Owners have filed 59 complaints
about the 2003 Ford Mustang GT with NHTSA between 2003 and 2018.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 11 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 39
Against the median year of the Ford Mustang GT. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 61
11.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
77% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2003 compares with every other Ford Mustang GT
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.
Manual Transmission
1136.7%
Engine
723.3%
Ignition
413.3%
Clutch Assembly
26.7%
Cooling System
26.7%
Injectors
26.7%
Automatic (Asc)
13.3%
Fuel Injection System
13.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
1125.6%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
1125.6%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
511.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
920.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
49.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
12.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
12.3%
150,000+ miles
12.3%
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.
Jan 2003peak 5May 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 2003 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.
DP05005Opened 22 Sep 2005Closed 4 Jan 2006ENGINE 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...
PE05-038 WAS OPENED ON JULY 7, 2005, WITH 11 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF THROTTLE STICKING DUE TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE CARPET.ODI HAS RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL 24 COMPLAINTS SINCE THE PE WAS OPENED.DURING PE05-038, FORD SUPPLIED COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY INFORMATION REGARDING 86 ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE IN MODEL YEAR 2003 TO 2004 MUSTANG COBRA VEHICLES.EIGHTY-FIVE OF THESE HAD CONCERNS OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING, 70 OF WHICH WERE ANALYZED AS BEING RELATED TO CARPET INTERFERENCE.ODI IS CONTINUING ITS ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSAL FACTO...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 104,679 milesRuskin, FL1 injured
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD MUSTANG GT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, SUDDENLY, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED IN A BACKWARD POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING WITH CAUTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND ADJUST THE SEAT ONTO THE TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR BACK INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TRACK ASSEMBLY SEAT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,679. UPDATED 3/10/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIR SLID BACK WHILE DRIVING. UPDATED 06/14/10 .
NHTSA complaint #10306414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesArlington, TX1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BLOW A HOLE AT THE CROSSOVER EXCHANGE, CAUSING COOLANT TO EXPLODE OUT LIKE A GUYSER AND GOT ON MY FACE WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE WHAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM! IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT A RECALL OR CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT IN 2005. CAN I BE REIMBERSED THE PRODUCT HAS BEEN KNOWINGLY AND WIDELY VIEWED BE EVRYBODY AS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10177340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesRussellville, ARCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVING DOWN PINE TWIST ROAD LOST CONTROL OF 2003 FORD MUSTANG GT ON DOWN HILL CURVE WHEN LEFT TIRES SKIDDED ON GRAVEL - WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH BUT THERE WAS AN ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES. THOUGHT ALL OF THIS WAS MY FAULT UNTIL I SAW THE ARTICLE IN THE LOCAL PAPER ABOUT NHTSA LOOKING AT 2003 MUSTANG GT'S FOR ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE FRONM THE CARPET SO I DECIDED TO REPORT THIS - CAR WAS TOTALED OUT AND WAS REMOVED TO THE SCRAP YARD IN MAY SO THERE IS NO CAR TO LOOK EXAMINE ON THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10128590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesAcworth, GACrash1 injured
TIRES:SIDEWALL
I BOUGHT A 2003 GT MUSTANG CONV ON FRIDAY APRIL 15, 2005. THE CAR HAD 14432 MILES ON IT AND AS FAR AS I KNOW IT WAS THE ORIGINAL TIRES. ON FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2005 I LEFT FROM WORK. I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-575 TOWARD CANTON WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THEN I HEARD A THUMPING NOISE AND I REALIZED THAT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I TAPPED ON MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND GET OVER. I WAS GOING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65. THEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. AT THAT TIME MY CAR FISHTAILED AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I RAN INTO THE GUARDRAIL CAUSING ME TO SPIN AROUND LANDING WITH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AGAINST THE GUARDRAIL. THAT WAS THE TIRE THAT BLEW. I BLACKED OUT DURING THE ACCIDENT. I CAME TOO AND SLAMMED THE DOOR OPEN NOT REALLY REALIZING WHAT HAD HAPPENED. A DAY LATER MY NECK STARTED KILLING ME. I WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM ON SUNDAY APRIL 24. THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD LOST SOME OF THE NATURAL CURVATURE IN MY NECK AND THAT I WAS HAVING MUSCLE SPASMS. THEY PUT ME ON PAIN MEDICINE AND MUSCLE RELAXERS. THE TIRE COMPLETELY SPLIT APART AT THE SIDEWALL. THE SIZE OF THE TIRES WAS P245-45R17. THEY WERE GOODYEAR EAGLE ZR TIRES
NHTSA complaint #10120707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 800 milesSAN Jose, CACrash
WHEELS:RIM
WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND SWAYED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER NOTICED THE WHEEL WAS OFF THE RIM.
