Ford Mustang Problems: 26 Issues Every Owner Should Know

2000-2023 model years · 77,050+ owner reports · Updated April 2026

According to Au7o's analysis of 77,050+ owner reports, the 2000-2023 Ford Mustang has 26 documented known issues, with 9 rated critical. The most serious are Door Latch Pawl Spring Tab Failure (Recall 16S30) ($0-$0 repair), MT82 Manual Transmission Grinding and Shifting Issues ($150-$6,000 repair), 2.3L EcoBoost Head Gasket Failure and Coolant Intrusion ($1,500-$4,500 repair), EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion into Cylinders ($1,500-$4,500 repair), 4.6L Plastic Intake Manifold Coolant Crossover Cracking and Coolant Leaks ($600-$1,400 repair), Fuel Tank Cracking and Fuel Vapor/Fuel Leak at Tank Seam or EVAP Area ($900-$1,800 repair), Takata Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture Risk ($0-$0 repair), 2011-2014 3.7L V6 Electric Power Steering Assist Failure ($0-$2,200 repair) and S197 Passenger Seat Occupant Classification Sensor Fault Causing Airbag Warning and Disabled Passenger Airbag ($700-$1,800 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Door Latch Pawl Spring Tab Failure (Recall 16S30) with 50,000 owner reports. Across all issues, repair costs range from $0 to $7,000. at .

All 26 Known Issues

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When Issues Typically Appear

Takata Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture Risk

0K-200K

Coyote Engine Tick/Knock at Startup

5K-8K

MT82 Manual Transmission Grinding/Hard Shifts

15K-20K

S197 Hood Corrosion and Paint Bubbling at Front Edge/Aluminum Panel

20K-100K

2001 Cobra and 2003-2004 Mustang GT/Cobra Manual Transmission Throwout Bearing and Clutch Release Noise/Failure

20K-90K

2011-2014 3.7L V6 Electric Power Steering Assist Failure

30K-120K

2005-2010 Smart Junction Box Water Intrusion Causing Wiper, Lighting, and Electrical Malfunctions

30K-150K

Fuel Tank Cracking and Fuel Vapor/Fuel Leak at Tank Seam or EVAP Area

40K-120K

S197 Passenger Seat Occupant Classification Sensor Fault Causing Airbag Warning and Disabled Passenger Airbag

40K-120K

4.6L Plastic Intake Manifold Coolant Crossover Cracking and Coolant Leaks

50K-120K

Front Strut Mount and Sway Bar End Link Clunking on S197 Suspension

50K-120K

4.0L Cologne V6 Thermostat Housing Cracking and Coolant Leaks

60K-140K

050K100K150K200K mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Ford Mustang problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 77,050+ owner reports, the 2000-2023 Ford Mustang has 26 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Door Latch Pawl Spring Tab Failure (Recall 16S30), MT82 Manual Transmission Grinding and Shifting Issues, 2.3L EcoBoost Head Gasket Failure and Coolant Intrusion. Of these, 9 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Ford Mustang reliable?

The 2000-2023 Ford Mustang has 26 known issues documented across 77,050+ owner reports. 9 issues are rated critical: Door Latch Pawl Spring Tab Failure (Recall 16S30) and MT82 Manual Transmission Grinding and Shifting Issues and 2.3L EcoBoost Head Gasket Failure and Coolant Intrusion and EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion into Cylinders and 4.6L Plastic Intake Manifold Coolant Crossover Cracking and Coolant Leaks and Fuel Tank Cracking and Fuel Vapor/Fuel Leak at Tank Seam or EVAP Area and Takata Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture Risk and 2011-2014 3.7L V6 Electric Power Steering Assist Failure and S197 Passenger Seat Occupant Classification Sensor Fault Causing Airbag Warning and Disabled Passenger Airbag. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Ford Mustang problems?

Repair costs for known Ford Mustang issues range from $0 to $7,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Door Latch Pawl Spring Tab Failure (Recall 16S30), typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year Ford Mustang is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Ford Mustang. Based on owner reports, issues are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2000-2023 Ford Mustang with 26 documented issues from 77,050+ owner reports.