Ford Mustang Complaints (2003)

231 consumer complaints on file.

#11750914July 16, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
Breaks went out
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750915July 16, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
Breaks went out
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713803January 27, 2026
AIR BAGS
From all the research I have done on my vehicle, it has the Takata airbag inflators that uses phase‑stabilized ammonium nitrate without a desiccant which should have been in the Nationwide Ford vehicle recall. I am the original owner of my 2003 Mustang Mach 1 and it has never had the airbags replaced and I have never received a recall notice. I had Ford run an OASIS report on my VIN and they tell me there is no recall for my car. I told them the reports don't show data past 15 years. After all these years I thought I was safe because my car never showed it had the Takata recall, so I didn't think mine had them. Now after watching a YouTube documentary and doing research, I am now afraid to drive my car. What can be done about this?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689960September 26, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Because of Mustangs heavy doors the latch mechanism malfunctioned and the door came open on the highway. I realize the car is old but I have read up on other complaints on mustangs. The door was fine and within the couple of hours of seeing the problem I was driving 70 on the highway. And I heard the door ding go off and something told me to grab the door. It was all I could do to get back home. Which has now led to other issues like the door sagging and the window is now messed up.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647763March 11, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Burning of terminal on brake light switch wiring. Brake lights left on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645931March 3, 2025
SEAT BELTS
The Belt Strap will get twists along the length. The Body Pillar clip refuses free movement. This is aggrevating for a Driver in the Seat. Driver in vain pushes Power Seat back to allow the Belt to clip into Latch at the Console. Reality. The car is 22-yrs old. Owner expects indifference by the local Ford shop. Both a neighbor & the Owner had a hard time about service. What does the Owner thinks a good solution? Late Model Restoration is this Model's best parts hope. A indy-body shop near the home of the car a repair alternative. Owner is [XXX] in a [XXX] & uses the Car as a Daily Driver. May be able to upload images of the car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11576237March 8, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Date of incident....sometime over night 1/27/24. Vehicle FIRE I believe started in electrical components. Happened overnight while PARKED in front of home in parking lot Melted left side of dash (all odometer area) and center console where AC controls and radio are. Shattered front windshield which was black with soot, as well as the plastic frame around front area of convertible top. Fire has somehow extinguished itself. Whole interior car full of soot. I had actually used my key FOB to enter my car at which time I noticed what had happened & all the damage. I immediately disconnected my battery. The engine did not look damaged. The fire seemed to have stayed behind firewall. My insurance company TOTALED my car out due to the fact of it being an ELECTRICAL CAUSE TO FIRE & even if it could've been repaired, was told parts (dash, odometer area which was COMPLETELY melted) were obsolete. Regardless, the car now has posed a serious DANGER. I have photos & totaled decision by insurance company information, but have been unable to upload on your site. I believe you should REALLY SEE THE PICTURES. After incident, I searched to see if there had been any recalls. I found a couple incidents of this happening to others with their 2003 MUSTANGS & am wondering why this had never been investigated. If I had known about a problem of electrical fires, this car would NOT have been purchased in 2017. I don't understand why this problem wasn't researched. It could've been so much worse as I had a FULL TANK OF GAS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511835March 14, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Flooded salvage title not listed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11218339June 6, 2019
TIRES
I WAS DRIVING 40 MILES AN HOUR AND REAR PASSANGER TIRE WITHOUT SOUND PRETTY MUCH JUST SHREDDED OF TRED .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11196623April 16, 2019
ENGINE
THE EXHAUST PIPE BREAKS WHERE THE A/C WATER DRIPS. THIS IS DUE TO POOR DESIGN OF THE CAR. THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES IT BETTER. HTTPS://FORD.OEMDTC.COM/100/EXHAUST-LEAK-CRACKED-OR-SEPARATED-RIGHT-SIDE-EXHAUST-PIPE-1999-2004-FORD-MUSTANG
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11091470May 2, 2018
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11035889October 23, 2017
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11003461July 6, 2017
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS BOTH SIDES NEVER WORKED TO THIS DAYY. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE THEY NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM.THE BELT S WILL NOT RETRACT INTO THE HOLDER BELTS LAY DOWN GET STUCK IN DOOR AND DANGLE OUT SIDE CAR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10994402June 12, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SPARK PLUG WAS MISSING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHILE TIGHTENING BOLTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE VEHICLE EJECTED ANOTHER SPARK PLUG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HOLLINGSWORTH RICHARDS FORD WHERE THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL, THE ENGINE HEAD CYLINDER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT, DUE TO THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 167,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10919915October 28, 2016
