2003 Ford Mustang Convertible Problems

LOUD POP NOISE AND VEHICLE SPEED VERY QUICKLY DECREASED. ENGINE RAN EXTREMELY ROUGH. VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALER. *TR

I PARKED THE CAR ALONG THE CURB AT UCLA AND SPENT THE NIGHT AT THE DORMS. THE CAR WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY FINE, I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. WHEN I AWOKE THE FOLLOWING MORNING A FRIEND AND I WERE HUNGRY SO WE DECIDED TO GO TO MCDONALD'S. IT WAS APPROX. 1.5 - 2 MILES AWAY. WHILE WE WERE SITTING IN THE DRIVE THROUGH, I STARTED TO HEAR A LOUD NOISE, KIND OF LIKE A BELT SQUEAKING INSIDE THE HOOD. I COULDN'T TELL IF IT WAS FROM MY CAR OR THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF ME, SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF. THE NOISE STOPPED. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON HOWEVER, THE NOISE GOT UNBEARABLY LOUD AND SOUNDED LIKE METAL ON METAL, AND WE NOTICED THE AROMA OF SOMETHING BURNING. I EXITED THE DRIVE THROUGH AND STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT. I LOOKED AT THE GAUGES, AND THE OIL, BATTERY AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES WERE ALL WHERE THEY NORMALLY SHOULD BE, BOUT IN THE MIDDLE TO SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE HALFWAY MARK...WELL...THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AND I ASSUMED THEN THAT IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I KNEW THERE WAS A GAS STATION UP AHEAD, SO I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN, IT HAD SOME PROBLEMS STARTING UP, BUT THEN FINALLY STARTED AND I WAS GOING TO DRIVE THE BLOCK REMAINING TO THE GAS STATION. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE WAS A LOUD POP UNDER THE HOOD, AND ALL THE GAUGES DROPPED AND I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LET IT COAST TO THE SIDEWALK, WHEN I EXITED THE CAR, THERE WAS OIL ALL OVER THE GROUND, LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE AND I NOTICED THAT UNDER THE HOOD, THE PLASTIC CAP THAT WAS COVERING THE PISTONS (I ASSUME) WAS CRACKED...THERE WAS SMOKE EVERYWHERE. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER CAME, HE SAID THAT SOMEHOW SOMETHING CAME UNLOOSE FROM THE ENGINE AND SHOT UP THROUGH THE PISTONS AND THAT'S WHAT BROKE THE PLASTIC CAP. HE SAID HE'S NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE IN HIS 30 YRS OF SERVICE. *TR

PUDDLE OF WATER IS FORMED IN THE "WELL" BEHIND THE BACK SEAT WHERE THE CONVERTIBLE TOP SITS WHEN LOWERED. I ALSO NOTICE MOISTURE IN THE OTHER AREAS SUCH AS REAR FLOOR MATS AND TRUNK. THIS HAPPENS AFTER RAIN OR AFTER CAR WASH. I'VE NOTICED HUNDREDS OF SAME ISSUES ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND FORUMS AND I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHY NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS. THIS DISTRACTS THE DRIVER AND CAUSES SAFETY ISSUES.

CONVERTIBLE TOP IS LEAKING CAUSING WATER DAMAGE ON INSIDE OF CAR. *NM

FOR 2 YEARS I HAVE OWNED A 2003 MUSTANG COBRA CONVERTIBLE. WHENEVER I REACH 60-65 MILES AN HOUR MY CAR START TO VIBRATE LIKE A WHEEL IS OFF BALANCE. I'VE GOTTEN NEW TIRES SEVERAL BALANCE BUT NOTHING AND ALIGNMENTS AND NOTHING SEEM TO HELP THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE WHEELS BEGAN TO SPIN. THE ENGINE STALLED MOMENTARILY. THE CONTACT REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THEN ACCELERATED AGAIN. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD IT RECOMPUTERIZED. A MECHANIC AT A GARAGE SENT THE VEHICLE TO FORD FOR INVESTIGATION, BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BEARING MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,750. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED

