Ford Mustang 2005–2014 problems by year and mileage
5th generation (S197)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20264,425 complaints, 2,378 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
- 200548kmedian
- 200645kmedian
- 200736kmedian
- 200828kmedian
- 200940kmedian
- 201042kmedian
- 201122kmedian
- 201223kmedian
- 201340kmedian
- 201424kmedian
The 2005 Ford Mustang
Close- Median failure report
- 48,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 868
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2005
- Airbag system284 reports · median 60,000 mi
- Electrical system283 reports · median 60,000 mi
- Fuel system80 reports · median 25,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Ford Mustang
Close- Median failure report
- 45,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 575
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2006
- Airbag system292 reports · median 72,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control55 reports · median 31,000 mi
- Body structure50 reports · median 52,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Ford Mustang
Close- Median failure report
- 36,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 615
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2007
- Airbag system348 reports · median 70,000 mi
- Body structure51 reports · median 38,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control43 reports · median 55,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Ford Mustang
Close- Median failure report
- 28,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 356
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2008
- Airbag system241 reports · median 39,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline37 reports · median 11,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control19 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Ford Mustang
Close- Median failure report
- 40,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 181
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2009
- Airbag system135 reports · median 45,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control22 reports
- Electrical system7 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Ford Mustang
Close- Median failure report
- 42,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 265
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2010
- Airbag system180 reports
- Body structure17 reports
- Transmission and driveline15 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Tires — markings
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Ford Mustang
Close- Median failure report
- 22,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 466
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2011
- Transmission and driveline200 reports · median 5,000 mi
- Airbag system125 reports · median 58,000 mi
- Engine48 reports · median 58,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2012 Ford Mustang
Close- Median failure report
- 23,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 469
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2012
- Transmission and driveline177 reports · median 12,000 mi
- Airbag system158 reports
- Throttle and speed control35 reports · median 31,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Power train — automatic transmission · Exterior lighting — back up lights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2013 Ford Mustang
Close- Median failure report
- 40,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 271
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2013
- Airbag system145 reports
- Transmission and driveline48 reports · median 57,000 mi
- Engine22 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Exterior lighting — back up lights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2014 Ford Mustang
Close- Median failure report
- 24,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 359
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2014
- Airbag system245 reports · median 24,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline30 reports
- Steering22 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2005; earliest: the 2011, and the 2005 is 6 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2005–2014 Ford Mustang reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 37,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 99,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 2,378
- Recalls
- 10
Most reported
- Airbag system48.7% of complaints · median 49,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline14.0% of complaints · median 10,000 mi
- Electrical system10.5% of complaints · median 58,000 mi
Owners filed 4,425 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005–2014 Ford Mustang; the airbag system leads with 48.7% of them, and half of the 2,378 that record an odometer reading came by 37,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 9,000 to 68,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2005–2014 Ford Mustang last?
On the 2005–2014 Ford Mustang, half of the 2,378 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 37,000 miles and 90% by 99,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
52 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 10 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Mustang reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Ford Mustang 2005–2014 · 2,378 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 432 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 10 complaints (0.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,000
- 25%
- 9,000
- Median
- 37,000
- 75%
- 68,000
- 90%
- 99,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 432 | 18.2% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 187 | 7.9% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 114 | 4.8% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 98 | 4.1% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 129 | 5.4% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 82 | 3.4% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 88 | 3.7% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 107 | 4.5% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 110 | 4.6% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 86 | 3.6% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 106 | 4.5% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 85 | 3.6% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 93 | 3.9% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 96 | 4.0% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 79 | 3.3% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 82 | 3.4% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 50 | 2.1% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 58 | 2.4% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 37 | 1.6% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 25 | 1.1% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 53 | 2.2% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 21 | 0.9% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 18 | 0.8% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 17 | 0.7% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 21 | 0.9% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 12 | 0.5% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 16 | 0.7% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 15 | 0.6% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 6 | 0.3% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 8 | 0.3% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 9 | 0.4% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 6 | 0.3% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 10 | 0.4% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Mustang problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Ford Mustang 2005–2014
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Transmission and driveline621 reportsmedian 10,000middle half 2,000–45,000
- Fuel system152 reportsmedian 14,000middle half 1,000–58,000
- Body structure262 reportsmedian 38,000middle half 15,000–66,000
- Throttle and speed control319 reportsmedian 43,000middle half 13,000–70,000
- Airbag system2,153 reportsmedian 49,000middle half 21,000–85,000
- Electrical system465 reportsmedian 58,000middle half 37,000–78,000
- Engine189 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 33,000–76,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 2,153 | 48.7% | 49,000 | 21,000–85,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 621 | 14.0% | 10,000 | 2,000–45,000 |
| Electrical system | 465 | 10.5% | 58,000 | 37,000–78,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 319 | 7.2% | 43,000 | 13,000–70,000 |
| Body structure | 262 | 5.9% | 38,000 | 15,000–66,000 |
| Engine | 189 | 4.3% | 60,000 | 33,000–76,000 |
| Fuel system | 152 | 3.4% | 14,000 | 1,000–58,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 133 | 3.0% | 52,000 | 23,000–76,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 131 | 3.0% | 58,000 | 36,000–76,000 |
| Steering | 108 | 2.4% | 40,000 | 11,000–68,000 |
Known problems with the 2005–2014 Mustang
Transmission 2011–2014
MT82 6-speed manual notchy and grinding shifts, gear clash, 1-2 nibble and high-rpm lockout, worst when cold; Ford issued multiple TSBs revising the fluid, shifter and internals.
