Fans of the Ford Mustang got some excellent news this year: the pony car would return for its seventh generation. Better yet, it would be a love letter to the muscle cars of recent history with a non-hybrid naturally aspirated V8 right off the assembly line. However, there’s an issue with the 2024 Mustang’s transmission options, and fans are already displeased. Although the sinister Dark Horse packs a Tremec manual transmission, the new Mustang GT’s manual is a Getrag unit with a potential for problems, just like the first MT82s. 

What transmission does the new 2024 Mustang have?

Unfortunately for EcoBoost fans, the new seventh-gen Ford Mustang goes without a traditional manual transmission on the EcoBoost trims. Instead, the 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder Mustangs offer a 10-speed automatic transmission. Don’t fret, though; the 10-speed is a reliable unit compared to the optional six-speed manual transmission in the V8-powered GT. 

While the Getrag in the latest Mustangs is a smooth-shifting six-speed manual transmission and is stout enough to handle the GT’s horsepower, it has its problems. According to MotorTrend, previous iterations of the Ford Mustang had defective Getrag manual transmissions that led to “premature internal wear, increased shift efforts, inability to drive, and eventually suffers a catastrophic failure.” As a result, irritated Mustang owners initiated a lawsuit covering both the Getrag MT82 and the subsequent MT82-D4. 

What other transmission options are there?

In addition to a Getrag six-speed manual transmission, Ford offers a 10-speed automatic for the GT and EcoBoost. That transmission will return the highest fuel economy figures and the quickest acceleration times. Still, if you want the best of the bunch, the new track-focused Dark Horse will feature a familiar Tremec TR-3160 six-speed manual transmission, like the one in the discontinued Shelby GT350. However, it looks like the 2024 Mustang GT’s manual transmission option will be another Getrag unit.

Are Getrag manual transmissions good?

Getrag transmissions have a long history of quality construction. For instance, Getrag manual transmissions were dependable units in BMW’s E30 and E36 generation 3 Series cars. Those vehicles are famous not just for their tunability but also for their sports sedan credentials. However, the latest Getrag transmissions in the 2011 and newer Mustangs are Chinese-built cost-saving units. 

What year Mustang has the Getrag MT82?

Ford installed the Getrag MT82 in manual-optioned Ford Mustangs from 2011 to 2017 and an updated MT82-D4 in the 2018 and newer cars. The MT82 replaced a Tremec-built 3650 five-speed manual transmission in earlier S197-generation cars. However, while the Tremec had its issues, the Getrag unit exposed owners to grinding and shifting issues as well as premature wear. Unfortunately, Ford tapped Getrag yet again for a cost-saving manual transmission option in the 2024 Mustang GT. 

Should you reconsider the 2024 Ford Mustang?

While many Mustang owners had issues with the Getrag MT82 and MT82-D4, it didn’t stop them from keeping their Mustangs. The upcoming seventh-gen Ford Mustang will likely be the same. The Getrag-sourced transmission might be a much smoother operation in the new pony car. Either way, if you’re not excited about the six-speed in the GT, the Dark Horse will carry over the track-ready Tremec transmission from the Shelby GT350 and Mach 1. 

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