What 184 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Mustang Gt350r

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 new engine. The code is reading a misfire into the third cylinder initially which I “fixed” with a tuneup. Turns out, I’ll need an entire new engine.

NHTSA ODI 11588002

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 was illuminated. Additionally, the engine was misfiring. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed engine due to coolant leak into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

NHTSA ODI 11585153

Ecoboost Turbo engine has a known flaw - coolant channels were placed between cylinders that don't allow them to seal properly and this leaks coolant into the engine eventually causing engine failure. FORD corrected this defect in 2020 but did not correct previous customers. As a result I am now being referred by my local dealer to replace the whole engine. I have only had this vehicle for 4 years and have only used 45K miles in that time frame. I have lost power while driving WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I've already spent thousands of dollars on repairs only to find out the issue was the engine and a KNOWN issue that Ford covered up. Ford needs to be held liable for this and they should be responsible for replacing my engine. And the time and money spent attempting to fix this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11568392

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact used a code reader which indicated that a spark plug had caused an engine misfire. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed as a spark plug misfire; however, the dealer determined that the failure was a result of coolant intrusion into cylinder #3. Due to the failure, the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 72,212.

NHTSA ODI 11566520

Coolant leaking in 3rd cylinder causing engine misfires. The vehicle has less than 50K miles on it and shouldn't be having these issues. The shop quoted nearly $5,000 to fix. Many other mustang owners are having this same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11543587

Ecoboost 4 Turbo engine has a known design flaw - coolant channels were placed between cylinders that don't allow them to seal properly and this leaks coolant into the engine eventually causing engine failure. FORD corrected this defect in 2020 but never let customers know. I now have a 5 year old car in immaculate condition that needs a new engine. It doesn't start reliably and I have lost power while driving a few times. I've already spent $1600 on repairs only to find out the issue was the engine and a KNOWN issue that Ford covered up. If I want to repair my car I am responsible for 5K in engine repair. Ford needs to be held liable for this and they should be responsible for replacing my engine.

NHTSA ODI 11541371

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking at start up. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that coolant had leaked into cylinder #3, causing the engine to overheat and caused engine damage. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer who confirmed the failure and replaced cylinder heads on all four cylinders. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11533240

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the purge valve was replaced due to a cylinder #3 misfire; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic, where the fuel pressure sensor was replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the fuel injector needed to be replaced due to a cylinder #2 misfire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 11518230

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the temperature gauge indicated that the vehicle was overheating. The contact then became aware that coolant was leaking out of the exhaust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed him that either the head gasket was blown or there was a hairline fracture in the engine block or the cylinder head. The contact then called the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was covered under warranty and referred him to the local dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where he was then informed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

NHTSA ODI 11514455

My engine started knocking/ticking at around 6,000 miles, shortly after my first oil change. I was aware of the knocking issies, thanks to numerous youtube videos, before i even recieved my special order mustang so i made sure to use the same oil and filter that originally came with my car. Now the car has 18,500 miles on it, the knocking/ticking is getting worse and worse every year and Ford is calling the problem "normal" and refuses to do any repairs. The car has now been unsuccessfully serviced 3 times and should now be placed under the lemon law.

NHTSA ODI 11465990

SO AT COLD START WHEN DRIVING WITHING 1800-2600 I GET THIS RATTLE PISTON SLAP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. I CHECKED FLUIDS NOT LOW ON ENGINE OIL. ONCE ENGINE GETS HOT ITLL STOP. HOWEVER IT DOES INCREASE IF I ACCELERATE. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING NEXT DAY I GOT MY CAR I REALIZED IT.

