MYRModel Year Report

2012 Ford Mustang

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 Ford Mustang
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
469
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

38% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1990: 87 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1995: 603 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2001: 173 complaints 2002: 118 complaints 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2007: 615 complaints 2008: 347 complaints 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2012 469 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 359 complaints 2015: 438 complaints 2016: 377 complaints 2017: 266 complaints 2018: 194 complaints 2019: 149 complaints 2020: 120 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 82 complaints 2025: 18 complaints 2026: 8 complaints
1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1989 1990: 87 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1995: 603 complaints 1995 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2001: 173 complaints 2001 2002: 118 complaints 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2007: 615 complaints 2007 2008: 347 complaints 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2012 469 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 359 complaints 2015: 438 complaints 2016: 377 complaints 2016 2017: 266 complaints 2018: 194 complaints 2019: 149 complaints 2019 2020: 120 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 82 complaints 2025: 18 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints
1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1988 1989: 111 complaints 1990: 87 complaints 1990 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1994 1995: 603 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1996 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2000 2001: 173 complaints 2002: 118 complaints 2002 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2006 2007: 615 complaints 2008: 347 complaints 2008 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2012 469 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 359 complaints 2014 2015: 438 complaints 2016: 377 complaints 2016 2017: 266 complaints 2018: 194 complaints 2018 2019: 149 complaints 2020: 120 complaints 2020 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 82 complaints 2024 2025: 18 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026

2012: 469 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19804
19810
19821
19835
198418
198516
198630
198738
1988108
1989111
199087
199178
199270
1993102
1994368
1995603
1996246
1997176
1998236
1999213
2000311
2001173
2002118
2003145
2004116
2005705
2006423
2007615
2008347
2009181
2010261
2011466
2012469
2013271
2014359
2015438
2016377
2017266
2018194
2019149
2020120
202155
202250
202315
202482
202518
20268

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

38% · 180 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and automatic transmission.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

My 2012 Mustang GT was most likely totaled tonight when the transmission did not allow a shift into 5TH gear. It slid into 3RD gear and caused the wheels to spin resulting in the car fishtailing and hitting a tree in the median.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-01-18

Recently started having erratic shifting issues. Will downshift randomly out of nowhere while driving. Sometimes will just be stuck in 1st gear and won’t go anywhere until I pull over and shut off/start up again.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-02-20

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

The transmission down shifted to first gear and the rear tires locked up. Skidding on the highway.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-16

Air bags

34% · 158 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Takata recall - I was at a stoplight during rush hour on a busy city street. The light turned green and before I made it 10 feet the car in front of me slammed on his brakes.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-07-09

Takata recall, my car isn't safe to drive with zero remedy available for recall and cannot sell vehicle for anything near what I paid or what it is worth if problem was fixed, been almost a year and still no remedy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-02

Vehicle speed control

7% · 35 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

In 2012 or 2013 I had an accident caused by unintended acceleration. The Mustang ran into the back of semi truck.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-04-20

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-01

Also filed under Equipment and service brakes

Engine

6% · 30 reports
CRASH

Structure

5% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2011-08-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-12-14 Inability to shift gears on acceleration
  2. ▮
    2012Complaint volume 469 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2012-06-11Exterior lighting, power train12V190000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2016-06-10Air bags15V319000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2016-09-16Power train16V248000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2018-02-14Air bags17V024000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2019-02-13Air bags19V001000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2021-03-17Air bags21E013000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair.

    Remedy: Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2021-03-17Air bags21V081000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 180 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 158 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 35 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12V190000 · Exterior lighting, power train
  • Recall 15V319000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V248000 · Power train
  • Recall 17V024000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V001000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21E013000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21V081000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Ford Mustang reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Ford Mustang is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Mustang?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Mustang have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.