Stockton, CA
ENGINE
No
NHTSA complaint #11438547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 Ford Mustang engine problems
27 of the 159 complaints about the 2002 Ford Mustang are about the engine — 17% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 72,500 miles.
27
Complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Gasoline
9
33.3%
Engine
4
14.8%
Engine AND Engine Cooling
4
14.8%
Engine
4
14.8%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys
2
7.4%
Exhaust System
1
3.7%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
1
3.7%
Emission Control
1
3.7%
Catalytic Convertor
1
3.7%
Engine & Cooling across every Ford Mustang year
1990
10
0.6%
1993
12
0.8%
1994
194
12.5%
1995
410
26.4%
1996
95
6.1%
1997
42
2.7%
1998
48
3.1%
1999
35
2.3%
2000
47
3.0%
2001
27
1.7%
2002
27
1.7%
2003
47
3.0%
2005
44
2.8%
2006
27
1.7%
2007
20
1.3%
2010
12
0.8%
2011
55
3.5%
2012
33
2.1%
2013
23
1.5%
2014
19
1.2%
2015
51
3.3%
2016
82
5.3%
2017
34
2.2%
2018
62
4.0%
2019
59
3.8%
2020
27
1.7%
2021
10
0.6%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 150,000 miles
EGG Harbor TWP, NJ
ENGINE
WHILE IDLING MY CAR SUDDENLY HAD CYLINDER #3 MISFIRE AND THE SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD.
NHTSA complaint #11385042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,500 miles
Coral Gables, FL
ENGINE
WHILE IN DRIVE, WITH THE CAR STOPPED, THE CAR TRIES TO SURGE FORWARD BY ITSELF. YOU HAVE TO BE WEARY THAT YOU KEEP ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE OR THE CAR WILL BURST FORWARD.
NHTSA complaint #10717004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 miles
Warrenton, VA
Fire
ENGINE
MY WIFE WAS PULLING IN TO THE DRIVE WAY ON HER WAY FROM DOING SOME ERRANDS A DRIVE OF LESS THAN 5 MILES AND ITS A RURAL ROAD WHERE YOU CANT DRIVE MORE THAN 30 MILES AN HOUR WHEN SHE SMELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. SHE CHECKED THE GAUGES AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE AND THEN SAW SMOKE COMING OFF THE HOOD. SHE ONLY HAD TIME TO PARK THE CAR AND GET OFF AS THE WHOLE ENGINE BAY GOT ENGULFED IN FLAMES.THE FIRE FIGHTERS ARRIVED AND WERE ABLE TO CONTROL THE FIRE FROM SPREADING BUT THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED.
NHTSA complaint #10609977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 miles
Atlanta, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE FOURTH SPARK PLUG ON MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG GT 4.6L VEHICLE BLEW OUT. THIS RESULTED HEAVY LOSS OF POWER, SHAKING, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY FUEL FUMES TO COME OUT. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON AN INTERSTATE AT HIGH-SPEED AND I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO SAFELY MAKE IT OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE COST TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR IS ESTIMATED AT $2500. THIS IS A VERY COMMON SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE FORD 8-CYLINDER ENGINES FOR WHAT I GATHERED THROUGH INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AFTER THE INCIDENT. THE THREADS ARE TOO THIN AROUND THE SPARK PLUG AND THE HEAT CAUSES THEM TO BLEW OUT - LITERALLY.
NHTSA complaint #10423995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 miles
Pueblo, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED COOLANT WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE LEAK COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND MAYBE A FIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. ALSO, THE SPARK PLUGS SEPARATED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP IN REFERENCE TO THE SPARK PLUGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
NHTSA complaint #10379719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
ON MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG V6 THE AC CONDENSATION DRIPS TO MY MANIFOLD AND KEEPS CRACKING THE WELD. I HAVE TO GET IT REWELDED EVERY SIX MONTHS. THE GUY AT THE SHOP TELLS ME HE GETS AT LEAST 10 A MONTH WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10292166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,566 miles
Summerville, SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WENT TO DRIVE MY CAR FRIDAY MORNING AND HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND HAD 3 PULLEYS REPLACED ON IT AND IT WAS STILL SQUEAKING THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP STILL SQUEAKING I HAD 3 MECHANICS CHECK THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME WITH THE MILES THAT WAS ON MY CAR I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING PROBLEMS COMING FROM MY CRANKSHAFT I DON'T EVEN HAVE 100,000 MILES ON THE CAR YET.
