Some 2011-2024 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a tick tap and/or typewriter ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change. It is often referred to as typewriter noise because of its similarity to the sound of a mechanical typewriter. The noise in question may be heard on some engines when engine temperatures reach 150°F (65°C) or higher and engine speed is at idle up to approximately 1700 RPM. It can typically be heard at the front wheel well and is often isolated to the transmission bell housing or oil pan area. The typewriter noise tick rate can be faster or slower and is not detrimental to the engine function or durability and has no short or long t
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Ford Mustang engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Ford Mustang have filed 45 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 71,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
45
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Mustang | 22 |
| 2016 Mustang | 62 |
| 2017 Mustang | 27 |
| 2018 Mustang | 51 |
| 2019 Mustang (this page) | 45 |
| 2020 Mustang | 13 |
| 2021 Mustang | 7 |
| 2022 Mustang | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 45 engine complaints filed for the 2019 Ford Mustang, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 32% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 6 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 45 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may collect on the external surface of a turbocharger, it is extremely rare for a turbocharger assembly to be the root cause of the oil leak. Careful inspection of the turbocharger oil feed and drain tubes should be performed along with the recommended WSM procedures as needed. Warranty claims for turbocharger replacement going forward will be assessed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2018-2023 Mustang vehicles (non-Shelby GT-350) may exhibit various concerns with the active exhaust system. These may include Exhaust Mode Selection Not Available messages, and/or illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostics trouble codes (DTCs) P26C5, P26C6, P26FE, P2BF9, P2BFB, P26C7, P2BF5, P2BF8, P2BFD and/or P2BFA. This may be due to an improperly seated exhaust system. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to diagnose the tailpipe actuator.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2018-2019 Mustang vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine and a manual transmission may exhibit an inability to drive the vehicle in first and/or second gear. This may be due to a broken 1-2 shift fork. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the 1st/2nd shift fork, the mainshaft 2nd gear, and the 1st/2nd gear synchronizer hub and sleeve.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2018-2022 Mustang vehicles (non-Shelby GT-350) may exhibit various concerns with the active exhaust system. These may include Drive Mode Not Available or Exhaust Mode Not Available messages, and/or illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostics trouble codes (DTCs) P26C5, P26C6, P26FE, P2BF9, P2BFB, P26C7, P2BF5, P2BF8, P2BFD and/or P2BFA. This may be due to an improperly seated exhaust system. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to diagnose the tailpipe actuator .
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant failure is coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, documented in Ford TSB 19-2346. Owners report coolant levels dropping without visible external leaks, followed by check engine lights for multiple cylinder misfires, white smoke on cold start, rough idle, and eventually total engine failure. The failure occurs anywhere from 16,600 to 130,000 miles but clusters between 26,000 and 70,000. Dealers uniformly recommend long-block engine replacement ($10,700–$11,000), not head gasket repair, because the root cause is internal—a design flaw in cylinder wall spacing between cylinders 2–3 and defective coolant channels. Spark plug and ignition coil replacements at independent shops initially mask the problem but fail within days.
A secondary issue involves valve train noise and engine lockup, with at least two cases of premature mechanical failure (one at 450 miles) causing grinding sounds and sudden power loss at highway speeds. One owner reports a replacement engine also failed with valve train noise.
Some owners report excessive coolant and oil consumption, fouled spark plugs, and recurring misfires. One head gasket failure occurred at very low mileage (26,000 miles) and required consideration of full block replacement instead of gasket-only repair.
Ford redesigned the EcoBoost engine after 2020, confirming awareness of the defect. A class action lawsuit was filed in June 2025. No recall has been issued, and Ford offers no assistance to out-of-warranty owners.
