Recall 17V814 affects 2,100 2018 Ford Mustang vehicles for gear-position warning software defects. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 2,100 2018 Mustang vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and a digital instrument cluster because the display and warning chime can fail to alert the driver when the ignition is turned off while the transmission is not in PARK. Without that warning, an owner can exit before securing the car, creating a rollaway risk; Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The instrument cluster in the 2018 Ford Mustang is the screen and gauges in front of the driver. On the affected Mustangs, the issue is tied to the premium 12.4-inch digital cluster on vehicles with an automatic transmission. That cluster is supposed to show the PRNDL gear position and sound the key-in-ignition chime when the driver's door opens with the key still in place.
The problem is software timing inside the cluster. The software checks internal power supply voltage at 10ms after start-up, but that voltage can take 12ms to settle. When the check happens too early, the cluster can treat the park switch signal as invalid. At the next key-off cycle, it can default to the last known PARK state, shut the display down, and skip the chime even when the transmission is not in PARK.
There is no warning sign before failure. What the owner notices is the failure itself: the PRNDL display stays dark and the key-in-ignition chime does not sound after key-off with the shifter outside PARK.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Ford Mustang | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| 2018 Ford Mustang | instrument panel |
| Units affected | 2,100 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
The driver does not get a clear visual or audible warning that the Mustang is in PARK. If the parking brake is not applied after the driver exits, the vehicle can roll away. This raises the risk of injury or a crash. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Ford Mustang is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free instrument-cluster software update that fixes the missing gear-position display and key-in-ignition chime warning.
- Reference recall number 17V814 when you call, and bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one.
- Confirm the transmission is in PARK before exiting the vehicle until the software update is complete.
- Apply the parking brake every time you park until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician checks the 2018 Mustang's digital instrument cluster software and updates it if the recall applies to that VIN. The software update is free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because Ford says the warranty provides a free repair for this concern. Ask the service desk how that warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| December 18, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 18, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| December 22, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 31, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 5, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 5, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V814?
Recall 17V814 covers 2,100 2018 Ford Mustang vehicles with an automatic transmission and 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster. When the ignition is turned off outside PARK, the cluster can fail to show the PRNDL gear position and the key-in-ignition chime. Ford dealers update the instrument cluster software for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Ford Mustang is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Mustang is included in recall 17V814. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the instrument cluster software update. Reference Ford recall number 17C21 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ford dealers will update the instrument cluster software, as needed, free of charge for affected 2018 Mustang vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is vehicle rollaway after the driver exits. If the Mustang is not in PARK and the parking brake is not applied, the missing PRNDL display and chime can leave the driver without a clear warning, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for the PRNDL gear position display failing to illuminate and the key-in-ignition chime failing to sound when the driver's door is opened. Those warning features are part of the issue covered by recall 17V814.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V814000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V814 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V814000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →