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2003 Ford MustangProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 145 owner complaints about the 2003 Ford Mustang, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2003 Ford Mustang
59
CarFlaw IndexSolid year31% below the Mustang median · #26 of 41 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints14533 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage5kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 16, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Ford Mustang has problems

145 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling391
Vehicle speed control164
Seat belts160
Power train152
Air bags119
Electrical system105
Suspension91
Equipment70
Engine61
17 other systems396

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2003 Ford Mustang recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Recall 06V-108 · Apr 7, 2006 · 19,140 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD INTERFERE WITH THE PEDAL'S ABILITY TO RETURN TO AN IDLE POSITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

5kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 30 engine and engine cooling complaints. 97% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
24under 30k miles29under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Mustang year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Mustang median. How we score

'67'68'69'70'71'72'73'74'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Ford Mustang safety ratings

2003 Ford Mustang Convertible in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2003 Ford Mustang side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Ford Mustang, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCEEA05014 · closed Apr 10, 2006
    Led to recall 06V-108
  3. ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCEPE05038 · closed Sep 13, 2005
    No recall
In owners' words

What Mustang owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BLACK MICRO FIBERS WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE VENTS THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED.…
Complaint 10433862 · Nov 1, 2011
ALL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN STATING THAT VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 12/19/04 HAVE THIS PROBLEM. A ENGINE CYLINDER WITH NO COMPRESSION. FORD IS AWARE BUT DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IF FACT THEY WANT THE DAMAGED PART RETURN AND IT'S NOT FOR A CORE EXCHANGE SINCE THE NEW PART HAS TO BE BRAND…
Complaint 10263634 · Mar 30, 2009 · 104,965 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD POPPING SOUND. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. SHE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE NUMBER 8 SPARK PLUG HAD BECOME DETACHED.…
Complaint 10224623 · Apr 15, 2008 · 92,000 miles

Own a 2003 Mustang?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.