2003 FORD MUSTANG — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

177

Owner Complaints

23 Crashes 6 Fires

6

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

17

Service Bulletins

2

Investigations

Overview of the 2003 FORD MUSTANG

The 2003 FORD MUSTANG has received a total of 177 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 17 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingengine (23 complaints), Seat Belts (14 complaints), and Engine And Engine Cooling (11 complaints).

Recalls for the 2003 FORD MUSTANG

NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2003 FORD MUSTANG, potentially affecting up to 165,687 vehicles.

Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

| 42,540 vehicles affected

Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

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Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 16,270 vehicles affected

Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

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Recall 08E050000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

| 1,921 vehicles affected

Defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

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Recall 06E056000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

| 58,640 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

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Recall 06E049000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 27,176 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

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Recall 06V108000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

| 19,140 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN MUSTANG COBRA PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH FLOOR CARPETING DURING HEAVY THROTTLE APPLICATION. THE UNIQUE SURFACE PROFILE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY CATCH IN THE CUTOUT ON THE FLOOR CARPETING BEHIND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Consequence: THIS COULD INTERFERE WITH THE PEDAL'S ABILITY TO RETURN TO AN IDLE POSITION. UNEXPECTED, CONTINUED THROTTLE APPLICATION AND/OR INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE CUTOUT IN THE CARPET BEHIND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

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Owner Complaints for the 2003 FORD MUSTANG

177 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 FORD MUSTANG. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 23
Seat Belts
Complaints: 14
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 11
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 10 1 Fire
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 9 3 Crashes
Electrical System
Complaints: 8 1 Crash 3 Fires
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 6 4 Crashes 4 Injuries
Air Bags
Complaints: 5 4 Crashes 4 Injuries
Equipment
Complaints: 5
Suspension
Complaints: 5 1 Crash
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 5 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Engine
Complaints: 4 1 Crash
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Fire
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 4
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 4 1 Crash
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 3 1 Crash
Power Train
Complaints: 3
Structurebody
Complaints: 3 1 Crash
Tires
Complaints: 3
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 2
Power Trainclutch Assembly
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 2
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 2
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 2
Tiressidewall
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 2
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 2
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingengineother Fuel Typesturbosupercharger
Complaints: 1
Equipment Adaptivemobility
Complaints: 1
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 1
Equipmentrecreational Vehicletrailerlpg Systemswater Heater
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingbrake Lightsswitch
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 1
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 1
Parking Brake
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaft
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Power Traindriveline
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblypower Adjust
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Electric
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 1
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
Complaints: 1
Structure
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrearaxlenon Powered Axle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 1
Wheels
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11713803 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles
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?
#11689960 | STRUCTURE:BODY | | N/A miles
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.
#11689960 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
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.
#11647763 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles Fire
Burning of terminal on brake light switch wiring. Brake lights left on.
#11647763 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | | N/A miles Fire
Burning of terminal on brake light switch wiring. Brake lights left on.

View all Engine And Engine Coolingengine complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2003 FORD MUSTANG

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 FORD MUSTANG in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 FORD MUSTANG

Ford Motor Company has issued 17 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 FORD MUSTANG. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

041003 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

EXHAUST LEAK - CRACKED OR SEPARATED RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST PIPE - 3.8L AND 3.9L ENGINES. *TT

04198 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

MANUAL TRANSMISSION HARD TO SHIFT INTO FIRST/REVERSE FROM A STOP. *TT

18229 — STEERING

POP/CLUNK OR SQUEALING NOISE FROM THE STEERING GEAR WHEN TURNING, DRIVING OVER BUMPS, OR BRAKING. OASIS. *TT

17542 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

LACK OF POWER ON DECELERATION. *MJ

17497 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

OVERHEATING CONDITION - COOLING SYSTEM FILL/BLEED PROCEDURE. *TT

17506 — SUSPENSION:FRONT

FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE. *TT

03243 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR LEVER STUCK IN PARK, UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK. OVERDRIVE FUNCTION INOPERATIVE. *TT

17248 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

DRIVELINE VIBRATION. COBRA MODELS. *TT

17251 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SOME MACH 1 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT HIGH IDLE CONDITION WITH THE THROTTLE CLOSED. *TT

16995 — SUSPENSION:FRONT

FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE. *TT

Showing 10 of 17 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 FORD MUSTANG

NHTSA has opened 2 investigations into potential safety defects in the 2003 FORD MUSTANG.

Investigation EA05014 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Closed

Opened:

ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE

Investigation PE05038 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Closed

Opened:

ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE

Other Model Years of the FORD MUSTANG

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Other FORD Models

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