NHTSA complaint #10011211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79 milesHouston, TX1 injured
AIR BAGS
INADVERTANT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ON MY DAUGHTER'S 2003 MUSTANG GT CONVERTIBLE, WHILE PARKING, CAUSED HER TO JUMP THE PARKING CHOCK, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. THERE WAS NO APPEARANT DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND THE SPEED WAS LESS THAN 10MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10003114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 165,000 milesDES Moines, IA
SEAT BELTS
TAKATA RECALL PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKED UP NOW DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT ACTING UP AND HARD TO RETRACT IN AND OUT AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #11091470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesFairview, OR
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT GETS TWISTED AND WONT RETRACT AND GETS SHUT IN DOOR IF YOU DON'T PAY ATTENTION, PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT IS STUCK AND WONT COME OUT OR WORK AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #10556086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,679 milesRuskin, FL1 injured
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD MUSTANG GT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, SUDDENLY, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED IN A BACKWARD POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING WITH CAUTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND ADJUST THE SEAT ONTO THE TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR BACK INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TRACK ASSEMBLY SEAT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,679. UPDATED 3/10/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIR SLID BACK WHILE DRIVING. UPDATED 06/14/10 .
NHTSA complaint #10306414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesKansas City, MO
POWER TRAIN
MY 03' MUSTANG SPIT THE SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HEAD,AGAIN, TAKING ALL THE THREADS WITH IT. NOW IT IS UNABLE TO RUN DO THE FACT IT HAS A MISSING PLUG. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS OUT OF THEIR HANDS DO TO NOT BEING UNDER WARRANTY ANY LONGER. FORD MOTOR CO. SAID THEY WILL NOT FIX THE CAR,IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SORRY THE SPARK PLUG WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE HEAD. WE CAN NOT FIX IT UNLESS YOU PAY FOR PARTS/LABOR OUT OF YOUR POCKET. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE FOR FORD, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE ARE ACTING LIKE THERE IS NOT 1000'S OF PEOPLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. MY NEXT STEP IS TO HIRE A CLASS ACTION ATTORNEY AND SEE ABOUT GETTING MY CAR FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10262189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,825 milesKansas City, MO
POWER TRAIN
SPARK PLUG WAS SPIT OUT OF HEAD. IT HAS THE FACTORY PLUGS IN IT NEVER BEEN CHANGED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR,THE DEALERSHIP, CHECKED SPARK PLUG IN QUESTION,THEN TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. AT THIS POINT I DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS OK OR NOT? BUT I AM DRIVING IT TILL IT BREAKS AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10244464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 milesWaipahu, HI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON COLD START, THERE IS A "TICKING" SOUND. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND HE GAVE ME A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ARTICLE #03-25-6, DATED 12/22/03, REGARDING FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY ENGINES BUILT BEFORE 9/17/2003. EMAILED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO FIND OUT WHAT COULD BE DONE TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION AS IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT OF THE CAR ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. ALL THEY COULD TELL ME IS THERE IS NO RECALL AND TAKE IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED IF NEED.
NHTSA complaint #10211147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deltona, FL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
INTERIOR A/C BLOWER FAN(DASHBOARD VENTS) STOPS WORKING AFTER IN USE FOR 1 HOUR.
NHTSA complaint #10193101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesFuquay Varina, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1) EVERYTHING WAS RUNNING FINE, NO PROBLEMS DETECTED. MAINTENANCE ON VEHICLE WAS UP TO DATE. WAS TURNING A CORNER AND THERE WAS A POP AND AFTER THAT THE ENGINE STARTED TO MIS-FIRE. 2) WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE 2 MILES TO THE FORD SERVICE CENTER. THERE, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THAT THIS HAPPENS ON OCCASION. I HAD TWO OPTIONS: THE FIRST WAS TO PAY $610 TO PUT A PATCH IN THAT WASN'T PROVIDED WITH A WARRANTY AND THEY TOLD ME IT COULD LAST 2 YEARS OR BLOW 2 MILES DOWN FROM THE SHOP AFTER I LEFT, OR PAY $2500 AND HAVE A NEW CYLINDER PUT IN. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH FORD VEHICLES, THAT FORD IS AWARE OF BUT IS NOT TAKING CARE OF. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT EVEN IF THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THIS AND I WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A CAR I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX FOR A WHILE AND A CAR MAKER WHO CAN'T ADMIT THAT THEY BUILT A FAULTY ENGINE AND FIX THEIR PROBLEM. 3) NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS YET, AS I AM LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO CAN FIX IT RIGHT AT A LOWER COST.
