2001 Ford Mustang Convertible Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Ford Mustang Convertible, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical313.6%
- Exterior lighting313.6%
- Fuel system313.6%
- Engine29.1%
- Airbags29.1%
- Body & structure29.1%
- Driver assistance29.1%
- Other / unspecified29.1%
- Visibility14.5%
- Tires & wheels14.5%
- Brakes14.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FILL TUBE BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE NOZZLE INPUT HAS RUSTED THRU THE ENTIRE LENGTH, WORST UNDER THE PLASTIC/RUBBER WRAP AT THE TANK INLET, CAUSING FUEL TO SPILL ONTO THE GROUND WHEN FILLING THE TANK. DEALER ESTIMATES REPAIR COST AT $340. ON LINE INQUIRIES REVEALED "MANY-MANY" OTHER COMPLAINTS. NO FORD RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS. IF PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS , THE BATTERY RUNS DOWN. CHECKED FOR HEAD/PARKING/BRAKES LIGHTS LEFT ON AS WELL AS THOSE INSIDE PASSENGER AREA AND IN TRUNK. NONE FOUND. MECHANIC BELIEVES DUE TO RADIO/CD PLAYER AMP DRAW TO SUPPORT CLOCK (ETC) EVEN WHILE OFF???? INSTALLED NEW BATTERY, OK FOR AWHILE, NOW DOING IT AGAIN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OXIDATION BUILD-UP ON THE HEADLIGHT COVERS IS CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DOES NOT GO UP OR DOWN BECAUSE THE CONTROL MODULE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ON OR OFF. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE TOP CAN GO UP OR DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 06/03/09 *BF UPDATED 06/04/09.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2001 FORD MUSTANGS AND MY FRONT 2 HEADLIGHTS ARE SO (FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM) FOGGY AND DISTORTED. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FIX THIS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OXIDATION BUILD-UP ON THE HEADLIGHT COVERS IS CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DOES NOT GO UP OR DOWN BECAUSE THE CONTROL MODULE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ON OR OFF. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE TOP CAN GO UP OR DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 06/03/09 *BF UPDATED 06/04/09.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FILL TUBE BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE NOZZLE INPUT HAS RUSTED THRU THE ENTIRE LENGTH, WORST UNDER THE PLASTIC/RUBBER WRAP AT THE TANK INLET, CAUSING FUEL TO SPILL ONTO THE GROUND WHEN FILLING THE TANK. DEALER ESTIMATES REPAIR COST AT $340. ON LINE INQUIRIES REVEALED "MANY-MANY" OTHER COMPLAINTS. NO FORD RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS. IF PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS , THE BATTERY RUNS DOWN. CHECKED FOR HEAD/PARKING/BRAKES LIGHTS LEFT ON AS WELL AS THOSE INSIDE PASSENGER AREA AND IN TRUNK. NONE FOUND. MECHANIC BELIEVES DUE TO RADIO/CD PLAYER AMP DRAW TO SUPPORT CLOCK (ETC) EVEN WHILE OFF???? INSTALLED NEW BATTERY, OK FOR AWHILE, NOW DOING IT AGAIN. *TR
FORD FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY HAS A DEFECT. THE PLASTIC SLEEVE THAT IS "TIE WRAPPED" TO THE TUBE CAUSES THE OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE TO COLLECTED MOISTURE AND CORRODE. THIS GOES UNDETECTED UNTIL LARGE QUANTITIES OF GASOLINE ARE DUMPED ONTO THE ROADWAY AFTER FILL UP. THIS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE AND IN 30 MINUTES OF RESEARCH ON YOUR SITE, I WAS ABLE TO FIND MANY OTHER OCCURRENCES WITH OTHER FORD MODELS. THIS IS AN EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER AND A HUGE FIRE/SAFETY HAZARD. DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE PINTO? A SIMPLE FENDER BENDER WITH ONE OF THESE CORRODED TUBES COULD BE DEVASTATING. I WILL BE FILING A SIMILAR COMPLAINT WITH FORD AND THE EPA. IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA: 10276760, 10265682, 10253564, 10249748, 10276760, 729302 YOUR SEARCH ENGINE MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEARCH MULTIPLE FORD MODELS AND YEARS FOR THIS PROBLEM - THE ABOVE COMPLAINTS WERE COMPILED IN JUST A FEW MINUTES AND INDICATE TO