NHTSA ODI 11318191

I BOUGHT MY FORD MUSTANG ON JUNE 2018. WHEN THE MILES HIT 30,000, THE ENGINE SHAKES EVERY TIME MY VEHICLE STARTS, AND MY WHOLE CAR SHAKES NOTICEABLY WHEN IDLING. THE EXHAUST GAS FLOW FROM THE CAR HAS OBVIOUS INTERMITTENT, MEANWHILE, THE EXHAUST PIPE SHAKES A LOT, AND YOU CAN CLEARLY HEAR THE "BURST" SOUND OR THUMP. IN ADDITION, MY WHOLE CAR HAS OBVIOUS JITTERS AT LOW SPEEDS OF MORE THAN 2,000, AND THE ACCELERATION IS WEAK. WHEN THE SPEED IS HIGH YOU CAN FEEL A LITTLE LESS JITTERY. IT IS NOT JITTERY UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS OF THE ENGINE. WHEN MY AUTO IS ON D OR R, IT DOESN'T MOVE AFTER I RELEASE THE BRAKE. PLUS, THE VARIABLE BOX OCCASIONALLY MAKES A STRANGE NOISE AND VEHICLE COOLANT DOES NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHAT SCARES ME THE MOST IS THAT ONE TIME I WAS DRIVING ON L-595 HIGH WAY, MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AUTOMATICALLY, I TRIED TO RESTART IT BUT FAILED, I WAS PANIC, I HAD TO WAIT FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES ON THE HIGH SPEED ROAD TO TRY TO RESTART THE CAR AGAIN. LUCKILY I PULLED MY CAR IN THE EMERGENCY LANE, I CAN'T IMAGE IF IT WASN'T. AFTER ALL THOSE, I WENT TO MY DEALER AT PLANTATION FL, THEY CAN FIX FOR ME SINCE MY CAR IS STILL UNDER COVERAGE BUT I DON'T WANT GET IT REPAIRED. I DEEPLY DOUBT WHETHER THE REPAIR WOULD COMPLETELY FIX THOSE ISSUES. PLEASE HELP AND ADVICE IF I CAN GET MY CAR RECALLED? I WAS LOOKING FOR A CAR THAT I ALWAYS WANTED BUT NOT HANGING BY A THREAD.

NHTSA ODI 11311847

AT ACCELERATION THE CAR WON'T SHIFT WHEN NEEDED THEN IT'LL AUTOMATICALLY DOWN SHIFT AND STOP ACCELERATING. THE RPM GAGE NEEDLE BOUNCES UP & DOWN WITH & WITH ACCELERATION IMAGED SPEED STILL DECREASES THEN SOMETHING CATCHES AND IT'LL START ACCELERATING & RPM GOING TO HIGH THEN STARTS ALL OVER BEFORE FINALLY WORKING RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11301025

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STALLED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT CALLED THREE DEALERS: LANDMARK FORD (LOCATED AT 12000 SW 66TH AVENUE, TIGARD, OR 97223, 503-639-1131), DICK'S MACKENZIE FORD (LOCATED AT 4151 SE TUALATIN VALLEY HWY, HILLSBORO, OR 97123, 844-424-8102), AND SKYLINE FORD (LOCATED AT 2510 COMMERCIAL ST SE, SALEM, OR 97302, 503-581-2411). NONE OF THE DEALERS COULD DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS24128956. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ODI 11258299

I HAVE THE EXACT PROBLEM AS NHTSA CASE NUMBER 11187080. I BOUGHT IT NEW. NOW HAS ABOUT 11000. HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS AND BOTH HAVE SAID THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND IT OPERATES AS IT SHOULD. I PLAN TO TAKEN IT BACK IN AGAIN AND SHOW THEM THE OTHER NHTSA COMPLAINTS.

NHTSA ODI 11254636

AT 60MPH ON THE FREEWAY, MY 2018 MUSTANG GT WITH 2,000 MILES ON IT BLEW THE ENGINE. MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE WERE POURING OUT THE EXHAUST PIPES AND FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE WAS VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND SOUNDER LIKE A TIN CAN FULL OF NUTS AND BOLTS. GOT THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER BUT MY WIFE AND I WERE SCARED TO DEATH AS CARS WERE WHIZZING BY JUST INCHES AWAY. ACCORDING TO ONLINE CHAT ROOMS A NUMBER OF THESE ENGINES ARE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR FAILURES. A BAD BATCH WAS PRODUCED AND FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THEM. I ASKED FORD TO REPLACE THE CAR WITH A FACTORY INTACT VEHICLE AND THEY DENIED THE REQUEST. THEY SAY ALL THAT IS REQUIRED OF THEM IS TO FIX THE ISSUE. I BOUGHT THE CAR AS A COLLECTORS ITEM AND THIS TAKES AWAY ALL VALUE AS A COLLECTORS CAR. I OFFERED TO SPLIT THE COST OF GETTING A NEW ONE AND THEY SAID NO. I HAVE SUFFERED MONETARY DAMAGE ON THE VALUE. IT'S A DANGEROUS SITUATION HAVING THESE ENGINES BLOW UP. I FEEL FORTUNATE TO HAVE MADE IT THROUGH THE ORDEAL ON THE FREEWAY AND ITS AFTERMATH. THE BACK WHEELS COULD EASILY HAVE LOCKED UP AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11241998

I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS NHTSA CASE NUMBER 11192330

NHTSA ODI 11217597

WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD AND WHEN WARM AND RUNNING UNDER 2000 RPM THE ENGINE MAKES A INCONSISTENT TICKING NOISE WHICH CAN BE HEARD WHILE DRIVING AND AT IDLE. THIS ONLY STARTED AFTER THE FIRST OIL CHANGE WHICH WAS PERFORMED WITH THE RECOMMENDED OIL.