NHTSA complaint #10185145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesFuquay Varina, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1) EVERYTHING WAS RUNNING FINE, NO PROBLEMS DETECTED. MAINTENANCE ON VEHICLE WAS UP TO DATE. WAS TURNING A CORNER AND THERE WAS A POP AND AFTER THAT THE ENGINE STARTED TO MIS-FIRE. 2) WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE 2 MILES TO THE FORD SERVICE CENTER. THERE, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THAT THIS HAPPENS ON OCCASION. I HAD TWO OPTIONS: THE FIRST WAS TO PAY $610 TO PUT A PATCH IN THAT WASN'T PROVIDED WITH A WARRANTY AND THEY TOLD ME IT COULD LAST 2 YEARS OR BLOW 2 MILES DOWN FROM THE SHOP AFTER I LEFT, OR PAY $2500 AND HAVE A NEW CYLINDER PUT IN. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH FORD VEHICLES, THAT FORD IS AWARE OF BUT IS NOT TAKING CARE OF. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT EVEN IF THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THIS AND I WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A CAR I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX FOR A WHILE AND A CAR MAKER WHO CAN'T ADMIT THAT THEY BUILT A FAULTY ENGINE AND FIX THEIR PROBLEM. 3) NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS YET, AS I AM LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO CAN FIX IT RIGHT AT A LOWER COST.
NHTSA complaint #10185145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesArlington, TX1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BLOW A HOLE AT THE CROSSOVER EXCHANGE, CAUSING COOLANT TO EXPLODE OUT LIKE A GUYSER AND GOT ON MY FACE WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE WHAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM! IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT A RECALL OR CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT IN 2005. CAN I BE REIMBERSED THE PRODUCT HAS BEEN KNOWINGLY AND WIDELY VIEWED BE EVRYBODY AS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10177340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesWoodbury, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
IN MY 2003 MUSTANG GT WITH TREMEC TRANNY...GRINDING TYPE FEELING GOING INTO SECOND GEAR. WENT TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID FEELING WAS NORMAL,AND IT WOULD GO AWAY,IT HAS NOT. I ONLY DRIVE IT ONCE AND A WHILE BUT IT IS WORSE ON COLDER DAYS!!!
NHTSA complaint #10170307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesFort Worth, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I OWN A 2003 MACH1 MUSTANG. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT WEAR TO THE CARPET NEXT TO THE GAS PEDAL AND JUST ABOVE THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 36,000 MILES. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE CARPET HAS FALLEN DOWN ABOVE THE GAS/BREAK/CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY AS WELL AS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS CAUSED DIFFICULTY IN USING THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER "REGLUED" THE CARPET.
NHTSA complaint #10160261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orange Park, FL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
WE HAVE OWNED SEVERAL DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS OF MUSTANGS (2003, 1998, 1996 TO BE EXACT). FOR REASONS UNKNOWN, THE SEAT BELTS FOR THE FRONT BUCKET SEATS BECOME TWISTED AND DO NOT SECURE A PERSON PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN ALL THREE OF THESE VEHICLES. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SPECIFIC INCIDENT RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IF FORD DOES NOT RESEARCH THIS ONGOING CONCERN, THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS IN THESE CARS. NOTE: THIS PROGRAM REQUIRES A DATE TO BE ENTERED SO I USED TODAY'S DATE EVEN THOUGH THIS DOES NOT REFERENCE A SPECIFIC EVENT. IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10150526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,800 milesMission Viejo, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TIE RODS (STEERING) WENT BAD ON MY 2003 MUSTANG (IT HAS 37,000 MILES), AND CONVERTIBLE BEZEL CAME LOOSE. VIN#[XXX]. PARTS WERE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $236.00, HOWEVER I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBILITY, AND NOT CONSUMER. ALSO, MY 1988 FORD F350 HAD A STEERING PROBLEM THAT WAS CORRECTED UNDER RECALL IN 1988, HOWEVER, RECALL DIDN'T HOLD, AND LAST YEAR I HAD TO SPEND $800 CORRECTING PROBLEM A SECOND TIME. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURE. MY 2004 EXPEDITION HAD IT'S RECALL DONE (FOR CRUISE CONTROL). YEARS AGO A NEW FORD OF MINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHY DO FORDS SEEM TO HAVE CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH STEERING AND/OR FUEL? *JB UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10147835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,800 milesMission Viejo, CA
STEERING
TIE RODS (STEERING) WENT BAD ON MY 2003 MUSTANG (IT HAS 37,000 MILES), AND CONVERTIBLE BEZEL CAME LOOSE. VIN#[XXX]. PARTS WERE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $236.00, HOWEVER I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBILITY, AND NOT CONSUMER. ALSO, MY 1988 FORD F350 HAD A STEERING PROBLEM THAT WAS CORRECTED UNDER RECALL IN 1988, HOWEVER, RECALL DIDN'T HOLD, AND LAST YEAR I HAD TO SPEND $800 CORRECTING PROBLEM A SECOND TIME. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURE. MY 2004 EXPEDITION HAD IT'S RECALL DONE (FOR CRUISE CONTROL). YEARS AGO A NEW FORD OF MINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHY DO FORDS SEEM TO HAVE CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH STEERING AND/OR FUEL? *JB UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10147835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,400 milesMiami, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
GAS PEDAL STUCK UNDER CARPET.
