205 of the
836 complaints filed about the Ford Mustang GT
are about the engine —
25% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY AND ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SENSOR WERE SENDING MY CAR INTO "LIMP MODE", AND VERY NEARLY CAUSED TWO ACCIDENTS BEFORE I COULD HAVE THE ISSUE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE FIRST INSTANCE OF "LIMP MODE" CAME WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY IN COMMUTE TRAFFIC. IT WAS WARM, TRAFFIC WAS ERRATIC STOP-AND-GO, AND I HAD THE AC ON. AFTER A PERIOD OF COASTING AT IDLE, TRAFFIC OPENED UP; BUT WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR STAGGERED AND NEARLY STALLED. I THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO HEAT AND THE AC. THE CAR THEN JERKED FORWARD BEFORE RUNNING SMOOTHLY AGAIN. THE SECOND TIME, I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, AGAIN IN FREEWAY COMMUTE TRAFFIC. TRAFFIC WAS AT A STOP FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, AND THEN I HEARD A NEWS REPORT THAT THERE WERE ACCIDENTS AHEAD. I MOVED OVER TO THE 4TH LANE OF 5, IN PREPARATION FOR EXITING AT THE NEXT OFF RAMP. WHEN I TRIED TO PULL OUT AND SPEED UP INTO THAT LANE, THE CAR AGAIN STAGGERED AND THEN STALLED; I MANAGED TO RE-START IT AND GET MOVING AGAIN AS A TRUCK CAME RACING TOWARDS ME, WITH THE DRIVER HITTING HIS BRAKES AND HORN. I BARELY AVOIDED A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #11133476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2000 MUSTANG GT OVERHEATED WHILE I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME, ON A TEN MILE JOURNEY A COUPLE DAYS AGO. UNTIL THIS INCIDENT, MY MUSTANG HAD NEVER OVERHEATED. I BOUGHT THE CAR LAST SEPT. I USED HOSE WATER AT GAS STATION TO COOL IT FIRST ON HOOD THEN ONCE MY ENGINE LOOKED COOLER, I FILLED THE RADIATOR (THINKING WE'D FLUSH THE COOLING SYSTEM WHEN I GOT IT HOME) WATER EMPTIED AS FAST AS I POURED IT IN, FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD BEHIND WHAT LOOKS LIKE THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. MY CAR IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION. NOW I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. BECAUSE I USED ALL MY MONEY TO BUY THIS CAR. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS. MY SITUATION APPEARS IDENTICAL TO SEVERAL ON YOUR SITE, SUCH AS THIS ONE I JUST COPIED FROM ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS POSTED:OCT 08, 2013 - LEXINGTON, SC - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. STEAM ROLLED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DISCOVERED CRACK IN MANIFOLD WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THERMOSTAT HOUSING. COOLANT DRIPPING ON THE ENGINE; I DO NOT KNOW IF INTERNAL COMPONENTS ARE DAMAGED.
NHTSA complaint #11098136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JAN JA SERVICE CENTER (5771 MAIN STREET TRUMBULL, CT, 06611 PHONE: 203-261-3249), BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S VOLUNTARY RECALL (0S34) FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #11010458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AFTER IT HEATS UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THESE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE USED VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX. THEY REPLACED O2 SENSORS AND I GOT IT BACK LAST NIGHT AND TODAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF ON ME AGAIN AND THE RPMS DROPPED TO ZERO. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OFF TO THE SIDE SAFELY. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT. I DROVE FOR ABOUT A MINUTE OR TWO AND IT SHUT OFF AGAIN, SO AGAIN I PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT THREE OR FOUR TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO REACH MY FINAL DESTINATION.
