FaultScore

FaultScore report

2001 Ford Mustang GT problems

Owners have filed 78 complaints about the 2001 Ford Mustang GT with NHTSA between 2002 and 2018. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 11 worst.

D

FaultScore 66/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford Mustang GT.

How this is worked out

The numbers

78

Complaints

14

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

10

Injuries reported

4 complaints report a death.

48,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

30%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 51 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 51 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 51
Against the median year of the Ford Mustang GT. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
35.9% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 51
30% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2001 compares with every other Ford Mustang GT

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2001 Ford Mustang GT

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 15 19.2%

Median failure at 69,500 miles

Median failure at 63,000 miles

Brakes 8 10.3%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 25,000 mi

Airbags 7 9.0%

5 crashes, 0 fires · median 39,886 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 6 7.7%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 24,250 mi

Seat Belts 5 6.4%

Median failure at 48,000 miles

Steering 5 6.4%

3 crashes, 0 fires

Suspension 4 5.1%

Median failure at 51,500 miles

Body & Structure 4 5.1%

Median failure at 37,000 miles

Electrical System 4 5.1%

Median failure at 34,124 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 3 3.8%

Median failure at 6,000 miles

Lights 3 3.8%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 1.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Equipment & Accessories 1 1.3%

Median failure at 48,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 1.3%

Median failure at 155,000 miles

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Engine 6 22.2%
Frontal 5 18.5%
Filler Pipe AND CAP 3 11.1%
Frame AND Members 3 11.1%
Manual Transmission 3 11.1%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 3 11.1%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 2 7.4%
Rear 2 7.4%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 1.9%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 8 14.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 1.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 19 35.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 14 25.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 5 9.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 4 7.4%
150,000+ miles 2 3.7%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Mar 2002 peak 6 May 2018

NHTSA investigations into the 2001 Ford Mustang GT

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

DP05005 Opened 22 Sep 2005 Closed 4 Jan 2006 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN A...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 40,000 miles Clarksville, IN Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG GT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A DOG IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED INTO THE GRASS, ROLLED OVER TWICE, AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED KNEE INJURIES AND AN INJURED BACK. HE HAS NOT YET SEEN A DOCTOR. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AND VIDEO FOOTAGE AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10214724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pasadena, CA Crash

POWER TRAIN

ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2001 FORD MUSTANG BULLITT MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED BECAUSE 3 GEAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE WITH EASE OR IT WOULD SLIP.. EVER SINCE THE SHIFTING OF GEARS HAS DETERIORATED.. ALSO THE REAR LEAKS FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE ACCESS NUT SEEMS TO COME LOOSE AND LEAK WITH OUT A CAUSE, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR NUT AND OIL WERE THE DRIVELINE MEETS THE REAR AXLE. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT THE CAR IN 1ST OR IN REVERSE SOME TIMES AND WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST 2ND AND 3RD THE GEARS STICK OR SLIP. I HAD A NUMBER OF ISSUES SINCE DAY ONE WITH THIS CAR AND IT SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN THE SHOP THE FIRST TWO YEARS I OWED IT AND SAT FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR DUE TO MECHANICAL PROBLEM THERE AFTER. I WAS REAR ENDED ONCE WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN BECAUSE THE CAR SLIPPED OUT OF SECOND GEAR LUCKILY THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO ONLY LEAVE HIS LICENSE PLACE SCREWS IMPRINTED IN MY REAR BUMPER AND NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT JUST STUNNED AND FRIGHTENED.

NHTSA complaint #10202259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pasadena, CA Crash

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2001 FORD MUSTANG BULLITT MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED BECAUSE 3 GEAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE WITH EASE OR IT WOULD SLIP.. EVER SINCE THE SHIFTING OF GEARS HAS DETERIORATED.. ALSO THE REAR LEAKS FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE ACCESS NUT SEEMS TO COME LOOSE AND LEAK WITH OUT A CAUSE, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR NUT AND OIL WERE THE DRIVELINE MEETS THE REAR AXLE. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT THE CAR IN 1ST OR IN REVERSE SOME TIMES AND WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST 2ND AND 3RD THE GEARS STICK OR SLIP. I HAD A NUMBER OF ISSUES SINCE DAY ONE WITH THIS CAR AND IT SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN THE SHOP THE FIRST TWO YEARS I OWED IT AND SAT FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR DUE TO MECHANICAL PROBLEM THERE AFTER. I WAS REAR ENDED ONCE WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN BECAUSE THE CAR SLIPPED OUT OF SECOND GEAR LUCKILY THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO ONLY LEAVE HIS LICENSE PLACE SCREWS IMPRINTED IN MY REAR BUMPER AND NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT JUST STUNNED AND FRIGHTENED.

