- Federal safety regulators have dropped a probe into 29,807 2011-'12 Ford Mustangs equipped with manual transmissions after consumer complaints alleging an inability to shift into gear while driving.
- "There is no indication of loss of motive power or unreasonable safety risk associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles," said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- NHTSA said it analyzed data provided by Ford and "364 unique reports indicating various shift quality issues while driving" from consumers.
WASHINGTON — Federal safety regulators have dropped a probe into 29,807 2011-'12 Ford Mustangs equipped with manual transmissions after consumer complaints alleging an inability to shift into gear while driving.
"There is no indication of loss of motive power or unreasonable safety risk associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles," said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a statement on its Web site. "The preliminary evaluation is closed."
NHTSA said it analyzed data provided by Ford and "364 unique reports indicating various shift quality issues while driving" from consumers.
"Ford identified several factors that may contribute to shift quality concerns in the subject vehicles, including cold transmission, clutch stay-out at high engine speeds, gear clash or grinding, and gradual loosening of clutch plate bolts in some early production vehicles," said NHTSA in its defect investigations summary.
It said the largest percentage of complaints indicated higher-than-expected shift efforts in cold ambient temperatures. The complaints "resolved themselves with the drivetrain warming," said NHTSA.
It noted that its analysis also identified "only five complaints alleging an inability to shift into gear due to loose clutch plate bolts.
"A revised fastener was designed and implemented into production and is available for service," NHTSA noted.
Such an investigation can sometimes lead to a recall.
Inside Line says: No recall or any other action as NHTSA drops a federal probe into the 2011-'12 Ford Mustangs with manual transmissions.
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orbit09 says:
11:14 AM, 12/21/2011
While I agree that calling it a "saftey concern" is a stretch there still is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
Just because this investigation is over doesn't mean that the hundreds or possibly thousands of owners having problems with their MT82s every day don't need resolution.
Ignore the morons that insist that the complaintants are inexperienced drivers. They assume that because they had trouble learning to drive a manual the rest of the world did as well. Personally speaking, I've been driving for almost 20 years and this is my 4th 6-speed manual sports car and by far the worst performing transmission I've ever used. I've heard people describe it as precise and slick and I have to wonder if they are high on crack or if my car is actually that bad. I think that I would know what "precise and slick" feels like since I had both a 6MT manual V6 Accord and 8th gen Civic Si that have what are widely seen as the slickest transmissions in the business. Additionally I've also driven multiple 350Zs, STi and EVOs and none were as balky and rough as the MT82 in my Mustang and NEVER has a car I've driven flat out refused to go into gear.
Sure, the cold weather makes it worse, this morning at 37 degrees, 2nd and 3rd were completely locked out (as if there's a wall) but cold weather effort is FAR from the worst symptom many owners are reporting. I'd like to hear why so many people have grinding in 5th gear or why the car won't go into 1st when stopped, or why it started whining like a supercharger, or why it pops out of 1st gear when I start rolling...
This has become a very contentious issue because some people's brand loyalty seems tied to their sense of patriotism which is just ridiculous IMO. It's easy for a moron to dismiss someone that doesn't share their viewpoint but unless there's a whole heap of idiots that have the exact same complaints there really is a problem and Ford needs to step up.
beermagazine says:
08:43 PM, 12/20/2011
I had an Audi that was very difficult to shift into 2nd when it was cold...and not that cold. 40-degrees. It went away when the tranny got warm, but at times it was about a 1-2 second pause in the shift, or you had to grind it in.
Fairly common.
fr680 says:
04:09 PM, 12/20/2011
Has Ford made any improvements or changes to the Mustang MT-82 transmission for the 2013 model year (apart from the hillstart-assist feature)?
fandiesel says:
02:23 PM, 12/20/2011
The NHTSA analyzed 364 unique reports provided by Ford that consumers had various shift quality issues while driving. It would be better if the NHTSA contacted all owners of the GETRAG CHINESE MADE transmission in their MUSTANG. A form that you would fill out with the specific problems and was it corrected by the FORD DEALER or not. Something tells me this ain't going away ! If you paid 30K$ OR 50 K$ all owners should have ZERO SHIFT ISSUES WITH THE MANUAL BOX-----PERIOD ! Just my opinion "the all American MUSTANG should have an all American made transmission". My 4 speed top loader in my 1965 "289" Is still going strong and I mean strong, and 46 years later Ford is using a box that has ISSUES ? ? ? LOL
duck87 says:
12:34 PM, 12/20/2011
@greenpony: That would be five complaints due to clutch plate bolts specifically. But what about the rest of them that are due to cold weather? Anyways, I wouldn't know first hand since I don't own one. If you don't think it's a problem- it's not a problem!
greenpony says:
12:16 PM, 12/20/2011
duck87 says: "As for plummeting values- I say that because who would want to buy a specific model year of a car with a known flaw?" and "Well, from my understanding, in cold temperatures a couple of owners have said that they can't really hit first, second or third in some cases."
The article notes five complaints of not being able to shift into gear. I don't know if that qualifies as a "known flaw" that would drop the resale value of the other MT-equipped Mustangs out there.
saunupe1911 says:
12:15 PM, 12/20/2011
I apologize for the bad grammar. I was typing way too fast lol
saunupe1911 says:
12:14 PM, 12/20/2011
@duck87
There will be an asterisk by the 2011 Mustangs, but I don't their overall value will diminish. This is still hit and miss and people love this cars. I personally don't know anyone with these problems and the 2012 doesn't seem to have the issue at all. Never by a car in its first year. This wouldn't be an issue if Ford just issued a recall and fixed the issue. They don't recall anything, even if its know to be faulty.
For the record, Kelly Blue Book has the 2011 + Mustangs rated as one of their most highest resale values.
ed341 says:
10:59 AM, 12/20/2011
Does that mean the NHTSA now has time to order a recall of Hondas and Acuras with automatic transmissions from V6 cars and V8 powered BMW and Land Rovers that use ZF transmissions?
duck87 says:
10:38 AM, 12/20/2011
@daedalus2: My reading comprehension is fine. The "safety" campaign is done, but that doesn't really address the issues that the Mustang transmission still has- maybe I should have said "technical service bulletin" or something.
As for plummeting values- I say that because who would want to buy a specific model year of a car with a known flaw? It's pretty common to find model years of any vehicle with problems with extremely low resale values. And in the case of Saab's cars still left on the lot (and former Saturns and Pontiacs), their values are GONE.
@greenpony: Well, from my understanding, in cold temperatures a couple of owners have said that they can't really hit first, second or third in some cases. For me, cold manual transmissions sound clunky in the first two gears, and usually refuses to hit first unless you're at a dead stop or put some force into it... but I can still hit all gears easily. It sounds like a severe problem with the Mustang.