Model year
2012 Ford Mustang
NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 469 complaints for the 2012 Ford Mustang (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). 3 recalls marked do not drive. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (158), POWER TRAIN (157), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (35). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated the 2 DR RWD 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 18–23 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,900–$4,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 311 complaints
- 2001 173 complaints
- 2002 118 complaints
- 2003 145 complaints
- 2004 116 complaints
- 2005 705 complaints
- 2006 424 complaints
- 2007 615 complaints
- 2008 347 complaints
- 2009 181 complaints
- 2010 261 complaints
- 2011 466 complaints
- 2012 469 complaints
- 2013 271 complaints
- 2014 359 complaints
- 2015 438 complaints
- 2016 380 complaints
- 2017 268 complaints
- 2018 196 complaints
- 2019 151 complaints
- 2020 120 complaints
- 2021 55 complaints
- 2022 50 complaints
- 2023 15 complaints
- 2024 84 complaints
- 2025 19 complaints
- 2026 8 complaints
Recalls
21V081000 · Feb 16, 2021
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air…
19V001000 · Jan 7, 2019
Do not driveAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 Northern Mariana Islands…
17V024000 · Jan 10, 2017
Do not driveAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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, Puerto Rico, American Samoa,…
16V248000 · Apr 27, 2016
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless…
15V319000 · May 28, 2015
Do not driveAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver…
12V190000 · May 3, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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 SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER…
Complaints
469 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 20, fire flag on 2, injury field 9, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE11024 | Inability to shift gears on acceleration · POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | Aug 3, 2011 | Dec 14, 2011 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 DR RWD | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 · possibility 0.087 | NHTSA photo |
| C RWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 5 · possibility 0.087 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mustang · 3.7L · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 30 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Mustang · 3.7L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Mustang · 5L · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Mustang · 5L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Mustang · 5.4L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 23 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
| Mustang Convertible · 3.7L · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 29 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Ford Mustang at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.