RoadVitals

2008 Ford GT500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Latest Dec 8, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Ford GT500, most frequently naming the transmission, powertrain (other) and airbags categories. 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Transmission444.4%
  • Powertrain (other)333.3%
  • Airbags111.1%
  • Body & structure111.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 8, 2017

MY TREMEC TR56 TRANSMISSION TEARS UP EVERY 600 MI. FORD AND TREMEC ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM WITH SYNCHRONIZERS BREAKING, THEN CAUSING OTHER PARTS TO BREAK BECAUSE OF METAL PIECES MOVING INSIDE TRANSMISSION. I DON'T DRIVE MY SHELBY EVERY DAY. IT ONLY HAS 8054 MILES ON SPEEDOMETER. IF I HAD DROVE MY SHELBY EVERY DAY FOR 30 MILES ( 8054 DIVIDED BY 30 MILES DRIVEN 7 DAYS A WEEK} THIS COMES UP TO 268 DAYS FOR TRANSMISSION TO TEAR UP 3 TIMES. THE FIRST REBUILD WAS AT 6851 MILES THE SECOND REBUILD WAS 511 MILES LATER AND THE THIRD BREAKDOWN WAS 511 MILES LATER. THIS TR6060 TRANSMISSION IS BREAKING DOWN IN G.M. VEHICLES ALSO.

NHTSA ID
11053423
Incident
Dec 5, 2017
Mileage
8,054 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 6, 2015

(AFFECTED PARTS: MANUAL TRANSMISSION, FLY WHEEL, CLUTCH) TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75MPH IN FAST LANE DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC SEVERAL VEHICLES AHEAD THERE WAS A SUDDEN ACCIDENT SLAMMMED ON BRAKES DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO STOP TRANSFER TRUCK BEHIND ME LOCKED DOWN BRAKES TO AVOID BEING SANDWICHED ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES PRESSED GAS RPMS INCREASED TO REDLINE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE CLUTCH BEGAN SLIPPING ON FLYWHEEL HAD TO DOWN SHIFT AND FEATHER THE CLUTCH AND GAS TO GET VEHICLE MOVING WAS STUCK SIDE WAYS IN TWO LANES WITH APPROACHING TRAFFIC AT HIGH SPEEDS TSB ON VEHICLE FOR SAME ISSUE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO BEING OUT OF WARRANTY RANGE(36MO/36000MI) THIS IS AN EXTREEMLY COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES FORD REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE NOR ISSUE A RECALL COULD HAVE LOST THE LIFE OF MYSELF AND LOVED ONES

NHTSA ID
10670546
Incident
Nov 19, 2014
Mileage
11,865 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 18, 2014

I OWN A 2008 FORD GT500 I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR NOT SENDING THE PROPER SIGNAL TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG FOR DEPLOYMENT I CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO DISCUSS HAVING THEM MEET A KNOWN RECALL WITH THIS AIRBAG SYSTEM THERE WAS A REPAIR MADE IN 2010 TO THE UNIT HOW EVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE AFTER THE INITIAL REQUEST TO CORRECT THE KNOWN PROBLEM THE SUPERVISOR I SPOKE WITH STATED FORDS FINAL DECISION WOULD BE THAT THEY KNEW THE PROBLEM EXISTED BUT WERE ONLY REQUIRED TO INITIATE A REPAIR ONCE AND EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG STILL EXISTED THEY WERE NOT OBLIGATED AND WOULD NOT MAKE THE REPAIR OR CONTINUE TO DISCUSS CORRECTING THE ISSUE I REQUESTED TO SPEAK WITH SUPERVISORS SUPERIOR AN WERE REFUSED ANY FURTHER ANSWERS OR HELP AND WAS THEN HUNG UP ON THE KNOWN AIRBAG ISSUE INCREASES THE CHANCE OF NECK INJURIES DURING DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG SHOULD THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOY AT ALL OBVIOUSLY FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS NO CONCERN FOR CONTINUING TO PUT PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER BY REFUSING TO REPAIR A KNOWN ISSUE WITH ITS PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10573263
Incident
Mar 18, 2014
Mileage
4,300 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 11, 2014

2008 FORD SHELBY GT500 - CLUTCH ASSY (AR3Z-7B546-AD) BEGAN SLIPPING BADLY AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 26793 MILES. VEHICLE CAME OUT OF WARRANTY SERVICE / REPLACEMENT WITH A VERY PRONOUNCED VIBRATION IN THE POWER-TRAIN. THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS "BREAK-IN" VIBRATIONS FOR THE NEW CLUTCH (SAME PART NUMBER). AT 43719 MILES (AFTER 16926 MILES OF UNABUSIVE AND NORMAL DRIVING / NORMAL WEAR & TARE), THE CLUTCH REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY HAS AGAIN FAILED INTERNALLY, WITH VERY MINIMAL WEAR (HOT SPOTS) EVIDENT ON THE EXTERNAL CLUTCH PLATE SURFACE. I ASKED TO SEE THE CLUTCH BEING REPLACED. AS I EXAMINED IT AND ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PART NUMBERS, THE FORD SERVICE TECHNICIAN ADMITTED TO ME THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY NO LONGER USES THIS SPECIFIC CLUTCH PART NUMBER, DUE TO A NOTED SERIES OF CHRONIC MANUFACTURE AND SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE CLUTCH, AND YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED TO DATE. THE FORD TECHNICIAN ALSO SAID THE CLUTCH WOULD BE REPLACED THIS TIME WITH A NEWER CLUTCH (7R3Z-7L596-A) AT CUSTOMER COST (MY COST), BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, ALTHOUGH THERE WOULD NOW BE A 2YR/UNLIMITED MILES WARRANTY ON THE NEW PARTS AND WORK (DO THE MATH: THERE IS A VERY SERIOUS DISPARITY THERE CONSIDERING THERE WERE ONLY 16926 MILES ON THE LAST CLUTCH WHICH REPLACED, AND IS NOW NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY). ADDITIONALLY, THE FORD SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN CHRONIC MAINTENANCE ISSUES WITH THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLIES IN NEWER MODEL YEAR MUSTANGS (2010 TO 2014), AND THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY THAT I AM NOW GETTING AS A REPLACEMENT? THERE IS A SAFETY & MANUFACTURING ISSUE HERE THAT FORD HAS THUS FAR ATTEMPTED TO PASS ALONG TO ITS CUSTOMER, AND THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETELY FIXED, ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION FROM THE LOCAL FORD SERVICE TECHNICIAN I SPOKE WITH, WHO IS NOW WORKING ON MY VEHICLE. ISSUE A RECALL! *TR