NHTSA complaint #10202259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pasadena, CA Crash

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2001 FORD MUSTANG BULLITT MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED BECAUSE 3 GEAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE WITH EASE OR IT WOULD SLIP.. EVER SINCE THE SHIFTING OF GEARS HAS DETERIORATED.. ALSO THE REAR LEAKS FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE ACCESS NUT SEEMS TO COME LOOSE AND LEAK WITH OUT A CAUSE, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR NUT AND OIL WERE THE DRIVELINE MEETS THE REAR AXLE. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT THE CAR IN 1ST OR IN REVERSE SOME TIMES AND WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST 2ND AND 3RD THE GEARS STICK OR SLIP. I HAD A NUMBER OF ISSUES SINCE DAY ONE WITH THIS CAR AND IT SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN THE SHOP THE FIRST TWO YEARS I OWED IT AND SAT FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR DUE TO MECHANICAL PROBLEM THERE AFTER. I WAS REAR ENDED ONCE WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN BECAUSE THE CAR SLIPPED OUT OF SECOND GEAR LUCKILY THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO ONLY LEAVE HIS LICENSE PLACE SCREWS IMPRINTED IN MY REAR BUMPER AND NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT JUST STUNNED AND FRIGHTENED.

NHTSA complaint #10202259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,000 miles Lake Havasu City, AZ 3 injured

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

2 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, I HAD REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE AND TRANS AND REAR-END. THEY KNEW ABOUT IT, BUT SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE TO WORK ON A SELEEN, WHICH THAT IS WHAT I WAS TOLD I WAS BUYING AT THE TIME. COME TO FIND OUT IT IS NO. BIG DIFFERENCE IN PRICE. ON OR ABOUT FEB 15TH 2006 THE ENGINE BLEW, I HAD PARKED IT IN THEIR PARKING LOT. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR A TOTAL OF 45 DAYS. STILL NO TRANS WORK OR REAR-END, THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK IN 30 DAYS. ADDING ON THE LINKAGE WAS DAMAGED WHEN THEY HAD IT. I HAD TO PAY OTHER SHOP TO FIX. ALONG WITH ENGINE PROBLEMS, ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. SINCE JUNE OF 2006 MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 10 TIMES , TOTALING 55 MORE DAYS. RENTAL CAR COST OVER 2500.00 AND TIME AND MENTAL ANGUISH . LUZZI REFUSED ME THE 2ND TIME ENGINE BLEW BECAUSE THE FACT I AM MARRIED TO DAVID HARDING. HE IS NOT ON ANY CONTRACT WITH ME. THEY REFUSE TO DO ANY WARRANTY WORK ON THE ENGINE THEY INSTALLED 9 MONTHS AGO. I PAID FOR A WARRANTY WITH THEM FOR 1800.00 AND I WAS CANCELLED BECAUSE OF THE MONEY ALREADY PAID FOR THE CAR. 10 MONTHS , WHERE'S THE OTHER 2 YEAR PRORATED FEES? THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

NHTSA complaint #10182716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,000 miles Lake Havasu City, AZ 3 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, I HAD REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE AND TRANS AND REAR-END. THEY KNEW ABOUT IT, BUT SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE TO WORK ON A SELEEN, WHICH THAT IS WHAT I WAS TOLD I WAS BUYING AT THE TIME. COME TO FIND OUT IT IS NO. BIG DIFFERENCE IN PRICE. ON OR ABOUT FEB 15TH 2006 THE ENGINE BLEW, I HAD PARKED IT IN THEIR PARKING LOT. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR A TOTAL OF 45 DAYS. STILL NO TRANS WORK OR REAR-END, THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK IN 30 DAYS. ADDING ON THE LINKAGE WAS DAMAGED WHEN THEY HAD IT. I HAD TO PAY OTHER SHOP TO FIX. ALONG WITH ENGINE PROBLEMS, ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. SINCE JUNE OF 2006 MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 10 TIMES , TOTALING 55 MORE DAYS. RENTAL CAR COST OVER 2500.00 AND TIME AND MENTAL ANGUISH . LUZZI REFUSED ME THE 2ND TIME ENGINE BLEW BECAUSE THE FACT I AM MARRIED TO DAVID HARDING. HE IS NOT ON ANY CONTRACT WITH ME. THEY REFUSE TO DO ANY WARRANTY WORK ON THE ENGINE THEY INSTALLED 9 MONTHS AGO. I PAID FOR A WARRANTY WITH THEM FOR 1800.00 AND I WAS CANCELLED BECAUSE OF THE MONEY ALREADY PAID FOR THE CAR. 10 MONTHS , WHERE'S THE OTHER 2 YEAR PRORATED FEES? THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