NHTSA complaint #10908952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER STARTING ENGINE, SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM BLOCK AND EXPLODED. ENGINE WAS IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN AND HAULED TO A REPAIR MECHANIC. COST OF REPAIR WAS $2,400 AND VEHICLE WAS IN SHOP FOR 5 DAYS. EXPLOSION WAS LOUD AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH THE SHOCK OF THE LOUD NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #10722477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD JUST FINISHED FUELING UP MY CAR AND WHEN I GOT IN TO START IT UP I HEARD A POP AND HISSING SOUND.... WHEN I CHECKED IT HAD BLOWN ANOTHER SPARK PLUG AND COIL OUT OF CYLINDER 7.... IT BLEW ONE OUT OF CYLINDER 8 AND I HAD IT FIXED NOW CYLINDER 7 DID IT.... ITS OBVIOUSLY COMMON FOR THE 4.6 MOTOR TO DO THIS AND I DON'T FIND IT RIGHT THAT US OWNERS HAVE TO CONSTANTLY FIX THESE PROBLEMS WHEN ITS FORD'S FAULT FOR MAKING THIS MOTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10692831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING AT LOW SPEEDS, IN TRAFFIC, AT RED LIGHTS/STOP SIGNS AND WHILE TURNING. SEVERAL VERY CLOSE CALLS TO DATE. YOU MUST RESTART ENGINE DURING A TURN OFTEN WITH OTHER MOTORISTS BEARING DOWN ON YOU. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AND WHEN YOU DO A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET. THE DEALERSHIP IS ALSO AWARE OF IT BECAUSE THEY TELL YOU RIGHT AWAY THAT YOU WILL NEED A $500.00 PART TO FIX IT AND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD BY A FEW MECHANICS THAT THIS USED TO BE SOLVED BY REPLACING THE IDLE AIR CONTROL SWITCH,ABOUT A $40.00 PART. THAT PART IS NOT OFFERED WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL BUT IT COMES ON THE $500.00 PART.
NHTSA complaint #10650194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ENGINE OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE OIL FILTER ADAPTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE OIL FILTER ADAPTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
NHTSA complaint #10640090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR WAS BUILT WITH A PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANIFOLD BEGAN LEAKING AT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND THEN THE HEATER HOSE CONNECTION ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SUDDENLY BROKE. I NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN AND MATERIAL SELECTION. FORD KNEW OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND HOPES IT WILL JUST GO AWAY. THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES FOR REPAIRS THAT WERE DUE TO POOR DESIGN AND MATERIALS USED TO MAKE THIS PART.
NHTSA complaint #10611188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS HAS BEEN AND STILL IS A ON GOING SAFETY ISSUE TO ME AND THE FAMILY. WHEN DRIVING, NORMALLY AT A LOW SPEED THE ENGINE WILL "DIE", OF COURSE I LOSE ALL POWER TO THE STEERING, BRAKING, ETC. I MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO START IT, IT WILL START BUT, WHEN I TRY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE, IT DIES AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS, WHEN I PULL UP TO A RED LIGHT, OR BEHIND A VEHICLE. I HAVE NO FORWARNING OF THE EVENT ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE. TWO WEEKS AGO IT OCCURRED WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND IT TOOK HER ABOUT 40 MINUTES TO GET THE CAR RUNNING. AND YESTERDAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AFTER LEAVING MY GARAGE AND DROVE LESS THAN 1/2 MILE, THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING, AND I TRAVELED ABOUT 2 MILES AND IT STOPPED AT LEAST 5 TIMES BEFORE I COULD PARK. WE WENT SHOPPING AND CAME BACK OUT AND IT STARTED AND GAVE ME NO PROBLEM GETTING HOME. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP, R&R FUEL TANK, REPLACED FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THE TECHNICIANS I SHOULD TREAT THE FUEL AT LEASE EVERY TWO TANK FILL UPS. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS GOING TO OCCUR AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND INJURY MY FAMILY AND/OR OTHER DRIVERS. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THERE IS NO RECALLS AGAINST THE VIN NUMBER. I CAN NOT BELIEVE I AM THE ONLY MUSTANG OWNER THAT IS HAVING THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10604583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
