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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 1
Average Mileage:
30,563 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Ford Mustang drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Ford Mustang Owner Comments (Page 7 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #35

Nov 232011

Mustang 8-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am going to start by saying that I only have 300 miles on my car. The transmission grinds going from first to second and second to third. Sometime second is extremely difficult to get into. I occasionally go into reverse when I was supposed to be in first. I just started noticing a grating sound for the first 5 - 10 min when first started.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #34

Aug 312011

Mustang 8-cyl

  • 10 miles
This vehicle has a shifter that will not retain its position and I believe it is related to the skip shift feature implemented for fuel economy. Commonly it tries to force the shifter from 1st to 4th. As a result the driver ends up fighting the stick shift to get to 2nd. This often results in reduction in speed and a loss of real control of the vehicle and increases the risk of being struck from behind. In virtually every gear at some point I have lost the ability to down shift or up shift creating a driving scenario of real danger and potential of being struck by other motorists. I would say that every day I have driven this car something regarding the shifting has gone wrong. I have been driving a wide variety of manual transmissions for more than 4 decades and this one is grossly defective. In a series of contacts with Ford csc I have received advice on how to correct this that had nothing to do with the actual problem. Originally the dealership indicated that I should contact csc so that they could authorize the dealer to disable the slip shift feature. However the csc at Ford said to contact the dealership and hence the cat chasing its tail began. This shifter, first used in the 2011 version is going to cause a serious injury at some point if this issue is not resolved by the appropriate authorities delegated with the responsibility of correcting this. It is well documented that people are having problems and that Ford is doing nothing to correct it. Please take up this cause before someone is seriously injured or worse.

- Herndon, VA, USA

problem #33

Jun 012011

Mustang

  • 4,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the manual transmission would not shift into first gear. After double clutching and several attempts, it would operate as normal. The contact was concerned that the failure could cause a crash. The dealer performed a fluid swap but the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was operating as normal and offered no further assistance. The current mileage was 17,000 and the failure mileage was 4,000.

- Goodyear, AZ, USA

problem #32

Nov 082011

Mustang 8-cyl

  • 2,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Have filed previously- ODI number: 10432980. While driving tues 11/08/11. Vehicle had a rattling sound in second gear (2nd gear previously replaced at dealership). While accelerating and shifting transmission into 2nd gear, heard and felt a pop. Could not shift out of 2nd gear. I was approaching an intersection at the time. I was able to make it through the intersection and pull over. Could not get it out of 2nd gear even when car was not running. I have detailed receipt of previous repairs.

- Graham, NC, USA

problem #31

Oct 042011

Mustang 8-cyl

  • 6,000 miles
My 2012 Mustang 6 spd manual consistently has trouble shifting to 2nd gear from 1st. Going to 3rd, it would grind. Shifting down from 4th or higher into 3rd, would not shift at high RPM's. turning from 1st to 2rd would grind gears as well. Shifting from 3rd into 4th on acceleration speeds sometimes would not engaged resulting in me having to slow down, impeding other traffic.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #30

Nov 042011

Mustang

  • 560 miles
Merging into traffic car would not shift from third to fourth gear, my wife and I were almost hit from behind, because we could not get the car up to speed.,,this has not been the only time the car would lock up between gears. There is a problem with the transmission on these cars.

- Ona, WV, USA

problem #29

Nov 052011

Mustang 8-cyl

  • 2,700 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Change gears from 3rd to 4th. Clutch pedal stayed on the floor and transmission would not shift. Nearly hit by another car due to sudden loss of acceleration. This has happen 3 times previously.

- Cosby, TN, USA

problem #28

May 162011

Mustang 8-cyl

  • 1,250 miles
Since new the gear changes were difficult to engage, then when miles accumulate it develops unable/very hard to get into first/second/third gears, an incident almost occur when I try to get into first at the green light and other dangerous situations that result on car behind almost rear end me. Ford replace transmission(with same part number) and again at 4300 miles gear changes start to be difficult and transmission whine is present again.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #27

Sep 122011

Mustang 8-cyl

  • 1,000 miles
Shortly after purchasing 2012 GT Mustang (6 speed manual) we starting experiencing transmission issues. 2nd gear had a rattling noise and 5th gear had a significant vibration. County Ford had the vehicle for two weeks performing repairs. They replaced 2nd & 5th gear and I have a long detailed list of repairs on the invoice. I've only driven the car a few times since getting the car back. It's different but I'm not sure its repaired. I feel vibrations in 3rd & 4th gears now and 2nd sometimes grinds when you put it in gear.