ME THAT THERE IS SERIOUS PROBLEM - NOT TO MENTION THE $400 + EACH OF THESE OWNERS NEED TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR, THE COST AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE UNTOLD GALLONS OF GASOLINE SLOSHING ONTO THE PAVEMENT AND ENGINE DAMAGE FROM CONTAMINANTS ENTERING THE FUEL SYSTEM. FROM THE DATES OF THESE OTHER COMPLAINTS, I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS - A RECALL COULD ALLOW FOR A SIMPLE PREVENTIVE MEASURE OF REMOVING THE OEM PLASTIC SLEEVE THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. MY MECHANIC REPORTED TO ME THAT THE SLEEVE PROVIDES NO USEFUL PURPOSE. I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART AND HAVE PICTURES THAT CAN BE PROVIDED BY REQUEST. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, BUT THE RADIO REMAINED ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AUTOMATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,200. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF
I HAVE A 2001 FORD MUSTANG V6 CONVERTIBLE. FORD HAS A DEFECT ON THEIR DPFE SENSOR FOR THEIR EMISSION EGR FLOW. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM IN FORD MUSTANGS. EVERY PERSON I KNOW WHO OWNS A 99-01 HAS HAD TO CHANGE THEIR DPFE SENSOR, SPENDING THEIR OWN MONEY FOR FORD'S DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. EVEN THE LOCAL ROCK RIVER FORD DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPT. TOLD ME THAT FORD HAS A BIG DEFECT ON THIS, AND THEY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THE PROBLEM. FORD HAS A FAULTY DPFE SENSOR ON THEIR MUSTANGS. I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO PAY MY HARD EARNED MONEY TO TEMPORARILY FIX THEIR PROBLEM, BY BUYING A NEW DPFE SENSOR. I THINK FORD SHOULD GIVE ME A NEW SENSOR, IT WAS THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. CHECK UNDER ANY OF THE 99-01 V6 MUSTANG FORUMS SITES, AND SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT, FOR "INSUFFICIENT EGR FLOW". CAUSED BY THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY THROTTLE STICKING. UNDER HARD ACCELERATION, WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS, THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP GOING FASTER. THE GAS PEDDLE STICKS. I HAVE ALMOST GOT INTO A FEW ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
HAD AN ACCIDENT ON 19 NOV 05 IN DALLAS,TX AT 9.50 PM, I WAS CHANGING LANE WHEN THE OTHER CAR IN THE LANE I WAS CHANGING INTO LOWED DOWN, HE WAS DRIVING A JAGUAR WE BOTH WENT HEAD ON INTO THE CONCRETE DIVING WALL AT ABOUT 60-63 MPH MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY; I HAVE $12000.00 IN DAMAGE TO MY 2001 MUSTANG COBRA. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED A GARAGE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2001 FORD MUSTANG. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED A SMALL AREA THAT THE CLEARCOAT WAS PEELING. NOW IT IS COMING OFF IN SHEETS AND MY PAINT HAS FADED THAT IS LOOKS LIKE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT COLOR. I'VE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON OTHER MESSAGE BOARDS FROM OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I EVEN FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT FORD ISSUED INSTRUCTING PAINT VENDORS HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I WOULD THINK THAT IF THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE THAT FORD HAD TO ISSUE A BULLETIN OF THIS SORT, THAT THERE WOULD BE RECALL AND FORD WOULD BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE. IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. NOW, I HAVE TO PAY FOR A PAINT JOB THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN. *TR
