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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
120,880 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Ford Mustang engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Ford Mustang Owner Comments

problem #5

Apr 052019

Mustang

  • 195,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Lake Wales, FL, USA

problem #4

May 152017

Mustang

  • 167,000 miles
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.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #3

Mar 172003

Mustang 6-cyl

  • 100 miles
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

- Asheville, NC, USA

problem #2

Dec 012014

Mustang

  • 165,000 miles
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.

- Indian Trail, NC, USA

problem #1

Jun 282014

Mustang

  • 77,300 miles
Loud pop noise and vehicle speed very quickly decreased. Engine ran extremely rough. Vehicle towed to Ford dealer.

- Titusville, FL, USA

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