NHTSA ODI 11209598

PURCHASED A 2018 FORD MUSTANG SPORT EDITION AND TWICE NOW ONCE AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 20,000 MILES, I LOSE HALF MY POWER AND THE ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON. FORD HAS HAD MY CAR FOR 4 DAYS AND DOES NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11205946

CAR HAS A LOUD TICKING SOUND ONCE WARMED UP AND AT IDLE. ALSO OCCURS WHEN RPMS ARE BETWEEN 1500-2000. DEALER TOLD ME IT'S THE NEW DIRECT FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS MANY OTHER MUSTANG GT OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND FOUND EVIDENCE OF PISTON SLAP AND SCORING. DEALERSHIP WON'T TAKE INITIATIVE TO FIX OR DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM. PROBLEM ALSO SHOWING UP ON 2019 MODELS. FORD KEEPS DEFLECTING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND DEALERSHIPS WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR CUSTOMERS AND HELP THEM. PLEASE HELP BRING FORD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND FIX THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11192330

AT CERTAIN RPM RANGES THE PISTON CAN BE HEARD SLAPPING THE CYLINDER WALLS, CYLINDER WALL SCORING IS PRESENT AND MAY CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF ENGINE. IT CAN BECOME WORSE DOWN THE ROAD AND CREATE MISFIRES, FROM NO COMPRESSION, ALSO CAN MAKE FOR A VERY LOUD ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE. I HAVE DRIVEN A FEW OF THEM AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SOUND. FORD BUILT THE ENGINES WITH TOO MUCH CLEARANCE BETWEEN PISTONS AND CYLINDER WALLS. ALSO THERE IS A TICKING NOISE AT IDLE THAT FORD CLAIMS IS NORMAL BUT PEOPLE ARE HAVING DAMAGES TO THERE VEHICLES FROM THIS. ATTACHED IS CYLINDER WALL SCORING PHOTOS

NHTSA ODI 11181188

PISTON SLAP NOISE FROM ENGINE. TICKING AND THUDDING NOISE FROM IDLE TO 2500 RPMS. CAN HEAR DIESEL TYPE SOUND INSIDE THE CAR WHEN AT IDLE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH CODE P0300 FOR ENGINE MISFIRE. CAR IS 1 YEAR OLD AND HAS OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. DEALER IS OF NO HELP SAYING ALL THESE ARE NORMAL. MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE CRUISING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I LOST CONTROL OF BRAKES AND STEERING AS THEY WERE EXTREMELY HARD TO MODULATE. FORD AND DEALER ARE OF NO HELP IN RESOLVING THESE ISSUES AND I WORRY FOR MY AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY DRIVING THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11179878

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 80MPH ON A 75 AND A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , THE CAR SHUT OFF AND LOCKED UP AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL. CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP , AND THE ENTIRE BOTTOM END WAS TORN APART AND A FEW ENGINE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE CAR WILL AT RANDOM TIMES SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING , MAIN TIMES IS THE FREEWAY. SECOND ISSUE IS THE CAR HAS LOUD KNOCKING TO THE ENGINE , SOUNDS LIKE A LIFTED KNOCK , THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, AND MY CAR WAS NEXT TO A SAME YEAR MUSTANG TO COMPARE SOUND AND MINE WAS DEFINITELY KNOCKING COMPARED TO THE OTHER MUSTANG. THIRD ISSUE IS THERE IS A CONSTANT SQUEALING SOUND LIKE A LOSE BELT COMING FROM THE BACK SIDE OF THE ENGINE (THIS RECENTLY STARTED) AND THE FOURTH ISSUE IS WHEN I'M COMING DOWN TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN EVEN WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BREAKS THERE IS A METAL CLINGING SOUND THAT DOESN'T STOP UNTIL THE CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR ONLY HAS 17K MILES AND IS NEVER ABUSED , AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED.

NHTSA ODI 11176071

ENGINE HAS A LOUD TICKING SOUND. SOUND LIKE A SLOW TYPEWRITER. I HAVE A A VIDEO WITH THE NOISE.

NHTSA ODI 11161810

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE. THE DEALER (FIVE STAR FORD, 6618 NE LOOP 820, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76180) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500.

NHTSA ODI 11161423