CONSTANT VIBRATION IN THE DASH AREA. HAVE HAD ALL 4 AIR VENTS REPLACED TWICE AND THE ENTIRE CENTER CONSOLE REPLACED DO TO RADDLING NOISES. TO THIS DATE MY DASH STILL RATTLES IN THE VENT AREAS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2001 FORD MUSTANG V6 CONVERTIBLE. FORD HAS A DEFECT ON THEIR DPFE SENSOR FOR THEIR EMISSION EGR FLOW. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM IN FORD MUSTANGS. EVERY PERSON I KNOW WHO OWNS A 99-01 HAS HAD TO CHANGE THEIR DPFE SENSOR, SPENDING THEIR OWN MONEY FOR FORD'S DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. EVEN THE LOCAL ROCK RIVER FORD DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPT. TOLD ME THAT FORD HAS A BIG DEFECT ON THIS, AND THEY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THE PROBLEM. FORD HAS A FAULTY DPFE SENSOR ON THEIR MUSTANGS. I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO PAY MY HARD EARNED MONEY TO TEMPORARILY FIX THEIR PROBLEM, BY BUYING A NEW DPFE SENSOR. I THINK FORD SHOULD GIVE ME A NEW SENSOR, IT WAS THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. CHECK UNDER ANY OF THE 99-01 V6 MUSTANG FORUMS SITES, AND SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT, FOR "INSUFFICIENT EGR FLOW". CAUSED BY THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY THROTTLE STICKING. UNDER HARD ACCELERATION, WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS, THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP GOING FASTER. THE GAS PEDDLE STICKS. I HAVE ALMOST GOT INTO A FEW ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS. *NM
ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, WHILE SHIFTING THE CAR SEEMED TO CONTINUE ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN, EVEN WHEN I HAD MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL. I ENDED UP LOSING CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CONTINUES TO JUMP OUT OF PLACE CAUSING WINDOW NOT TO ROLL DOWN. WHEN FIRST BOUGHT CAR, WE PAID OVER 300 TO REPLACE ENTIRE FRAME AND GLASS. ONLY A SHORT TIME AFTER THIS IT CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME THING EVERY TWO OR THREE WEEKS WE ARE HAVING TO HAVE THE GLASS PUT BACK INTO TRACTS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND THINK IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED.
DETERIORATION OF MATERIALS OF HEADLIGHT LENSES. DETERIORATION CAUSED BY THE HEAT PRODUCED BY THE LIGHT ITSELF. DIMS THE HEADLIGHTS AND REDUCES VISIBILITY THEREBY CAUSING UNSAFE AND ILLEGAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.L *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CONTINUES TO JUMP OUT OF PLACE CAUSING WINDOW NOT TO ROLL DOWN. WHEN FIRST BOUGHT CAR, WE PAID OVER 300 TO REPLACE ENTIRE FRAME AND GLASS. ONLY A SHORT TIME AFTER THIS IT CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME THING EVERY TWO OR THREE WEEKS WE ARE HAVING TO HAVE THE GLASS PUT BACK INTO TRACTS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND THINK IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED 2 BRAND-NEW BF GOODRICH TRACTION T/A TIRES - 225/55/R16 95H TIRES ON OR ABOUT 09/0109. 3 DAYS LATER, WITH APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES ON THESE TIRES, I EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT ON ONE OF THEM DUE TO SIDEWALL FAILURE. TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH SAME TIRE AND 2ND TIRE WAS INSPECTED AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE. ON 10/08/09 I EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT OF THE 2ND OF THE 2 ORIGINAL TIRES, AGAIN DUE TO SIDEWALL FAILURE. I DO NOT HAVE THE DOT NUMBER FROM THE 1ST TIRE, BUT THE DOT NUMBER/ID FROM THE 2ND TIRE IS: BE6RMC11. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
2001, MUSTANG, HYDROPLANED AT 50 MPH IN HEAVY RAIN, SPUN 360 DEGREES, AND SLID DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. HAD FLAT ON RIGHT FRONT, AND REQUIRED A TOW TRUCK. WHILE TOWING THE VEHICLE THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS PULLING HARD. WHEN HE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS WERE GLOWING RED HOT. I WAS INFORMED BY MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE MECHANIC THAT THE CALIPERS WERE CORRODED. THIS REQUIRED REPLACING THE CALIPERS ON BOTH REAR WHEELS. I DRIVE THE VEHICLE EVERY DAY FOR 125 MILE ROUND TRIP TO WORK AND HAVE FOR THE LAST 12 MONTHS. THERE WAS NO WARNING WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND FIND IT HARD TO BELEIVE THAT THE CALIPERS WERE LOCKED UP FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .