2012 Ford Mustang
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 4 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 18 |
| 1985 | 16 |
| 1986 | 30 |
| 1987 | 38 |
| 1988 | 108 |
| 1989 | 109 |
| 1990 | 85 |
| 1991 | 77 |
| 1992 | 69 |
| 1993 | 101 |
| 1994 | 356 |
| 1995 | 602 |
| 1996 | 246 |
| 1997 | 176 |
| 1998 | 236 |
| 1999 | 213 |
| 2000 | 311 |
| 2001 | 173 |
| 2002 | 118 |
| 2003 | 143 |
| 2004 | 116 |
| 2005 | 705 |
| 2006 | 422 |
| 2007 | 615 |
| 2008 | 347 |
| 2009 | 181 |
| 2010 | 260 |
| 2011 | 466 |
| 2012 | 469 |
| 2013 | 271 |
| 2014 | 356 |
| 2015 | 434 |
| 2016 | 367 |
| 2017 | 260 |
| 2018 | 184 |
| 2019 | 141 |
| 2020 | 113 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 70 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
34% of complaints: air bags — 158 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20190709
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, 20171202
33% of complaints: power train — 157 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow 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, 20120118
Recently started having erratic shifting issues. Will downshift randomly out of nowhere while driving. Sometimes will just be stuck in 1st gear and wonât go anywhere until I pull over and shut off/start up again.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240220
The transmission down shifted to first gear and the rear tires locked up. Skidding on the highway.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231116
7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 35 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20190420
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, 20120501
Recently started having erratic shifting issues. Will downshift randomly out of nowhere while driving. Sometimes will just be stuck in 1st gear and wonât go anywhere until I pull over and shut off/start up again.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240220
6% of complaints: engine — 30 distinct reports on file.
CRASH4% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
Inability to shift gears on acceleration
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 S
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 RELATIONS
Campaign 12V190000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 15V319000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 16V248000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V024000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 19V001000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 21E013000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 21V081000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (158 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (157 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (35 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 12V190000 (exterior lighting, power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V319000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V248000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V024000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V001000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21E013000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V081000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 air bags, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Mustang have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.