Engine 2005–2010
4.6L 3V variable cam timing phaser rattle and timing chain tensioner/guide wear producing a cold-start rattle.
Engine 2005–2010
4.0L SOHC V6 timing chain guide and tensioner wear (long chain runs to the rear-mounted cam drive), causing rattle and eventual timing failure.
Before you buy a 2005–2014 Mustang: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,378 mileage-tagged complaints, 10 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation. Run the VIN before you drive it home — the fix is free at an authorized dealer.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 10 campaigns cover this generation.
- Ask for transmission and driveline repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 10,000 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Check transmission on 2011–2014 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check engine on 2005–2010 cars.
- Years differ here: from 181 to 868 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Mustang problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi68% below | At 90k mi88% below | At 120k mi95% below | At 150k mi98% below | At 200k mi100% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 21,000–85,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 2,000–45,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 37,000–78,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 13,000–70,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 15,000–66,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 33,000–76,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel system | 1,000–58,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Ford Mustang 2005–2014 · 2,378 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 68% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 88% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 95% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2005–2014 Ford Mustang recalls (10)
NHTSA records 10 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
5 of these carry a severe advisory — do not drive or park outside; check those first by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (7), the transmission and driveline (1), the exterior lighting (1) (why one area can repeat).
Feb 2021 · 2005–2014 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury…
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17…
Jan 2019 · 2010–2014 · Air Bags do not driveAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The…
Jan 2018 · 2009–2010, 2013 · Air Bags do not driveAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Owners…
Jan 2017 · 2005–2009, 2012 · Air Bags do not driveAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim…
May 2016 · 2005–2011 · Air Bags do not driveAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford…
Apr 2016 · 2012 · Power TrainAn unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to…
What can happen. An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer…
May 2015 · 2005–2014 · Air Bags do not driveIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2014 Mustang vehicles manufactured April 6, 2004, to June 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 GT vehicles manufactured February 20, 2004, to September 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator, free of charge. The…
May 2012 · 2012–2013 · Exterior LightingIf this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever…
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150, 2012 expedition and Lincoln navigator, and 2012-2013 Mustang vehicles, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard nos. 102, "Transmission shift lever…
What can happen. If this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse “r” position and the vehicle’s transmission does go in reverse, the “r” may…
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the trs as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on june 11, 2012. Owners may contact Ford motor company customer…
Jan 2010 · 2010 · TiresInflating tires to a pressure other than specified on the original labels may have an adverse effect on…
The defect. Certain model year 2010 Mustang shelby gt 500 vehicles manufactured between october 28 and december 3, 2009, fail to conform to the tire loading and information requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." The rear…
What can happen. Inflating tires to a pressure other than specified on the original labels may have an adverse effect on vehicle braking, and handling, and stability in an emergency maneuver increasing the risk of a…
The free fix. Ford will mail owners the correct tire label along with instructions of where and how to affix the label. The safety campaign began on february 11, 2010. Owners may contact Ford motor company…
Feb 2008 · 2005–2008 · Air BagsDuring an air bag deployment, if a small female in the front passenger seat is not wearing the safety belt…
The defect. Ford is recalling 434,593 my 2008 Mustang vehicles for failing to comply with one of the neck injury requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "Occupant crash protection," for an unbelted 5th percentile female sitting in the passenger…
What can happen. During an air bag deployment, if a small female in the front passenger seat is not wearing the safety belt, and has the seat in the full forward position, there may be an increased potential for a…
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the restraint control module free of charge. The recall began on march 3, 2008. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332 or through email to www.Ownerconnection.Com.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 4,425 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 252 (5.7%)
- Fires
- 27
- Injury reports
- 149
- Fatality reports
- 4
Mustang problems by model year
The 2005 drew the most complaints of this generation, 868, most of them about the airbag system, and the 2009 the fewest, 181. A typical year drew about 412.
That makes the 2005 stand out at roughly 2.1 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 868 | 553 | 48,000 | Airbag system (284) | 5 |
| 2006 | 575 | 284 | 45,000 | Airbag system (292) | 5 |
| 2007 | 615 | 304 | 36,000 | Airbag system (348) | 5 |
| 2008 | 356 | 151 | 28,000 | Airbag system (241) | 5 |
| 2009 | 181 | 72 | 40,000 | Airbag system (135) | 5 |
| 2010 | 265 | 96 | 42,000 | Airbag system (180) | 6 |
| 2011 | 466 | 338 | 22,000 | Transmission and driveline (200) | 4 |
| 2012 | 469 | 307 | 23,000 | Transmission and driveline (177) | 6 |
| 2013 | 271 | 120 | 40,000 | Airbag system (145) | 5 |
| 2014 | 359 | 153 | 24,000 | Airbag system (245) | 3 |
What Mustang owners reported
The contact owned a 2026 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH with the top down, the touch screen washed out due to the glare from the sun on the screen. The contact pulled over to operate the screen. The screen was not close enough while driving, which caused the driver to remove the hand from…
2006 · 600 miles · Equipment
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to a low gear. The check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated after the first failure. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road…
2014 · 138,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied or while driving, the vehicle accelerated independently. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then was towed the following day to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the contact was…
2014 · 175,000 miles · Throttle and speed control
The contact owned a 2013 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another driver failed to yield while entering the roadway, abruptly cutting in front of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact was unable to stop in time and collided with the rear driver's side passenger…
2013 · 113,000 miles · Airbag system
Built from 2,378 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Mustang generations
- Mustang 1994–2004 1,003 reports with mileage, most about the engine and its cooling system
- Mustang 2015–2023 834 reports with mileage, most about the engine