2003 Ford Mustang
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 145
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Engine and engine cooling
Campaigns on file for 2003
Opened by NHTSA
28% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 145 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 4 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 18 |
| 1985 | 16 |
| 1986 | 30 |
| 1987 | 38 |
| 1988 | 108 |
| 1989 | 111 |
| 1990 | 87 |
| 1991 | 78 |
| 1992 | 70 |
| 1993 | 102 |
| 1994 | 368 |
| 1995 | 603 |
| 1996 | 246 |
| 1997 | 176 |
| 1998 | 236 |
| 1999 | 213 |
| 2000 | 311 |
| 2001 | 173 |
| 2002 | 118 |
| 2003 | 145 |
| 2004 | 116 |
| 2005 | 705 |
| 2006 | 423 |
| 2007 | 615 |
| 2008 | 347 |
| 2009 | 181 |
| 2010 | 261 |
| 2011 | 466 |
| 2012 | 469 |
| 2013 | 271 |
| 2014 | 359 |
| 2015 | 439 |
| 2016 | 379 |
| 2017 | 268 |
| 2018 | 196 |
| 2019 | 152 |
| 2020 | 122 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 50 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 85 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine and engine cooling
28% · 41 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Seat belts
11% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing retractor.
Vehicle speed control
11% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.
Power train
10% · 15 reportsMost commonly citing manual transmission and automatic transmission.
Air bags
8% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
Consumer stated that when hit at 35MPH in the front driver side of the vehicle the air bags did not deploy. Dealer notified.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-24
The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision and the air bags failed to deploy. *jb the consumer had no where to go on the four lane highway when the other vehicle hit the consumer head on.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-28
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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I
2005-07-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-09-13 Accelerator pedal interference
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I
2005-09-13Engineering analysisClosed 2006-04-10 Accelerator pedal interference
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I
2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
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R
2006-04-26Vehicle speed control06V108000 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…
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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R
2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 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…
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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R
2006-08-04Fuel system, gasoline06E056000 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…
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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R
2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 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…
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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R
2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…
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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R
2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine and engine cooling: 41 reports on file for this year.
- Seat belts: 16 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 16 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 06V108000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E056000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2003 Ford Mustang reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Ford Mustang is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Mustang?
- The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Mustang have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.