11 of the
159 complaints about the 2002 Ford Mustang are about the
braking system — 7% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
32,000 miles.
On or about 01/28/2023 I purchased a 2002 Ford Mustang GT for a N.J. used car dealer. I was assured by the sales person that the Mustang had been thoroughly inspected and there were no mechanical problems whatsoever. Upon delivery of the Mustang, that had only 68,886 miles, I took the Mustang for a required Virginia Safety Inspection and learned that the front brakes were completely worn out and must be replaced. I had a complete front brake job done, to include: new brake pads, rotors, calipers and hoses. The front brake job cost $637.17. Mula Auto Group 117 E Main St Somerville, NJ 08876 mulaautogroup.com (908) 231-1777 - Main (908) 231-1799 - Fax On Mon, Mar 13, 2023 at 5:19 PM [XXX] wrote: Dear sir: On or about 01/28/2023, I purchased a 2002 Mustang GT from Mulaj Auto. Before I purchased the car from [XXX], he told me there were no mechanical problems whatsoever and the car had been inspected. It took almost three weeks for me to get the Mustang transported from New Jersey to Virginia. After the Mustang arrived on February 13, 2023, I was away for two weeks and did not drive the car until early March. I recently had a Virginia state safety inspection done and the Mustang barely passed inspection because of the badly worn front brakes. Both pads were worn to minimum limits, both rotors were badly grooved and the left caliper was seized. I just had the front brake work done today, for a total of $637.17. Invoice #[XXX] is attached. If I had been told the Mustang needed front brakes, I would not have bought the car. There is no doubt that Mulaj Auto should have advised me of the bad front brakes. Because Mulaj Auto failed to do so, I think you'll agree that Mulaj Auto should compensate me for the front brake job. Your assistance with this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11514765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesLA Follette, TNCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND, AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #11098781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesPortland, ORCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING AT THE SAME SPEED. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ANCHORED THE BRAKES. I WAS 3 CAR LENGTH BEHIND. TH ABS FAILED AND DID NOT ALLOW THE BRAKES TO RESUME. WE HIT THE BACK END OF THE CAR IN FRONT AT 35MPH. THE PASSENGER SEATBELT BROKE ENDING MY FIANCE HEAD INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE TOYOTA DID NOT HAVE A SCRATCH: MYSELF AND MY GIRL ARE BOTH INJURED. I PURCHASED THIS CAR 5/14. I BELIEVE THERE MAY NOT BE AIRBAGS AND I ALSO THINK THIS CAR ESCAPED HAVING TO HAVE A SALVAGE TITLE. WE ARE UPSET TO SAY THE LEAST. AS IT IS ONE THING BUT TO PUT A CONSUMERS LIFE AT RISK IS ANOTHER. THIS IS THE SECOND CAR FROM THIS DEALER SINCE MARCH 2014 THAT WE HAD BEEN GIVEN A DEATH TRAP.
NHTSA complaint #10654900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chatsworth, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE FRONT BRAKES MADE A LOUD OF NOISE. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10080135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,936 milesChatsworth, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND WHEN BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE PULLED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. *AK THERE WAS A CLUNK AFTER THE BRAKES WERE RELEASED, THE FRONT TIRES RUBBED ON THE FRAME WHEN TURNING, THREE BELTS WERE INSTALLED WITHIN 6000, THE VEHICLE SMELLED LIKE OIL, EVEN WITH THE A/C ON. THE MOTOR RATTLED BEFORE THE GEARS WERE SHIFTED, WITH THE A/C ON THE MOTOR WOULD SURGE UP AND DOWN TO THE POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL. AFTER THE CONSUMER WOULD TAKE HIS FOOT OFF OF THE GAS THERE WOULD BE A SLIGHT ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS SOMETIMES HARD TO START AND MUST BE CRANKED SEVERAL TIMES. THERE WAS A RATTLE IN THE REAR OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AS IF SOMETHING WAS LOOSE MOVING BACK AND FORTH. POOR ALIGNMENT HAD WORN THE TIRES ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE. THE BOLT FROM THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND IN THE DRIVEWAY, AND THE REAR WINDOW HAD AN AIR LEAK. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10080140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesMT Pleasant, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM IN WHICH ENGINE WILL RACE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, AND FOOT OFF OF GAS PEDAL. USUALLY OCCURS WHEN STOPPING AT STOP SIGN OR PULLING INTO PARKING PLACE. CAR WILL COME TO ALMOST COMPLETE STOP AND THEN THE ENGINE WILL RACE AND THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD, AND BRAKES CANNOT STOP CAR. BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION.AR IS AT FORD DEALER PRESENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10049152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesMT Pleasant, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM IN WHICH ENGINE WILL RACE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, AND FOOT OFF OF GAS PEDAL. USUALLY OCCURS WHEN STOPPING AT STOP SIGN OR PULLING INTO PARKING PLACE. CAR WILL COME TO ALMOST COMPLETE STOP AND THEN THE ENGINE WILL RACE AND THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD, AND BRAKES CANNOT STOP CAR. BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION.AR IS AT FORD DEALER PRESENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10049152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHILE PARKED ON AN INCLINE VEHICLE WILL SHAKE AND THE BRAKES WILL NOT HOLD.
NHTSA complaint #10022888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sallisaw, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
OWNER DESCRIBES FAILURE AS INTERMIITENT LOSS OF ENGINE, SHUTTING OFF WITH NO WARNING. SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ALL ELECTRICAL POWER FAILS. DEALERSHIP DID A DRIVE AND MAINTENANCE CHECK. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE OWNER. NOW THE ENGINE KEEPS HIGH ACCELERATION WITH THE RPM CONSTANTLY IN THE "RED" EVEN WITH FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. PROBLEM CAN'T BE DUPLICATED SO THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T HAVE AN ACTUAL FIX. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. MR
NHTSA complaint #8022037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Port Richey, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ABS SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND STILL REOCCURRING THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
NHTSA complaint #8020980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dumont, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRVING GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO BRAKES, AND VEHICLE SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 55MPH, BUT WOULD NOT STOP. CONSUMER THEN COLLIDED WITH THE CURB. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT AN ENGINE PROBLEM EXISTED.
NHTSA complaint #8017613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.