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2012 Ford Mustang problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Ford Mustang has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 7safety recalls
- 469owner complaints
- 20crash reports
- 2fire reports
- 17%fail the UK MOT
The most complained-about Ford Mustang year on file: 469 complaints, against an average of 172 for the other 14 model years.
Every Ford Mustang model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
Buying a 2012 Ford Mustang? Get the pre-purchase checklist â
What goes wrong with the 2012 Ford Mustang?
The components named most often in the 469 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 Ford Mustang owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 469 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Fault codes 2012 Ford Mustang owners mention
Diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote in their complaints. Open a code to see what it meant on other cars and whether a recall names it.
Has the 2012 Ford Mustang been recalled?
7 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Air Bags: Frontal: Passenger Side: Inflator Module 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. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
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 bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Air Bags: Frontal: Passenger Side: Inflator ModuleDo not drive 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 (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.
Air Bags: Frontal: Passenger Side: Inflator ModuleDo not drive 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, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
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 of vehicle speed.
Risk: An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.
Air Bags: Frontal: Driver Side: Inflator ModuleDo not drive 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 frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Even if interim repairs were performed under safety recall 14V-802, owners must bring their vehicles in for the final remedy. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S21. Note: This recall supersedes safety recall 14V-802.
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 INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.
Risk: IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE R POSITION AND THE VEHICLE S TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE R MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP ON THE REAR OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, OR MUSTANG VEHICLES MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. THESE CONDITIONS INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK DUE TO THE VEHICLE S NOT SIGNALING IT IS IN REVERSE.
Fix: 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 RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Is the 2012 Ford Mustang recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSATakata air bag inflator may rupture on deployment
UK DVSAFront driver side air bag inflator housing may rupture
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver side frontal airbag the front driver side air bag inflator housing may rupture and deploy the airbag abnormally. An inflator rupture could also result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and fit a revised Airbag Inflator into all affected vehicles.
EU Safety GateThe ammonium nitrate propellant used in the airbag inflator may experience a material alteration over time due to degradation occurringâŠThe ammonium nitrate propellant used in the airbag inflator may experience a material alteration over time due to degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures and high-temperature cycling. In the event of an airbag being deployed, it may underinflate or the excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to rupture and metal fragments may pass through the cushion material causing injury to the occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 20/08/2020
EU Safety GateIn the event of deployment, the front driver side air bag inflator housing may rupture, resulting in metal fragments striking the driverâŠIn the event of deployment, the front driver side air bag inflator housing may rupture, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 28/04/2017
How often does the 2012 Ford Mustang fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2012, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2012 Ford Mustang owners report?
12 of the 469 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
I am the owner of a 2012 Ford Mustang GT currently located in Kuwait. My vehicle has an open Takata airbag safety recall, which is a life-threatening defect. I contacted the authorized Ford dealer in Kuwait and Ford Middle East, but both refused to perform the recall repair, stating that the vehicle is a âgray market importâ and not eligible. They also attempted to condition the repair on paid service, which is unrelated to safety recalls. Additionally, the authorized dealer informed me that my vehicle has a total of four open recalls, not just the Takata airbag recall. Despite this, theyâŠ
I bought the car on Dec 20th 2024. The dealership informed me of the recall and turned off the passenger side airbag. I returned to the dealership as scheduled about 2 weeks later. When I went to pick up my car after work the service center said they couldn't fix the problem because the airbag didn't exist and sent me on my way. I tried calling the sales person but had to leave a message. There has been no other communication.
Speedometer went to zero while driving and seemed to be in neutral. Could not accelerate. Also low fuel warning light came on when I had a full tank. After car was shut off and restarted speedometer seemed fine for about 1 mile, then self accelerated. Now continues to read zero and can not accelerate unless I restart engine.
