Showing the 2018 Mustang GT Coupe. We haven't verified this trim's engine; the numbers below cover every version of this model year. Every version
Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.
Fuel economy
16–25 mpgcombined; city 14–21, highway 21–32; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$12,990–$25,150U.S. average; Ohio $11,610–$23,700 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2018 Mustang. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.
Owners have filed 195 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Mustang. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.
Complaints by part of the car
Part
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Engine
58
1
1
1
Power train
46
4
0
0
Electrical system
31
1
1
1
Unknown or other
23
0
0
0
Structure
15
0
0
0
Back over prevention
12
0
0
0
Latches/locks/linkages
12
0
0
0
Engine and engine cooling
8
0
0
0
Fuel/propulsion system
8
1
1
1
Service brakes
6
1
0
0
Steering
4
1
0
0
Forward collision avoidance
3
0
0
0
10 more parts
Wheels
3
1
0
0
Air bags
2
2
0
4
Lane departure
2
0
0
0
Seat belts
2
0
0
0
Tires
2
0
0
0
Visibility/wiper
2
0
0
0
Exterior lighting
1
0
0
0
Seats
1
0
0
0
Suspension
1
0
0
0
Vehicle speed control
1
0
0
0
Complaints by model year
Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 Mustang over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.
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 driver’s 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.
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.
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.
Carmakers sent NHTSA 198 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2018 Mustang, the latest on Apr 29, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.
The parts they mention most: electrical system (61), power train (56), equipment (48), engine and engine cooling (18), unknown or other (18).
NHTSA hasn't opened a defect investigation that covers this model year.
Maintenance
Oil
The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2018 Mustang.
These are searches on those sites; we don't copy or check their listings. Your ZIP is used for these links and never kept.
Specs
EPA class: subcompact cars. EPA greenhouse gas score: 2–5 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
Version
Engine
Transmission
Fuel
City / hwy / comb
Mustang Rear-Wheel Drive
2.3 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Manual 6-spd
Regular Gasoline
21 / 31 / 25
Mustang Rear-Wheel Drive
2.3 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Automatic (S10)
Regular Gasoline
21 / 32 / 25
Mustang Rear-Wheel Drive
2.3 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Manual 6-spd
Regular Gasoline
20 / 28 / 23
Mustang Rear-Wheel Drive
2.3 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Automatic (S10)
Regular Gasoline
20 / 29 / 23
Mustang Rear-Wheel Drive
5.0 L, 8 cyl
Automatic (S10)
Regular Gasoline
16 / 25 / 19
Mustang Rear-Wheel Drive
5.0 L, 8 cyl
Manual 6-spd
Regular Gasoline
15 / 25 / 18
Mustang Rear-Wheel Drive
5.0 L, 8 cyl
Automatic (S10)
Regular Gasoline
15 / 24 / 18
Mustang Performance Package Rear-Wheel Drive
2.3 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Manual 6-spd
Regular Gasoline
20 / 28 / 23
Mustang Performance Package Rear-Wheel Drive
2.3 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Automatic (S10)
Regular Gasoline
20 / 29 / 23
Shelby GT350 Mustang Rear-Wheel Drive
5.2 L, 8 cyl
Manual 6-spd
Premium Gasoline
14 / 21 / 16
Sources and dates
U.S. EPA fuel economy data, file of Sep 29, 2026
NHTSA owner complaints, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA recalls, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA manufacturer communications, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA defect investigations, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, file of Aug 7, 2026
U.S. Energy Information Administration, file of Oct 12, 2026
Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data