NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 6 recalls, 469 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Ford Mustang.
18–23 mpg combined
10.2–13.1 L/100km
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Powertrain and airbag complaints dominate what owners report for the 2012 Ford Mustang. On the powertrain side, owners frequently describe shifting problems, difficulty downshifting into first and reverse, hesitation, and in some cases the vehicle appearing to drop into neutral while moving. A recurring speedometer complaint ties in here: owners report the gauge dropping to zero while driving, the engine losing acceleration response, and normal readings returning only after restarting, sometimes briefly before the problem repeats. The airbag category draws nearly as many complaints, with owners describing concerns about whether airbags are present or functioning as expected. Vehicle speed control complaints are the third-most reported area, with owners describing unintended acceleration or surges. The speedometer-and-acceleration pattern, zero reading, no throttle response, restart required, shows up across multiple reports and tends to be described as a recurring issue rather than a one-time event.
469
Total Complaints
20
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
9
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Ford Mustang has 6 recalls, the most serious being a Takata airbag inflator defect where the passenger-side and driver-side frontal airbag inflators can rupture during deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin and causing serious injury or death.
Multiple filings cover the same underlying inflator problem from different angles. On the passenger side, the inflators in certain vehicles are prone to rupture during airbag deployment, scattering sharp metal fragments toward occupants. The driver-side inflator carries the same risk: moisture can work its way into the inflator over time, and when the airbag fires in a crash, the inflator can burst and throw metal shards toward the driver or anyone else in the vehicle. Some of these filings are specifically scoped to vehicles registered in high-humidity states and territories, including Florida, Texas, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, where prolonged moisture exposure accelerates the deterioration.
On the drivetrain side, the automatic transmission can unexpectedly drop into first gear at any speed without warning. When this happens, the vehicle decelerates sharply and the rear tires can lock up or skid, creating a serious crash risk, particularly at highway speeds where the sudden slowdown is completely unanticipated by the driver or anyone following behind.
At a glance
What can fail
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The driver or passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the air bag module and replace the module or inflator if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breaking down after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost. Ford will mail recall notices and notify owners when parts are available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The automatic transmission may unexpectedly downshift to first gear at any speed, which can cause loss of vehicle control.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software at no cost to fix the transmission downshift issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Moisture can enter the dual-stage driver frontal air bag inflator, causing it to rupture over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.