED TO TAKE OFF. THE BRAKE WAS BEING DEPRESSED FIRMLY TO DECREASE THE RPM ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS RECURRED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES AT EACH STOP LIGHT WHILE HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THEY WOULD INSTALL A FLIGHT RECORDED ANALYZER ON HIS VEHICLE TO RECORD…

Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10417004 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

12V190000 · Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

Reported: 2012-05-03 (May 3, 2012)

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.

Consequence: 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 CONDITIONS INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK DUE TO THE VEHICLE’S NOT SIGNALING IT IS IN REVERSE.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TRS AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V319000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2015-05-28 (May 28, 2015)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2016. Even if interim repairs were performed under safety recall 14V-802, owners must bring their vehicles in for the final remedy. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S21. Note: This recall supersedes safety recall 14V-802.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V248000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Reported: 2016-04-27 (April 27, 2016)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V024000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)

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, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

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

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V001000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-01-07 (January 7, 2019)

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, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

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

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V081000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2021-02-16 (February 16, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

NHTSA campaign record ↗