2018 Ford Mustang Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

53Engine complaints

28.8%Of all 184 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE53 · 28.8%

POWER TRAIN40 · 21.7%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM26 · 14.1%

Unspecified / other21 · 11.4%

STRUCTURE:BODY15 · 8.2%

Share of the 184 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2018 Ford Mustang overview page.

What owners report

“Ford Incorporation is selling vehicles with malfunctioning engines. Ford cut in between each cylinder block to allow the coolant to cool the engine, however this…”NHTSA complaint 11589695 — filed 05/20/2024

“Just like the other Ford Ecoboost engines, mine is also leaking coolant into the engine, which is causing me to have to buy an entire…”NHTSA complaint 11588002 — filed 05/10/2024

“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine over heated. The engine overheated warning light…”NHTSA complaint 11585153 — filed 04/25/2024

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Ford Mustang have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2018 Ford Mustang: 53 of 184 complaints on file (28.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2018 Ford Mustang have in total?

184 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 8 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, 5 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.