NHTSA complaint #10182716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 70,000 miles Zebulon, NC

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WAS LOSING A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL EVERY TIME I FILLED UP. THE LEAK STARTS IMMEDIATELY UPON TURNING ON THE FUEL NOZZLE. I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING A CHECK FUEL CAP WARNING AND A LOW PRESSURE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS HAS CAUSED THE CAR TO NOT START AND SEVERAL BACKFIRES WHEN IT DOES TURN OVER. THERE IS ALSO FUEL LEAKING DIRECTLY ONTO MY EXHAUST PIPE AT EVERY FILL UP WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THIS LEAK WAS CAUSED BY THE PLASTIC COVER OVER THE METAL FILLER NECK. MOISTURE AND DIRT CAUGHT IN THE PLASTIC CAUSED THE METAL TO ERODE AND BREAK A PART.

NHTSA complaint #11093469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 155,000 miles Rialto, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DRIVING ON FREEWAY SUDDENLY CAR GOT HOT SO I SLOWED DOWN GOT INTO SLOW LANE THEN SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART ENGINE SEIZED.

NHTSA complaint #10588468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 155,000 miles Rialto, CA

ENGINE

DRIVING ON FREEWAY SUDDENLY CAR GOT HOT SO I SLOWED DOWN GOT INTO SLOW LANE THEN SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART ENGINE SEIZED.

NHTSA complaint #10588468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Rialto, CA

ENGINE

WHILE ON FREEWAY CAR STARTED SMOKING SO I EXITED FREEWAY WHEN CAR STALLED AND WOULDN'T RESTART. HAD TO TOW BACK TO CAR LOT WHERE I PURCHASED CAR 3 DAYS PRIOR. PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD A CRACK.

NHTSA complaint #10588467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles Rehoboth Beach, DE

SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELT ON PASSENGER SIDE ALWAYS RETRACTED SLUGGISHLY SINCE NEW, OFTEN JUST HANGING LOOSELY FROM THE UPPER HANGER. THEN IT WOULD RETRACT WITH HELP. FINALLY IT JAMMED AND WILL NOT RELEASE IN ORDER TO CONNECT THE BELT FOR USE. WHEN AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO USE THE BELT, I HEAR A METALLIC CLUNK AND THE BELT WILL NOT COME OUT FAR ENOUGH TO USE.

NHTSA complaint #10548138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Margate, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE SPARK PLUGS SHOT OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10453001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,781 miles Cranston, RI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I JUST HAD TO PAY APPROX $700 TO REPLACE MY INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH CRACKED AND CAUSED A COOLANT LEAK. UPON FIXING THIS ISSUE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A FORD RECALL A FEW YEARS AGO. SEEING AS THIS PART HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED ON MY VEHICLE, I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS RECALL AND WHAT CAN BE DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10447372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,000 miles Coconut Creek, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPARK PLUG EXPLODED OUT OF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10438694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

S # 1 SPARKPLUG EJECTED FROM HEAD UPON ENGINE START-UP.

NHTSA complaint #10430582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles West Seneca, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL NECK OF 2001 MUSTANG GT RUSTED THROUGH BENEATH A PLASTIC BLACK SHEET POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF ROAD SALT BUILD UP. THIS LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE AND EMISSION CODE FAILURE DUE TO LOW TANK PRESSURE. THE FUEL NECK AND FUEL NECK GASKET WERE CHANGED.