- Graham, NC, USA

problem #26

Aug 182011

Mustang

  • 1,200 miles
I have a 2012 Mustang V6 with the getrag MT82 6 speed transmission with the know issue of notchy shifting and sometimes not going into gear. I have been experiencing problems shifting from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd gear. The problem is that it can be very difficult to actually shift gears. There can be a lot of resistance and are times when I have to force the car into gear or skip the gear completely. The transmission is grinding and resisting changing gears. Also, there is a vibration when I let off of the gas while the car is still in gear. And today I felt a grinding while I had the clutch completely depressed. This vibration can and does occur up to 25 times each day during my 40 mile commute. I have stopped by the dealership and inquired about any know issues and was told they are not aware of any. The car has exactly 5000 miles on it. I have owned many other cars with manual transmissions, such as two Honda Accord and 2 Toyota Celica's. these transmission issues are of great concern for my safety, the safety of my wife and the safety of our 4 year old daughter. Dealing with a screaming child is very unpleasant but every parent becomes accustom too (even thought we don, T like it). But having the issue of not being able to shift gears while driving through a busy intersection and dealing with a screaming child is terrifying. Please take a deep look into these concerns. There are plenty of actual videos available to confirm the complaints. Ford has done a terrific job. Just hold them accountable for this flawed transmission. I just want my new car to run safely. Thanks information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Bradenton , FL, USA

problem #25

Oct 032011

Mustang 6-cyl

  • 500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have the mt-82 6 speed manual transmission in my 2012 V6 Mustang. It is very hard to shift into 1st and 2nd gears regardless of ambient temperature. I have driven manual transmissions since I was licenced 15 yrs ago, I have never experienced this kind of hard & grinding shifting from a new/newer vehicle. It's like shifting a 50 year old farm tractor! I have to use excessive force to shift into 1st gear from a stop even with the clutch pedal to the floor; sometimes requiring a "double clutch" just to get it into 1st gear. This extra effort to get into 1st gear from a stop takes my attention and eyes off the road and I have even rolled backwards while fighting the transmission. Then, once moving I have the same problem getting into 2nd gear; again causing me to divert almost all of my attention and eye sight from the road to inside the car getting into 2nd gear. Most shifting into 1st & 2nd gears are accompanied by metal grinding that I can feel and hear. The shifter has popped out of 2nd gear a few times causing the engine to red-line while getting on the freeway. Also, I have almost caused accidents while turning left at intersections fighting the transmission into 2nd gear. I have only experienced this shifting problem in 1st and 2nd gears; 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th shift very smooth for my vehicle. There is also a vibration while decelerating in 2nd and 3rd gears. I can feel it in the shifter handle, steering wheel, seat, and foot pedals. Not only am I disappointed in the shifting problem with my 2012 Mustang with 1,000 miles; I feel it is unsafe to drive.

- French Camp, CA, USA

problem #24

Jun 232011

Mustang 8-cyl

  • 350 miles
6 speed manual transmission, 5.0 liter engine. While under accelleration the transmission "hangs" when shifting from 4th gear to 5th gear. The shift into 5th gear will not occur unless the shift is stopped and started again I.e. shift back to 4th and then to 5th a second time. This of course means that the vehicle is not accellerating, which is problematic when merging in traffic onto a highway or interstate in a metropolitain area. This "hanging" issue has not occurred in any other gear combination I.e. 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd etc. Only 4th to 5th. Since the first occurance this scenario has repeated itself again and again up to 5-6 times per week.

- Imperial, MO, USA

problem #23

Oct 102011

Mustang

  • miles
1st 2nd 3rd shifting problems 2012 Mustang GT 5.0 6 speed.