NHTSA ID
10559445
Incident
Apr 8, 2011
Mileage
26,793 mi
Transmission
Filed Nov 17, 2010

GT500 TRANSMISSION WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET INTO 1ST, 2ND AND REVERSE. I OFTEN HAD TO SKIP 2ND GEAR BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. CLUTCH CHATTER WHEN RELEASED CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME EXCESSIVE OVER TIME. CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP IN SUMMER OF 2010 AND TALKED TO SERVICE PERSONNEL ABOUT THE ISSUES AND WAS TOLD OTHER DRIVERS EXPERIENCING SAME SYMPTOMS AND THEY ARE NORMAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MY VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY CLUTCH FAILED FORCING ME OFF THE ROAD. CLUTCH DIAGNOSED AS INOPERABLE AT 16,000 MILES. FORD REFUSED TO WARRANTY STATING IT'S A WEAR ITEM DESPITE ISSUING 4 TSB'S AND REPLACING THE OEM PARTS WITH NEW DESIGNS TO ADDRESS FLAWS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10366624
Incident
Oct 26, 2010
Mileage
16,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 18, 2009

I OWN A 2008 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT500 WHICH I PAID $50,000 FOR. I HAVE 22,000 EASILY DRIVEN, WELL MAINTAINED, HIGHWAY MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE DRIVEN EITHER 4 SPEED, 5 SPEED, OR 6 SPEED MUSTANGS FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS. I AM NO NOVICE AT DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION CAR, NOR AM I A NOVICE AT ALL THINGS MUSTANG. DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING, WHILE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY FROM AN ON RAMP, I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO BLEND INTO TRAFFIC. IN DOING SO, THE CAR LOST SPEED AND THE RPMS WENT TO APPROX. 5000. I QUICKLY LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO KEEP FROM GETTING RAN OVER IN THE FAR RIGHT HAND LANE. AFTER FEATHERING THE THROTTLE, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR UP TO SPEED, BUT THE PROBLEM EXISTED THROUGHOUT MY 40 MILE DRIVE, ESPECIALLY EVIDENT WHEN I ENTERED THE CITY OF MY DESTINATION. IT WOULD NOT LAUNCH FROM A STANDSTILL WITHOUT MUCH EFFORT, CLUTCH PLAY AND THROTTLE PLAY. I HAVE LOST A CLUTCH BEFORE, AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO ME. AFTER ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION, I IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE WITH OTHER GT500 OWNERS BECAUSE THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO ME OR TO A CAR WITH 22,000 MILES. COME TO FIND OUT THERE ARE A TON OF 2007-09 GT500 OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS. FORD ISSUED OR SOMEONE ISSUED A TSB 09-9-2 ON THIS AND ONE BEFORE IT. APPARENTLY IT IS AN INHERENT ISSUE WITH THE FLYWHEEL, PRESSURE PLATE, TRANSMISSION, OUTPUT SHAFT DESIGN MATED UP WITH THE DRIVESHAFT WHICH CAN CAUSE THE FLYWHEEL TO WARP AND EVERYTHING ELSE TO BE DESTROYED, IN SOME CASES, EVEN THE TRANSMISSION. NOT ONLY DO I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS ONE COULD BE RAN OVER IF THE CAR WILL NOT GO WHEN SUPPOSED TO AND EVERYONE ELSE DOES, BUT IT IS ALSO AN ISSUE THAT FORD OBVIOUSLY KNOWS ABOUT DUE TO THE FIXES THEY PUT IN THE 2010 MODEL CARS. I BELIEVE A RECALL TO FIX THE FLYWHEEL ISSUE IS VERY WARRANTED AND I BELIEVE IF THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD, THAT THE OLD ONE SHOULD BE FIXED AND RETURNED TO THE OWNER BECAUSE IT HAS THE VIN ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10284519
Incident
Sep 18, 2009
Mileage
22,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 3, 2009

CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING WATER INSIDE SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I JUST TOOK IT BACK FOR THE THIRD TIME TO BE FIXED. THEY CALLED IN AN OUTSIDE COMPANY TO FIX MY LEAKS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10253669
Incident
Aug 26, 2008
Mileage
1,891 mi
Transmission
Filed Nov 24, 2008

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

NHTSA ID
10249737
Incident
Nov 22, 2008
Mileage
7,100 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

AS-21769

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; POWER TRAIN; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

FORD: IF THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT LACK OF POWER, SURGE, OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WILL OVERRIDE ACCELERATION. *RM

19997

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

MUSTANG VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLAMPS CAN NOT BE RETROFITTED NOR DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS (DRL) ENABLED. *NJ

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.