NHTSA complaint #10399888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,373 miles Kapolei, HI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

ENGINE IDLES ABOUT 3000 RPM AT START UP UNTIL ENGINE IS SHUT OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10374805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,373 miles Kapolei, HI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE IDLES ABOUT 3000 RPM AT START UP UNTIL ENGINE IS SHUT OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10374805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Louisville, KY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

A LOUD FOG HORN SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. RAISED RPM HELPED TO REDUCE OR STOP NOISE. THE ABS LIGHT (AMBER) COMES ON AND DISENGAGES THE TRACTION LOC FOR THE REAR END (DRIVE WHEELS). OVER A PERIOD OF APPROX. 1 MONTH THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON WITH TRACLOC DISENGAGED. I GOT THE SYSTEM CHECKED AND THEY STATED NO ELECTRIC SIGNAL IS COMING OUT OF THE CONTROL MODULE BUT POWER IS GOING IN. I WAS TOLD FOR A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS I SHOULD TAKE IT TO FORD BECAUSE THERE ARE 2 ITEMS THAT COULD BE REPLACED AND IT COULD BE $2600.00 OR MORE.

NHTSA complaint #10361861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,000 miles Howell, MI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL PUMP BREAKS FREE FROM IN-TANK ATTACHMENT POINT RESULTING IN FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR MALFUNCTION AND FUEL STARVATION WHEN CORNING, ACCELERATION OR ABRUPT DECELERATION. CAUSES UNEXPECTED LAG IN ACCELERATION OR VEHICLE MAY STALL AT INOPPORTUNE TIMES. SINCE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY BY FORD THE FUEL SENDER IN THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED/REPLACED 2 ADDITIONAL TIMES. DEALERSHIP NOTED THAT THE PLASTIC RING SENDER ATTACHES TO CRACKS AND ONLY WAY TO REPAIR IS TO REPLACE ENTIRE FUEL TANK AT COST OF APPROX $900. MOST RECENT 2 REPLACEMENTS OCCURRED OUTSIDE OF EXTENDED WARRANTY BY A FEW DAYS AND FORD REFUSED TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED OVER THE WINTER AND ISSUE WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL VEHICLE CAME OUT OF STORAGE AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. REPAIR HAD OCCURRED IN FALL BEFORE VEHICLE WENT INTO STORAGE. EACH TIME FUEL TANK IS REPLACE RING CRACKS AGAIN, USUALLY WITHIN 30-90DAYS. THIS IS A HAZARD AS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WILL EXPERIENCE FUEL STARVATION OR STALLING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN ACCIDENT OR INJURY OUTSIDE DRIVERS ABILITY TO AVOID.

NHTSA complaint #10342866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Chesapeake, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10320463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Viola, TN

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, WHEN THE CONTACT OBSERVED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR SYSTEM FAILED TO EXTRACT THE WEBBING PROPERLY. THE WEBBING DOES NOT SECURE THE OCCUPANT TIGHTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO BROKEN PLASTIC PARTS WITHIN THE RETRACTOR SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #10320256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ringoes, NJ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SINCE IT HAS GOTTEN COLDER, THE CAR START AND YOU HAVE TO SIT WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL FOR 5 OR 10 MINS OR THE CAR WILL STALL OUT WHEN YOU TRY TO PUT OUT OF WHERE EVER YOU ARE. DANGEROUS! MECHANIC CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM, THEY THINK ITS A SENSOR BUT ARE NOT SURE.

NHTSA complaint #10288809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Clarksville, TN

SEAT BELTS

DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT KEEPS TANGLING WITHIN THE TRIM PANELS PREVENTING PROPER DEPLOYMENT OR RETRACTION OF THE BELT. I HAD TO REMOVE THE TRIM PANELS AND MANUALLY TWIST THE BELT THROUGH THE B POST GUIDE TO STRAIGHTEN, AS WELL UNDOING AND REDOING THE ANCHOR BOLTS ON THE B POST AND DRIVER LOWER DOOR SILL SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10248007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 93,600 miles Milton, DE