NHTSA complaint #10142447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pasco, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE SHE OWNS HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR BRAKES, THE SEAT BELTS, AND THE COMPUTER CHIP THAT MADE THE VEHICLE START. NOW, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. THE REPAIRS WERE BEING MADE AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10142432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pasco, WA
SEAT BELTS
DT: CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE SHE OWNS HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR BRAKES, THE SEAT BELTS, AND THE COMPUTER CHIP THAT MADE THE VEHICLE START. NOW, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. THE REPAIRS WERE BEING MADE AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10142432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pasco, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
DT: CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE SHE OWNS HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR BRAKES, THE SEAT BELTS, AND THE COMPUTER CHIP THAT MADE THE VEHICLE START. NOW, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. THE REPAIRS WERE BEING MADE AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10142432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pasco, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE SHE OWNS HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR BRAKES, THE SEAT BELTS, AND THE COMPUTER CHIP THAT MADE THE VEHICLE START. NOW, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. THE REPAIRS WERE BEING MADE AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10142432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,500 milesMount Pleasant, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I PULLED OUT OF THE BANK PARKING LOT AND WHILE ACCELERATING GENTLY I HEARD A LOUD "POP" NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR THEN BEGAN TO RUN VERY BADLY AND THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE ENGINE TO FIND THAT ONE OF MY SPARK PLUGS HAD BEEN FORCEFULLY EJECTED. I CONTINUED HOME WHERE I REMOVED THE PLUG TO FIND THAT THE PLUG THREADS INSIDE THE CYLINDER HEAD HAD ALL BE DAMAGED AND WOULD NEED FIXED. I FIXED THE PROBLEM MYSELF AS I WAS INFORMED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST NEARLY $1,000 TO REPLACE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CERTAIN CYLINDER HEADS DATING BACK TO 1997 AND YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10138131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,392 milesSunbury, NC
STEERING:COLUMN
DT: WHEN THE CONSUMER WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK OUT OF CONSUMERS HAND. THE STEERING WOULD PULL TOWARD THE LEFT. THIS OCCURRED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES. THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE ANY ACCIDENTS BECAUSE ONCE HE LET OFF THE BRAKE IT WAS FINE. THE FIRST TIME HE TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP THEY DID NOTHING TO THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND TIME THEY GREASED A BUSHING. THE THIRD TIME THEY TOLD HIM IT WAS TO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ,AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR A PART. ALSO, THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING BROKEN IN THE STEERING AREA, BUT THEY WILL NOT TELL HIM WHAT IT WAS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS OF YET, IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AS OF YET.
NHTSA complaint #10131612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesNEW Port Richey, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ACCELERATER PETAL STUCK DUE TO CARPET FOLDING OVER AND NO WAY TO SECURE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10129229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesRussellville, ARCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVING DOWN PINE TWIST ROAD LOST CONTROL OF 2003 FORD MUSTANG GT ON DOWN HILL CURVE WHEN LEFT TIRES SKIDDED ON GRAVEL - WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH BUT THERE WAS AN ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES. THOUGHT ALL OF THIS WAS MY FAULT UNTIL I SAW THE ARTICLE IN THE LOCAL PAPER ABOUT NHTSA LOOKING AT 2003 MUSTANG GT'S FOR ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE FRONM THE CARPET SO I DECIDED TO REPORT THIS - CAR WAS TOTALED OUT AND WAS REMOVED TO THE SCRAP YARD IN MAY SO THERE IS NO CAR TO LOOK EXAMINE ON THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10128590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manchester, NH
PARKING BRAKE
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON HILL FOR ABOUT 15 MIN. WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED. WHILE LOOKING AT CAR THROUGH LIVING ROOM WINDOW WE SAW THE CAR JUST START ROLLING AWAY. CHECKED CAR AFTER AND EMERGENCY BRAKE STILL ENGAGED ! !
NHTSA complaint #10126752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.