Same Ford Mustang engine reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Coolant Intrusion into Cylinders
Coolant leaks from the cooling system into the combustion cylinders, causing engine damage, misfires, and eventual failure. Owners report low coolant levels without visible external leaks, white smoke from the exhaust, rough idling, and multiple diagnostic codes for cylinder misfire. Ford TSB 19-2346 documents this failure mode and specifies long-block engine replacement as the only repair. The issue is attributed to a design flaw in cylinder wall spacing between cylinders 2–3, thin coolant channels, and internal engine sealing defects.
When: Between 16,600 and 130,000 miles; most commonly 26,000–70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant level drops without visible external leaks; Check engine light with misfire codes (P0301, P0302, P0304); White smoke from exhaust on cold start; Rough idle and stumbling acceleration; Engine shaking or vibration at idle; Sputtering or loss of power while driving; Difficulty starting the vehicle
Codes mentioned: P0301, P0302, P0304, Cylinder misfire codes
Repairs/costs cited: Long-block engine replacement required; estimated cost $10,700–$11,000. Head gasket replacement alone does not resolve the issue and often fails again. Owners report repairs performed after warranty expiration at their own cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 19-2346 documents coolant intrusion in EcoBoost engines and mandates engine replacement, not gasket repair. Ford redesigned the EcoBoost engine after 2020 to address the defect. No recall issued despite TSB and design change. Class action lawsuit filed June 2025 regarding this defect. Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 referenced in one complaint but details not provided.
Head Gasket Failure
Head gasket fails prematurely, typically due to the underlying coolant intrusion defect or block design flaw. Owners report the gasket failing after replacement due to the root cause remaining unaddressed. One owner notes a thin cylinder wall design between cylinders 2 and 3 as the cause, with poor manufacturing of the engine block contributing to the failure.
When: 26,000–86,000 miles; often within or just outside warranty period
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant leaking into cylinders; White smoke from exhaust; Rough running or misfires; Engine seizing or loss of compression
Codes mentioned: P0301, P0302, P0304
Repairs/costs cited: Head gasket replacement alone fails to resolve the underlying block defect; long-block replacement recommended instead. Costs not explicitly stated for gasket-only repair, but owners report reluctance from dealers to perform the repair due to recurring failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers advise against head gasket replacement and recommend full engine replacement instead. No recall issued.
Valve Train Failure and Engine Lockup
Rocker arms, valves, or valve train components fail, causing grinding noises, engine lockup, and sudden loss of power. One owner reports an engine locked up at highway speed after hearing metallic grinding. A replacement engine provided by the dealer also exhibited valve train noise and was deemed defective.
When: At very low mileage (one case at 450 miles; another at 22,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Metallic grinding or clicking noise from engine; Sudden engine lockup while driving; Loss of power and inability to restart; Loud clicking when idling
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required. One replacement engine also had valve train noise and was replaced again. Repairs not completed in all cases; vehicle remains out of service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers acknowledge the failure and recommend engine replacement. No recall issued.
Engine Detonation and Mechanical Failure
Engine experiences sudden mechanical failure with signs of internal detonation or catastrophic damage. One owner reports a cracked engine block in cylinder 8 with loss of compression; another reports an engine that simply 'blew' and seized after dealer diagnosis found 'nothing wrong.'
When: At variable mileage; one case at low miles with failed diagnosis
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Reduced responsiveness and shaking at idle; Loss of compression in one or more cylinders; Engine block cracking; Complete engine seizure
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required. One owner reports dealer initially cleared codes and advised no issues; engine failed days later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific response documented; owner reports no assistance provided after notification.
Oil Pressure Switch Failure
Oil pressure switch fails prematurely, reporting false high pressure readings (130+ psi) that confuse the engine computer and trigger warning conditions. One owner replaced the factory Ford switch twice in three months.
When: At less than three months apart; no mileage specified
Symptoms owners cite: Erratic oil pressure readings displayed to computer; Computer malfunction due to false sensor signal
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pressure switch replacement. Factory part number: GN1Z-90290-D 1X. Difficult to access; multiple failures noted.