Transmission seems to lose power while driving, the car will barely pull itself but the rpms increase if I accelerate. This has happened several times while driving and occasionally there are dash lights lighting and speedometer/gas gauge doesnât work but that doesnât happen every time. When it happens I pull over and shut it down and restart and it runs correctly until it happens again! I do a lot of highway driving and the car just âfalling flatâ on a multi-lane highway at 70+ mph is definitely a safety issue! I have taken it to my local fastlane shop and the car was driven but didnâtâŠ
Windshield wipers turn on randomly and will not stay on when switch is on, also sprays washer fluid on windshield randomly and wipers do not work making it a very dangerous driving hazard
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started stalling. The contact pulled over to the side of the road; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission range sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V190000 (Power Train, Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
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. Dangerous because I never know when it will do it. Might seem like everything is fine and then all of a sudden, it downshifts and loses power. Rpmâs rise but car has no power. Have to figure out how to get out of the way. As stated in fordâs â Customer Satisfaction Program 16N02,â my 2012 has all the symptoms and I have DTC code P0731 but dealer refused to service my vehicle becauseâŠ
car stopped accelerating twice on my mustang 7/23/21.first time on the way to work in traffic and then again when I was going to lunch around 11:30.
THE PAINT ON THE HOOD STARTING AT THE SEAM ON THE UNDERSIDE STARTED BUBBLING LIKE IT WAS RUSTING UNDERNEATH AND HAS SPREAD UP & AROUND ON THE TOP OF THE HOOD. THE PAINT IS NOW STARTING TO CRACK AND FALL OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP COLLISION CENTER AND TO AN INDEPENDENT COLLISION CENTER AND BOTH ADVISED THE HOOD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND PAINTED. BOTH ADVISED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND APPEARS TO BE SOME TYPE OF CONTAMINATION THAT OCCURS WHEN THE SEAM IS SEALED. THE QUOTES FOR THIS REPAIR ARE FOR $3400 & $3300. WHILE A 2012, OUR MUSTANG HAS BEEN KEPT UNDER A COVER AND ONLY HAS 24,000âŠ
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SHIFTS DOWN INTO FIRST GEAR ON ITS OWN WHILE THE DASH GOES BLANK AND THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING. IT WILL ALSO SHOW A WRENCH LIGHT AT TIMES.
AIR BAG RECALL AND IAM HAVING A CODE FOR ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY CONTROL ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM WHAT I HEARD BUT MY LOCAL FORD DEALER SAID IT WASNT.
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RACK FAILED SUDDENLY WHILE IN MOTION WITH NO NOTICE
2012 Ford Mustang: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Ford Mustang reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 469 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Mustang; the most common categories were power train (177, 37.7%), air bags (158, 33.7%), vehicle speed control (35, 7.5%). There are 7 safety recalls. 20 complaints mention a crash, 2 mention a fire, 9 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Mustang?
Across 469 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are power train (37.7% of complaints), air bags (33.7% of complaints), vehicle speed control (7.5% of complaints), engine (6.4% of complaints), structure (4.9% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Ford Mustang have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2012 Ford Mustang; the most recent (campaign 21E013000, 2021-02-16) concerns Air Bags: Frontal: Passenger Side: Inflator Module. 3 recalls carry a "do not drive" or "park outside" warning from the manufacturer. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2012 Ford Mustang stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
34 of the 469 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Ford Mustang (7.2%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "Lost power in my 2012 v6 mustang. wrench light came on indicating limp home mode. was able to pull off to the side of road. turned engine off and the it was fine for about two miles then cut off again." (NHTSA complaint 11082382, April 2018). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Does the 2012 Ford Mustang have rust or paint problems?
19 of the 469 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Ford Mustang (4.1%) describe rust, corrosion or peeling paint. One owner wrote: "The paint on the hood starting at the seam on the underside started bubbling like it was rusting underneath and has spread up & around on the top of the hood. the paint is now starting to crack and fall off." (NHTSA complaint 11365868, October 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2012 Ford Mustang?
17 of the 469 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Ford Mustang (3.6%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "While driving, at any spreed, without warning, the engine will just stop driving. the wrench light comes on, and you have to be lucky to not have traffic, as you have to pull over, turn off ignition, and restart. check engine light illuminates. code: p2111." (NHTSA complaint 11110011, July 2018). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Mustang
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved November 2, 2026. Model year 2012 only. How these reports are made.