The 2004 Ford Mustang has 6 safety recalls and 116 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (34 complaints).
Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints116filed by owners
Crashes · fires20 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported in complaints
2004 Ford Mustang in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 09E025000 · May 11, 2009 · 42,540 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009 · 16,270 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 08E050000 · Aug 11, 2008 · 1,921 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline
NHTSA recall 06E056000 · Jun 13, 2006 · 58,640 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 06E049000 · May 24, 2006 · 27,176 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
NHTSA recall 06V108000 · Apr 7, 2006 · 19,140 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2004 Ford Mustang Convertible
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2004 Ford Mustang 2-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Mustang
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Mustang
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.9 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Mustang
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Mustang
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.9 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Mustang
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Mustang
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.6 L · 8 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Mustang
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Mustang
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.6 L · 8 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal; Cruise control
Suspension Front › Control arm › Lower arm; Front › Macpherson strut
7
0
0
0
6,308 mi
Tires Pressure monitoring and regulating systems; Sidewall
7
0
0
0
40,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Exhaust system; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
6
0
0
2
12,750 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
5
1
0
0
12,789 mi
Structure Body › Door; Body › Hood
4
0
0
0
1,600 mi
Equipment Electrical › Anti-theft devices
4
0
0
0
7,000 mi
Steering Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid; Hydraulic power assist › Pump
3
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
3
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jul 3, 2026Engine Po442 Evaporative Emmison system leak. Heat catalyst egr set malfunctions. Primary and secondary a/c system deficiencies.
Jan 13, 2024Power train › Driveline › Differential unit See attached document for complaint
Jul 31, 2013Service brakes CASUAL DRIVER. NOTICED ACCELERATION AND COASTING/ROLLING WERE SLUGGISH. MECHANIC NOTED BRAKE AREA TEMP ON FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WAS OVER 400 DEGREES. THE BRAKES ON THAT WHEEL WOULD NOT RELEASE COMPLETELY AND CAUSED CONTINUOUS FRICTION PRODUCING OVERHEATING. (I NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE TO SUBMIT THIS BRAKE PROBLEM TO THIS BOARD. ) THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TOTAL FRONT BRAKES AND MASTER CYLINDER SYSTEM. COST OVER $1100 TO DO THIS BACK IN 2013. IT IS NOW JAN 2021 AND I STILL HAVE LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON MY BABY MUSTANG.
Mar 3, 2020Fuel/propulsion system NEVER KNOW WHEN CAR IS FULLY GAS UP ALWAYS PUT GAS IN AT 1/4 TO 1/2 TANK, WILL OVERFILL IF NOT VERY CAREFULLY SO REALLY JUST PUT NO MORE THAN 10 TO 15 DALLAS NEVER SHOWS FULL. DO NOT WANT TO OVERFLOW ON ME FOR ONE TWO IT'S BAD FOR MY BABY #1 MUSTANG
Mar 1, 2016 · crashUnknown or other BACK ON MARCH 1, 2016 I BELIEVE I WAS COMING TO A STOP LIGHT I APPLIED MY FOOT ON THE BREAK AND THE CAR SEEM TO WANNA KEEP INCHING FORWARD INCHING FORWARD I HAD AT THIS TIME CONTINUED TO PRESS DOWN ON THE BREAK AS SOON AS I KNEW IT I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET PRACTICALLY DURING A RED LIGHT AND WAS SIDESWIPED. AFTER LOOKING UNDER TO SEE WHAT WAS CAUSING THAT IT SEEMS TO BE MY GAS PEDAL WAS HUNG UP ON A PIECE OF CARPETING ON THE FLOOR OF THE CAR CAUSING MY GAS PEDAL TO BECOME STUCK TO THAT CARPET I HAD TO CUT THE PIECE OF CARPETING AWAY FROM THAT TO STOP THAT FROM DOING THAT LATER TO FIND OUT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL WHEN I TOOK MY CAR FOR THE RECALL THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS ONLY ON…
Mar 1, 2017 · crashUnknown or other GAS PEDAL GOT CAUGHT ON A PIECE OF CARPET WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO ENTER INTO AN INTERSECTION ON A RED LIGHT AND CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. WHICH THEN MADE MY INSURANCE JUMP. I REMEMBER THIS DAY VERY WELL IT WAS THE DAY BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY I CAME UP TO THE RED LIGHT AND STOPPED THE CAR SEEM TO WANT TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD AS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BREAK IT WAS STILL A RED LIGHT MY CAR WAS MOVING FORWARD CARS WERE BEEPING AT ME AS I KEPT INCHING INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET MY CAR WAS HIT IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER MUSTANG. I EXPLAIN TO THE POLICE OFFICER THAT WHAT SEEM TO HAPPEN WAS MY CARPET SEEM TO HAVE GOTTEN CAUGHT ON THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER LATER LEARNING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL…
Apr 13, 2019 · 69,000 milesService brakes ABS BRAKE LIGHT IS ON THIS IS UNSAFE IN WET OR SNOWY CONDITIONS
Nov 22, 2018 · 169,865 milesVehicle speed control TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME CAUGHT IN THE FLOORMAT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,865.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY…
EA05014 · opened Sep 13, 2005 · closed Apr 10, 2006 · led to recall 06V108000ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE ON APRIL 3, 2006, FORD MOTOR COMPANY SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND FLOOR CARPETING IN APPROXIMATELY 19,140 MODEL YEAR 2003 AND 2004 MUSTANG COBRA VEHICLES (FORD RECALL NO. 06S43/NHTSA RECALL 06V-108, COPY ATTACHED).FORD WILL RECALL THE VEHICLES TO INSTALL A SHIELD BENEATH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO PREVENT THE PIVOT PIN ON THE REAR SURFACE OF THE PEDAL FROM COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE FLOOR CARPETING DURING HEAVY THROTTLE APPLICATION.IN THOSE VEHICLES WHERE THE FLOOR CARPETING DOES NOT FIT FLUSH WITH THE SHEET METAL, THE UNIQUE REAR SURFACE PROFILE OF THE MUSTANG COBRA PEDAL MAY ALLOW THE PIVOT PIN OF THE PEDAL TO CATCH IN THE CUTOUT ON THE FLOOR CARPETING BEHIND THE PEDAL, INTERFERING WITH THE PEDAL'S ABILITY TO RETURN; THE RESULT OF WHICH COULD BE UNEXPECTED, CONTINUED…
PE05038 · opened Jul 7, 2005 · closed Sep 13, 2005ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE PE05-038 WAS OPENED ON JULY 7, 2005, WITH 11 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF THROTTLE STICKING DUE TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE CARPET.ODI HAS RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL 24 COMPLAINTS SINCE THE PE WAS OPENED.DURING PE05-038, FORD SUPPLIED COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY INFORMATION REGARDING 86 ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE IN MODEL YEAR 2003 TO 2004 MUSTANG COBRA VEHICLES.EIGHTY-FIVE OF THESE HAD CONCERNS OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING, 70 OF WHICH WERE ANALYZED AS BEING RELATED TO CARPET INTERFERENCE.ODI IS CONTINUING ITS ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSAL FACTORS IN THE REMAINING 15 INCIDENTS.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.