- New Milford , PA, USA

problem #22

Jun 062011

Mustang 8-cyl

  • 150 miles
Binding shift linkage, unable to shift. Occurred when merging unto freeway and shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear, nearly run into by following traffic, had to coast to shoulder and nearly stop before able to shift into any gear. In addition, the transmission grinds when shifting to 5th gear. The binding linkage has occurred several more times since the initial problem. I am 67 years old and have had many vehicles in my lifetime with similar drivetrains and have not had this type of problem with any of them. I presently own 3 other vehicles with manual transmissions, all floor shifters ( one 4 speed, one 5 speed, and one 6 speed), and they have never had this problem. I believe the linkage and transmission is defective and am returning it to the dealer in the near future for a warranty claim. I have delayed the warranty claim for several reasons, number one: The vehicle is one of six I presently own and it sees very little use and has very low miles on it, number two: I have been able to avoid damage from the grinding by skipping 6th gear, number three: The dealer is not real close to my residence so I have delayed the trip there until logging enough miles to justify an oil change at the time of investigating the grinding and linkage problem.the vehicle was purchased new on 6-1-11 and had approximately 10 miles on the odometer when received by me. The vehicle has the getrag 6 speed transmission. The spacing between gears seems excessively close and may contribute to the problem.

- Perry, MI, USA

problem #21

Jul 102011

Mustang 8-cyl

  • 200 miles
The transmission doesn't want to go into gear when shifting from 2-3 gear at higher RPM's. this has happened numerous times while entering traffic and have had a couple close calls. Took it to Ford dealer with 1200 miles on it and they said it's okay, they are all tight when new and I needed to drive it more to loosen up. Now has 1800 miles and no difference.

- Ruffsdale, PA, USA

problem #20

Oct 122011

Mustang

  • 1,900 miles
Was turning left at approximately 35 mph to get onto hwy on ramp. Had clutch in on manual transmission and stick in "out of gear" position during turn in anticipation of dropping to lower gear to gain acceleration. Was unable to put stick into 5th gear after three attempts - seemed "locked out" of gear. No grinding noises like the clutch wasn't in; just like the gear slot didn't exist. I released the clutch and pushed it back in and was finally able to get the transmission into 5th gear.

- Alton, IL, USA

problem #19

Oct 072011

Mustang 8-cyl

  • 9,111 miles
I was driving to California to visit my good friend [xxx]. I was at a stop light trying to turn left and I heard a crunch or whine. It's probably from my car or my wife is munching on a oreo or whining again. Try my hardest to put in gear and I was locked out of 2nd and 3rd gear. Someone driving a crappy titan almost rear ended me because of that. This MT82 transmission is total junk, I wish I bought a automatic like 2006fan. I rather let people laugh at me for driving automatic than this. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Scranton , PA, USA

problem #18

Oct 042011

Mustang 8-cyl

  • 2,000 miles
My GT was shifting perfect for 2000 mile. One day I went to afm and everyone said my transmission is pos and will fail. What do you know. Just 2 days later I almost run over my neighbor because I was not able to get into gear. I have 2 other friends with 2011 gts, cbatty and 06gtfan. They have to cry themselves to sleep at night because their car grinds and whines. Ford is not doing anything to help them. Sigh.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #17

Jun 012011

Mustang 8-cyl

  • 500 miles
Vehicle recently taken to Ford dealer for the following complaints.... complaints: 1.) there is always a sensation of "crunching" when up-shifting or down-shifting into 1st, 2nd & 3rd gears. Sometimes it's really bad, sometimes not so bad. 2.) it can be difficult to up-shift or down-shift into 1st, 2nd & 3rd gears. This is most common going into 2nd gear. 3.) on occasion, it is totally impossible to up-shift into 2nd gear. This is not under a "skip-shift" situation (engine RPM greater than 3000). 4.) occasionally there is a significant "clunk" which can be heard & felt in the cabin, most noticeable when engaging/disengaging the clutch at a steady, low engine RPM. Notes: A.) none of the items are more or less evident if car is "cold" or "warmed up". B.) all concerns above have been noted since ~500 miles. C.) all items seem to be getting more prominent as miles increase. D.) vehicle is not driven aggressively - all concerns occur at 3,500 RPM or less. E.) I have owned & driven manual transmission vehicles continuously for 45 years. Dealer inspection results of 10/03/2011: No problems noted.

- Itasca, IL, USA

problem #16

Sep 272011

Mustang 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 300 miles
I have a 6 speed manual transmission. It will not go into 2nd gear sometimes and when it does it's notchy and clunky (sometime it's smooth but rare). Under harder acceleration it will not go into 2nd gear at all. It does not grind or anything. It just won't go in. It's like hitting a wall. I've had this happen to me several times on the street and highway.

- Olathe, KS, USA

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