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FIRE HYDRANT, SPUN OUT, AND CRASHED INTO A RESIDENCE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED CLAVICLE AND SUFFERED NUMEROUS CUTS AND ABRASIONS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 01/27/17*LJ
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10762960September 10, 2015
SEAT BELTS
BOTH THE FRONT SEATBELTS WILL NOT RETRACT, WITHOUT CONSIDERABLE EFFORT. THIS RESULTS IN DRIVING WITH THE BELT VERY SLACK OVER THE CHEST AND LAP. I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THIS SLACK WILL PERMIT INJURY. I HAVE LOOKED OVER YOUR DATABASE OF CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS, AND THIS EXACT DEFECT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED TIME AFTER TIME, WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY BY FORD MOTOR CO.. I KNOW YOUR "STANDARD BOILER-PLATE RESPONSE" IS THAT FORD'S NUMBER ONE CONCERN IS SAFETY, BUT WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO IGNORE THIS OBVIOUS, CONTINUING DEFECT, YEAR AFTER YEAR? IS SAFETY IMPORTANT, OR NOT?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10760959September 2, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE, SUSPENSION
WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT NEW. ALL ISSUES HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER DURING THE FACTORY WARRANTY AND STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED. I HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER TO FORD HEADQUARTERS BUT THEY SENT A COMPLETE REJECTION LETTER. I WAS TOLD TODAY BY A FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TO FILE A COMPLAINT HERE. I CAN SUPPLY DOCUMENTS AND THE ORIGINAL LETTER TO FORD IF NEEDED. THE MAIN ISSUES FROM PURCHASING NEW AND DRIVING OFF THE LOT ARE (IN ROUGH ORDER OF IMPORTANCE): -MAJOR PAINT AND CLEAR COAT ISSUES (BROUGHT TO DEALER TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASE TO COMPLAIN. THEY HAVE NEVER RESOLVED PROBLEM AND IT HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE TO THIS DAY.) -DRIVER DOOR WINDOW STOPS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. -CAR ENGINE SURGING MAKING CAR LURCH FORWARD (MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. IT WAS REPORTED TO INSURANCE.) -ENGINE ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL IN REVERSE. -HEADLIGHT LENSES COMPLETELY CLOUDED EARLY ON (HAVE HAD TO HAVE RESTORATION DONE TO HEADLIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES.) -ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE DIESEL WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS HIGH. -BULGE IN SEAL ABOVE WINDSHIELD FRAME WHERE CONVERTIBLE TOP SEATS AGAINST IT. -STEREO INTERFERENCE (LOUD CONTINUOUS BUZZING SOUND.) -AC THUMP (HIGH PRESSURE COOLANT LINE HITS FIREWALL WHEN COMPRESSOR STARTS.) -DRIVER DOOR RATTLE (AFTER THE WINDOW WAS WORKED ON BUT WAS NOT FIXED.) -LIGHT BURNED OUT IN AC PANEL (OCCURRED AFTER STEREO WAS REPLACE TO TRY TO ELIMINATE INTERFERENCE, BUT WAS NOT RESOLVED.) WE HAVE MAINTAINED AND KEPT OUR LOW MILEAGE MUSTANG IN EXCELLENT CONDITION OTHERWISE. WE DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO FROM HERE. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10692684March 7, 2015
SEAT BELTS
I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE NEXT DAY THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NEITHER RETRACT OR EXTEND TO A USABLE LENGTH . ONLINE I HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. MY LOCAL DEALER WANTS $287.00 PLUS LABOR OF APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS TO REPAIR AND FROM WHAT I'M SEEING THERE IS NO GUARANTEE IT WILL BE FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10680390February 1, 2015
SEAT BELTS, STRUCTURE:BODY
ALL 4 SEAT BELTS HAVE OPERATIONAL ISSUES. PASSENGER SEAT BELT FULLY EXTENDED AND WILL NOT RETRACT. DRIVER SIDE SEMI FUNCTIONAL WILL NOT RETRACT FULLY. BOTH REAR DIFFICULT TO RETRACT. CLEAR COAT ON FRONT BUMPER AND SPOILER COMING OFF IN SHEETS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661948December 3, 2014
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE I HEARD WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A POPPING SOUND AND THEN EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. I EXITED OFF THE INTERSTATE AND BEGAN DRIVING AGAIN. MY VEHICLE FELT AS IF MY TORQUE CONVERTER WAS SLIPPING AND THAT POWER WAS REDUCED FROM THE MOTOR. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL SERVICE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED ME THAT THE 3RD CYLINDER SPARK PLUG HAD SOMEHOW BACKED ITSELF OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD WHICH WAS CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER TO THAT CYLINDER. IT ALSO WAS STILL RECEIVING POWER VIA THE COIL PACK WHICH IN TURN MELTED THE RUBBER BOOT AND FRIED THE COIL PACK FOR THAT CYLINDER. THE RUBBER FROM THE BOOT RAN DOWN INTO THE SPARK PLUG AND FILLED THE HOLE. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE PUG BOOT AND COIL PACK FOR THE 3RD CYLINDER ALONG WITH THE LABOR OF REMOVING MELTED RUBBER FROM THE SPARK PLUG HOLE AND CYLINDER HEAD. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Mustang