Excessive Coolant and Oil Consumption
Engine consumes coolant and oil at abnormal rates, coupled with spark plug fouling and misfire symptoms. Owner attributes the issue to a known factory defect in the 2.3L EcoBoost design.
When: Ongoing issue; noted at 115,000 miles on well-maintained vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: High coolant consumption; High oil consumption; Spark plug fouling; Check engine light recurring 6,000 miles after spark plug replacement; Shaking and misfiring; Poor acceleration; White smoke from exhaust on cold start
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports typical repairs are head gasket, block, or full engine replacement, but has not completed any repair.
Limp-Mode Misfire and Repeated Sensor/Ignition Part Failures
Engine enters limp mode or fails to accelerate normally, with check engine light illuminating repeatedly for cylinder misfires. Owners report replacing spark plugs and ignition coils multiple times at independent shops before dealer diagnosis reveals coolant intrusion damage requiring engine replacement.
When: Variable mileage; cases reported at 42,000–106,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light for misfire codes; Lack of acceleration on demand; Involuntary deceleration; Vehicle requires restart after pulling over to recover
Codes mentioned: Cylinder misfire codes (P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304)
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs and ignition coils replaced at independent shops; failures recur within days. Dealer ultimately diagnoses coolant intrusion and requires engine replacement. One owner reports $10,728.85 quoted for long-block replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirms the failure is common across similar vehicles. Ford acknowledges the defect via TSB but offers no recall or warranty extension.
Coolant Leak at Coolant Pipe
Coolant leaks from the engine compartment due to a coolant pipe failure, detected when owner washes the vehicle or during routine oil changes.
When: 16,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Visible coolant leak from engine compartment; Low coolant level observed during routine service
Repairs/costs cited: Coolant pipe replacement performed. Battery and oil changes also completed; unknown software update applied.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but offered no assistance.
Synthesized from 45 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
I have taken my vehicle to Ford. Called Ford as well. And when at a stop, and while in drive, my car will lunge/ jerk and if my car was behind a vehicle too close could hit it. I also believe that If a person were in front of the vehicle it could lunge forward into them. I see in google that many 2019 mustang owners have reports this as well. This jerk/ lunge has happened a hand full of times.…
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving or while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was leaking coolant. The contact stated that while washing the vehicle, the contact became aware that coolant was leaking from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the coolant pipe needed to be replaced. The…
Have a 2019 Ford Mustang 2DR 2.3L Ecoboost with 59,500 miles which I took to the dealership with a code P0302 and P0304 present, cylinder misfire, observed coolant level low, performed borescope in cylinder 2 and 4, found coolant intrusion, recommend long block engine replacement which would have cost me $10,728.85. Concern is that the engine can stall suddenly and may cause an accident. Ford…
Ford's 2.3L EcoBoost engine defect that causes coolant to leak into the cylinders, leading to engine failures and potential fire risks.
Blown Head Gasket @ 86,000 miles due to Block defect. Now I have to either pay to replace the Head Gasket with the expectation that it will fail again due to the block defect, or replace the whole defective block.
My 2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 was driving fine until all of a sudden I got a check engine light on the dash. The vehicle was not as responsive as usual and was shaking a little bit at idle. I shut the car off and then had it towed to the Ford dealership for further analysis. After inspection at a dealership it was identified, that my engine had failed. Cylinder 8 would not hold compression…
Purchased just 2 months ago from ford dealer, after 1 week noticed shimming of engine on cold start, next incident overheat warning, filled with radiator fluid, noticed slow lowering of fluid level, next day car would not start at all. Towed to mechanic in which they report blown head gasket and all 4 cylinders damaged. After searching this site I found others had same complaint but no recalls.…
Had engine trouble with your 2019 Ford Mustang?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2019 Ford Mustang?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 45 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 44,000 and 103,000 miles, with the median around 71,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 44,000; a quarter make it past 103,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Ford/Mustang.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.