NHTSA complaint #10257471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,500 miles
Kansas City, KS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO REPLACE TWO EXHAUST MUFFLERS. AFTER TWO AND HALF MONTHS THE NEW STANLEY STEEL MUFFLERS BECAME SEVERELY RUSTED. WHEN THE SERVICE DEALER WAS ALERTED, THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY WARRANTY ON THE MUFFLERS.
NHTSA complaint #10162124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Worth, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
DT: 2002 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONSUMER STATED THE EXHAUST INTAKE ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BROKE IN HALF. THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER DRIPPED ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER INTAKE. THIS CAUSED THE BREAK. FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE EXHAUST WENT INTO THE ENGINE, AND THE PIPE WAS HANGING ON THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX THE VEHICLE UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, 04216.
NHTSA complaint #10136481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 miles
Howell, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2002 FORD MUSTANG V6 WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ENGINE INCREASES RPMS EVEN WHEN FOOT IS OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS HAPPENS IN GEAR AND BETWEEN SHIFTS. EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY, FORD REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY SAY THAT THIS IS "A NORMAL VEHICLE CHARACTERISTIC AND NO FURTHER REPAIRS SHOULD BE PERFORMED". THE PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT AND WORSENING. I THINK THIS IS DANGEROUS AND FORD SHOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10128905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,936 miles
Chatsworth, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
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.
Milan, NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WILL NOT RESTART.
NHTSA complaint #10029676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thonotosassa, FL
Crash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN INTO A GUARDRAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10026708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 miles
LAS Vegas, NV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENGINE WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED ONE. *AK *CB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10022887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,548 miles
Fresno, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IT STALLED AGAIN AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT START AT ALL. *NLM THE CONTROL VALVE WAS CHANGED WITH NO CODES SHOWING IN THE SYSTEM. BEFORE, THE MECAHNIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE WEATHER AND THE GAS. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL AND WAS REPLACED. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10016114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belleville, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE STALL DURING BRAKING AFTER HARD ACCELERATION WHILE IN NUETRAL AND PRESSING THE CLUTCH. DT
NHTSA complaint #769091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Round Rock, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY STALLS ON DECELERATION. WHEN DECELERATING TO A STOP, PUSHING IN THE CLUTCH AND BRAKING WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO DIE. THERE IS NO WARNING OR DEFINITE RATE OF SPEED OR RPM. IT OCCURS OCCASIONALLY. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX BY ADJUSTING THE VOLTAGE ON THE THROTTLE POSITION SWITCH, SECOND REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. THE THIRD OCCURANCE STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR DIES WHILE BRAKING, YOU LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY.
NHTSA complaint #767498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dumont, NJ
Crash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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.
Laporte, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE CAR DIES UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BUT THE DEALER SAYS THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, (WHILE THE CAR IS IDLING AND WHEN THE CAR IS IN GEAR MOVING). FORD SAID THAT THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BUT THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK IS DONE NO PROBLEM CODES ARE RECORDED. HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING AND WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #765074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allauquerque, NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING ON FLAT OR INCLINE SURFACE AT LOW SPEEDS VEHICLE WILL STALL WITH NO WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8015638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Enid, OK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND SPEEDS. MASS AIR SENSOR REPLACED, BUT THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO GASKET. ALSO, MECHANIC FOUND THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH AIR WHERE FILTER WOULD BE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8014668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Enid, OK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND SPEEDS. MASS AIR SENSOR REPLACED, BUT THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO GASKET. ALSO, MECHANIC FOUND THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH AIR WHERE FILTER WOULD BE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8014668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burke, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE STALL AND WILL DIE AT BRAKING. COMMON PROBLEM WITH MUSTANGS. ENGINE DIED NUMOROUS TIMES NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDNETS.
NHTSA complaint #764195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Soddy Daisy, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE TURNING AT 30MPH, VEHICLE STALLS WITH NO WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK THIS VEHICLE LOSES ALL ELECTRICAL POWER INCLUDING THE IGNITION. THIS VEHICLE IS STILL IN THE POSESSION OF THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #8012173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oklahoma City, OK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE STALLED WHEN APPLYING BRAKES FIRMLY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS PUSHED DOWN. THIS INCIDENT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DUE TO ABSENCE OF POWER BRAKES, POWER STEERING, AND ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #762712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 60 MPH SEPENTINE BELT CAME OFF AND CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND MADE REPAIRS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #898370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.