2020 Ford Mustang Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 25 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Ford Mustang, 21% of its 120 total complaints. Owners report jerking, gear slippage, stalling, and shift solenoid failures, with a median failure mileage of 13,461.5 miles. One related recall (22V382000) covers a PCM software issue on 5.0L manual-transmission cars.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 25
- 21% of 120
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 13,462 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Vehicle jerks and shakes uncontrollably at highway speed, sometimes forcing the driver to pull over.
- 10-speed automatic slips out of first gear after sitting overnight, then revs high before slamming into the next gear.
- Transmission fails to shift into 2nd gear and stalls mid-turn, in one case traced to a shifted clutch fluid line.
- Intermittent loss of throttle paired with a wrench warning light, requiring the engine to be shut off and restarted to clear.
- Transmission fluid leaks and overheating reported, in one case with smoke while exiting the interstate.
- Shift solenoid gets stuck, leaving the car unable to move despite the engine revving.
When 2020 Ford Mustang transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 15, 2020, latest Sep 15, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2020 Ford Mustang
- NHTSA 22V382000May 27, 2022Transmission & Powertrain25,032 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may broadcast an unintended faulted signal to the modules controlling the reverse camera, reverse light, and driver assist features, which may disable all of these functions.
Risk: A rearview camera or reverse light that is disabled reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Disabled driver assist features (traction control, forward collision warning, blind spot warning, cross traffic indicator) may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 15, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S37.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Mustang model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are transmission problems on the 2020 Ford Mustang?
- NHTSA has logged 25 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Mustang, which is 21% of all 120 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2020 Ford Mustang?
- Yes. Recall 22V382000, reported May 27, 2022, covers 2019-2020 Mustangs with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions where the PCM could send a faulted signal; dealers update the PCM software free of charge.
- At what mileage do 2020 Mustang transmission problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2020 Mustang is 13,461.5 miles.
- Have transmission issues caused crashes or injuries in the 2020 Mustang?
- NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2020 Mustang shows 2 crashes and 2 injuries, with no fires reported.