1 - ENGINE MAKES HORRIBLE SOUND IN COLD WEATHER. ALSO APPEARS TO BE ISSUE WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAUSED A FIRE. VERY BAD GAS MILEAGE - BIG CHANGE IN DECREASED MPG. HAVE ISSUES WHEN TRYING TO FILL UP GAS TANK WHERE FUEL GUN FILLER WONT ALLOW ME TO FUEL AS THE GAS PUMP AT MOST GAS STATIONS WILL IMMEDIATELY STOP AND KICK OUT THE FUELLER GUN AND SPIT GAS OUT OF MY TANK AND SPILL ON MY CAR. THERE IS ALSO OIL ON MY SPARK PLUGS AND PORTS. 2 -POWERTRAIN - POOR STABILITY IN DRIVING AND SQUEAKY NOISES COMING FROM REAREND. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND WENT THROUGH FOUR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, FIRST TIME AT 800 MILES ON THE ODOMETER ONLY. FORD REPLACED ALL DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS WHILE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. PRESENTLY I AM RE-EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ALL DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SECOND AND THIRD GEAR TO FINAL INOPERABILITY CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP DEAD WHILE DRIVING. IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10568663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2002 MUSTANG GT BULLITT THAT I BOUGHT IN JULY 2013. SO FAR I HAVE HAD TWO DIFFERENT INCIDENTS WHERE A SPARK PLUG HAS BLOWN THE HEAD. THE MOST RECENT WAS YESTERDAY 11/23/2013. ALL I WAS DOING WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A NOISE COME FROM THE SPARK PLUG. TODAY, I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUG AGAIN, AND SO FAR IT IS RUNNING OKAY FOR NOW. BUT A FEW WEEKS AGO, I CHANGED THE SAME SPARK PLUG, THEN IT WORKED FINE, THEN IT WENT OUT AGAIN YESTERDAY. SO, HOPEFULLY IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT IF IT DOES, I WON'T BE SURPRISED.
NHTSA complaint #10553626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. STEAM ROLLED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DISCOVERED CRACK IN MANIFOLD WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THERMOSTAT HOUSING. COOLANT DRIPPING ON THE ENGINE; I DO NOT KNOW IF INTERNAL COMPONENTS ARE DAMAGED. RESEARCHED IT ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL AND THAT FORD CORRECTED THIS IN SUBSEQUENT MODELS BY CHANGING MANIFOLD TO ALUMINUM FROM THE PLASTIC. FORD WILL NOT HONOR RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT MY VEHICLE ISN'T ON THE RECALL DESPITE THE FACT THAT MY CAR CONTAINS THE SAME PART THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10547309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER COMING TO A STOP, I TRY TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR STALLS AND JERKS INTO GEAR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE WAS DIRTY. I HAD IT CLEANED AND GOT A NEW AIR FILTER BUT WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE NEXT STEP WAS TO REPLACE THROTTLE SENSOR. THE MECHANIC ADVISED TO CHECK THE RECALL LIST AND I SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO HELP FROM FORD. I SAW THIS SITE AND DECIDED TO POST.
NHTSA complaint #10535353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING HOME FORM A TRIP I STARTED HEARING A SLAPPING/TICKING NOISE FORM UNDER THE HOOD. INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM AND SEEMS TO BE COMING FORM TIMING CHAIN COVER/ VALVE COVER AREA ON PASSENGER SIDE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER AND A MECHANIC VISIT IT IS A TIMING CHAIN GUIDE/TENSIONER. ITS A COSTLY REPAIR AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON 05-09 MUSTANGS FORM INTERNET RESEARCH. THEY USE THE TIMING CHAIN CAUSE THEY SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, CAUSE THEY WONT BREAK. I THINK THE GUIDES SHOULD ALSO LAST, BUT THEY ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND CAN BREAK AT ANYTIME. I THINK THIS IS A PLOY BY FORD OR A DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS PLASTIC CONTAINED INSIDE OF A MAJOR CAR PART THAT CAN BREAK EASILY, MAY CAUSE CHAIN TO SLIP OFF AND SHUT OFF ENGINE CAUSING BLOWN ENGINE, OR WORSE WHILE ON HIGHWAY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED BY STAINLESS OR ALUMINUM FOR STRENGTH AND BETTER SUPPORT.
NHTSA complaint #10523603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.