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WHEN I FILLED MY CAR WITH GAS IT STARTED TO OVERFLOW OUT OF THE TOP THROUGH THE GAS CAP AREA AND POUR OUT OF THE BOTTOM. I HAD MY FATHER CHECK IT ABOUT AN HOUR LATER WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND HE COULDN'T FIND A LEAK. WE DETERMINED THE AUTOMATIC STOP ON THE PUMP MUST HAVE FAILED. I WENT TO PUT $20 OF GAS IN IT TWO DAYS AGO AND ONCE AGAIN IT WAS POURING OUT OF THE BOTTOM. SINCE I DIDN'T FILL IT UP THIS TIME, I KNEW IT HAD TO BE MY CAR AND NOT THE PUMP. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE DETERMINED THE FUEL FILLER HOSE HAS RUSTED THROUGH ALL THE WAY TO THE PLASTIC COVER AROUND IT. HE TOLD ME MY CAR IS SAFE TO BE DRIVEN BUT NOT TO PUT GAS IN. I'VE ORDERED THE $184 PART TO REPAIR IT AND AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR IT TO COME IN TO THE DEALER. I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS INCIDENT BUT NO OFFICIAL RECALLS BY FORD. DID I MISS SOMETHING SOMEWHERE? IT SEEMS TO ME IF THERE ARE THAT MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR PART OF THE CAR, FORD WOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10245640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Lawndale, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG GT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE IDLED ROUGHLY, OVERHEATED, AND HESITATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CROSSOVER CHANNEL. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A FORD SAFETY CAMPAIGN THAT PERTAINED TO THE FAILURES HE WAS EXPERIENCING. HOWEVER, THE STIPULATION OF THE SAFETY CAMPAIGN STATE THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE WITHIN SEVEN YEARS OF THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE DATE. THE VEHICLE EXCEEDS THIS STIPULATION BY SIX WEEKS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

NHTSA complaint #10240214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Stanley, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE GAS TANK WAS FILLED, FUEL WOULD LEAK BACK OUT OF THE VEHICLE. FUEL WOULD ALSO LEAK ONTO THE TAIL PIPES AND THE SHIELD SURROUNDING THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK SHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO KEEP THE GASOLINE FROM LEAKING OUT OF THE VEHICLE AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $200. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 58,000. UPDATED 09/13/08.*LJ UPDATED 09/16/08

NHTSA complaint #10237759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Pico Rivera, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

BLOWN FORD SPARK PLUG! I DRIVE A 2001 FORD MUSTANG GT, 4.6L V8, AND ONE NIGHT I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND AS SOON AS IT TURNED GREEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS LIKE ANY OTHER LIGHT AND I BLEW A SPARK PLUG. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 10K ON IT AND IT BLEW AT 56K. I NEVER REPLACED THE PLUGS SO IM GUESSING THEY WERE FACTORY INSTALLED. AS OF TODAY I HAVE REPLACED BOTH HEADS BUT THE DAMAGE FROM THE BLOWN SPARK PLUG SEEMS TO HAVE AFFECTED MY ENGINE BLOCK ITSELF. MY GUESS IS FROM DRIVING THE CAR OFF THE ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT. NOT HAVING MONEY TO REBUILD THE ENGINE I HAVE SINCE PARKED THE CAR HOPING FORD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS MISTAKE. I HAVE READ MORE AND MORE HOW MANY FORD V8S TEND TO DO THIS YET FORD ACTS LIKE IT DOESN'T EXIST. I CALLED FORD ABOUT ORDERING NEW HEADS AND THEY INSISTED THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I WAS RAISED ON FORDS BUT DON'T SEE ME BUYING ONE EVER AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10234794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Clarksville, IN Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG GT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A DOG IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED INTO THE GRASS, ROLLED OVER TWICE, AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED KNEE INJURIES AND AN INJURED BACK. HE HAS NOT YET SEEN A DOCTOR. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AND VIDEO FOOTAGE AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10214724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Frenchtown, NJ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

FUEL NECK BEGAN TO LEAK, WITHIN 2 WEEKS IT WAS LOOSING ALMOST A GALLON OF FUEL ON A $20.00 FILL. I CONTACTED FORD TWICE, I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, I GOT AN ATTITUDE FROM THE DEALERSHIP SO I SPENT THE $110.00 ON A FORD PART AND $180.00 ON THE LABOR AT ANOTHER SERVICE STATION. ADVISED FORD OF THE SAFETY HAZARD, APPARENTLY DIDN'T CONCERN THEM ENOUGH TO CONTACT ME AND MAKE GOOD ON THE REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10213224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Hollywood, MD

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES

HEADLIGHT PLASTIC COVERS HAVE BECOME CLOUDY/HAZED OVER THE PAST YEAR TO THE POINT WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL TO PROPERLY ILLUMINATE THE ROAD CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS AT NIGHT. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH MY LOCAL DEALER AND FORD MOTOR CORP. AND HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I FEEL SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT A COSMETIC PROBLEM THEY SHOULD PAY FOR NEW HEADLIGHTS.

NHTSA complaint #10205737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.