2012 Ford MUSTANG

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Ford MUSTANG has 573 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 7.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: 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. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 28 crash reports 15 injuries

573

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

7.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

TRANSMISSION

180 complaints

31%

• 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
• 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
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 8 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

158 complaints

28%

• 2012 MUSTANG IS A RENTAL VEHICLE FROM AVIS/BUDGET GROUP THAT I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO REPAIR. IT WAS RENTED OUT AND RETURNED WITH ALL 4 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CUSTOMER SEEMED TRUTHFUL. STATED THEY BLEW OUT WHILE AT FULL THROTTLE. DOESN'T REMEMBER SEEING ANYTHING IN HIS PATH. FELT A SIMULTANEOUS JOLT AS AL
• VEHICLE TURNED RIGHT FROM A STOP, ONTO A TEXAS STATE HIGHWAY. SHIFTING MANUALLY FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR, THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL (APPARENTLY DUE TO LOSS OF TRACTION BECAUSE THERE WAS A COATING OF FINE SAND ON THE TIRES). THE VEHICLE CROSSED 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC, AND IN DOING SO, WENT IN
• THE 2012 MUSTANG COLLIDED WITH A LARGE COMMERCIAL TRUCK. THE MUSTANG'S BRAKES WERE NOT APPLIED, SO THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS EVER DEPLOYED. DURING THIS ACCIDENT, THE MUSTANG WAS TRAVELING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 40 MPH AND WE BELIEVE THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 9 crashes

“2012 MUSTANG IS A RENTAL VEHICLE FROM AVIS/BUDGET GROUP THAT I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO REPAIR. IT WAS RENTED OUT AND RETURNED WITH ALL 4 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CUSTOMER SEEMED TRUTHFUL. STATED THEY BLEW OUT WHILE AT FULL THROTTLE. DOESN'T REMEMBER SEEING ANYTHING IN HIS PATH. FELT A SIMULTANEOUS JOLT AS AL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

35 complaints

• 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 EA
• ISSUE # 1 BRAKES: UPGRADE "BREMBO" BRAKES SQUEAKED ABOUT 2 WEEKS OUT THE DEALERSHIP. TOOK IT A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES AND DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE ISSUE, THE 5TH TIME, I DROVE THE VEHICLE AND SHOWED SERVICE ADVISOR AND TECH. ACCORDING TO DEALER THE REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE NEXT DAY, BRAKES ARE STIL
• WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND ON MY 2012 FORD MUSTANG GT MANUAL, OFTEN TIMES I AM UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR AND THE VEHICLE MAKES ME SHIFT INFO 4TH GEAR. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO GET BOGGED DOWN AND CAUSES ME TO LOSE ACCELERATION SPEED. USUALLY I HAVE TO THEN SHIFT AGAIN OUT OF 4TH A

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“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 EA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

33 complaints

• 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 COUL
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTATC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER WHENEVER IT ACCELERATED ABOVE 4500 RPMS. THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT A LOSS OF POWER, BUT WOULD NOT STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD N
• DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN ANY GEAR, WHEN GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, THE CAR WILL FALL ON IT'S FACE WHEN REACHING 3000 RPM'S AND UP AT ALL SPEEDS. IT MISSES AND THE TI-VCT ISN'T ENGAGING CORRECTLY. OIL LEVEL IS FULL, AND THE SPARK PLUGS LOOK GREAT. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT EVEN THROW AN MIL LIGHT. THE VEHICLE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“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 COUL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

23 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENGINE STARTUP, WATER WAS SEEN LEAKING FROM THE DASH BOARD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT
• WHILE DRIVING MY FORD MUSTANG AFTER A RAIN STORM I HEARD A VERY LOUD WATER SWISHING NOISE AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY. I QUICKLY ASCERTAINED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I WAS EXTREMELY SHOCKED AND CONCERNED AND HURRIED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DOOR WAS TAKEN APART IN THE
• MY CAR HAS HAD GALVANIC ACTION ON THE HOOD TWICE IN LESS THEN A YEAR. NO ACCIDENT, BUT THE PAINT BUBBLES AND SPLITS ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE HOOD IN SEVERAL PLACES. AN ELECTRIC CURRENT APPARENTLY OCCURS BETWEEN THE ALUMINUM HOOD AND THE STEEL BOLTS THAT CONNECT IT TO THE HOOD HINGE MECHANISM. FOR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENGINE STARTUP, WATER WAS SEEN LEAKING FROM THE DASH BOARD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 573 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: 2012 MUSTANG IS A RENTAL VEHICLE FROM AVIS/BUDGET GROUP THAT I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO REPAIR. IT WAS RENTED OUT AND RETURNED WITH ALL 4 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CUSTOMER SEEMED TRUTHFUL. STATED THEY BLEW OUT WHILE AT FULL THROTTLE. DOESN'T REMEMBER SEEING ANYTHING IN HIS PATH. FELT A SIMULTANEOUS JOLT AS AL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: 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 EA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 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 COUL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)