I HAVE OWNED A 2001 AND 2003 FORD MUSTANG AND A 2001 FORD EXPLORER ALL OF WHICH HAD A FACTORY IN DASH 6 DISC CHANGER. EACH ONE OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE HAD CD'S GET STUCK WHILE IT WAS BEING EJECTED AND WOULD JUST POP UP CD ERROR AND NOT WORK. ONCE IT STARTS IT HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. I HAVE REPLACED ONE AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH IT. JUST LIKE ANYONE ELSE I ATTEMPTED TO GET THE CD PLAYER TO WORK AS I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD. IF YOU THE DASH IN THE RIGHT SPOT IT WILL WORK USUALLY. AS YOU CAN TELL THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING FROM DRIVING. I CANNOT SAY THAT IT HAS CAUSED ME AN ACCIDENT BUT I'M SURE THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT IT HAS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS FORUMS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO TRY TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP. THAT THEY WORK WITH YA'LL ON RECALLS. I KNOW THIS MAY NOT SEEM LIKE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE DIRECTLY, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW MANY LIVES ARE LOST BY DISTRACTED DRIVERS EVERYDAY IT TURNS INTO A HUGE PROBLEM. *TR

COMPLETE LOSS OF TRACTION - SPIN OUT AT 30MPH WHILE OTHER CARS PASSED ME BY NORMALLY. FELT LIKE THE REAR END JUST COULD NOT STAY ON THE ROAD. CRAWLED 100 MILES TO THE AIRPORT AT 30-35MPH WITH CONSTANT LOSS OF TRACTION MOST OF THE WAY ON A MOIST HIGHWAY. CAR KEPT WANTING TO TURN SIDEWAYS. TIRES LOOKED GOOD AND STILL DO. TRIED SHUTTING THE TRAC ON/OFF, NO CHANGE EITHER WAY. COULD NOT KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AS THE REAR END KEPT SLIDING ALL OVER THE PLACE. I FEEL LIKE THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS LOCKED IN EITHER THE ON OR OFF POSITION OR, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON. SCARY. THIS HAPPENED IN SOUTHERN OREGON, CAR WAS PURCHASED IN SOUTHER CALIFORNIA. DEALER IN OR WON'T LOOK AT, SINCE I CAN'T REPRODUCE EFFECT.

AS AN OVERWEIGHT 6'9" CITIZEN AND PHD SCIENTIST, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT SAFETY TESTS ARE DONE FOR PEOPLE THAT DEVIATE FROM A NORMAL SIZE AND WEIGHT. I UNDERSTAND THAT SAFETY TESTS ARE DONE FOR CHILDREN, BUT WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY TALL, OR AS IT IS AN INCREASING PROBLEM IN THE US, PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY OBESE? MY SEAT BELT TOUCHES MY NECK RATHER THAN GOING OVER MY SHOULDER, POTENTIALLY EXPOSING ME TO NECK INJURIES. THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS WILL IMPACT MY KNEES RATHER THAN MY BODY, AND THERE IS NO NECK SUPPORT FROM MY HEADREST. I AM QUITE CONCERNED THAT I COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE VEHICLES ARE NOT PROPERLY TESTED TO SUPPORT TALL AND/OR OVERWEIGHT INDIVIDUALS. PRESUMABLY THE NHTSA AND NTSB COULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR A LACK OF SUCH TESTING WERE SOMEONE INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT. EVEN NEGLECTING SAFETY INFORMATION, SOMEONE WHO IS 6'9" SUCH AS MYSELF WILL NOT FIT INTO MOST VEHICLES, AND ONLY SOME VEHICLES WITH AMPLE LEG/HEAD ROOM ARE SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE COMFORTABLY. *TR

WHEN THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTS, AND IT HAS A TWIST IN THE BELT MATERIAL (WEBBING), THE RETRACTING MECHANISM WILL LOCK PREVENTING THE BELT FROM BEING PULLED BACK OUT. THIS LOCK IS SIMILAR TO THE LOCKING WHICH THE RETRACTOR DOES, AS IT IS DESIGNED TO DO, DURING RAPID DECELERATION. THE BELT (WEBBING) "GUIDE" ALLOWS THE BELT TO RETRACT WITH ONE OR MORE TWISTS IN THE WEBBING JUST AS EASILY AS IT DOES WHEN THERE IS NO TWISTS. IN OTHER WORDS, THE "GUIDE" DOESN'T PREVENT THE BELT FROM RETRACTING WHEN THERE IS A TWIST IN THE WEBBING, AND THUS DOESN'T PREVENT THE RETRACTOR LOCK UP PROBLEM. THE RETRACTOR LOCKS WITH THE BELT IN THE FULLY RETRACTED POSITION (THE WEBBING IS FULLY WOUND UP INTO THE RETRACTOR). WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THIS PROBLEM MAKES THE SEAT BELT UNAVAILABLE FOR USAGE BY THE PASSENGER (CHILD) IN THAT SEAT POSITION. THIS LEAVES THIS PASSENGER (CHILD) WITH NO SEAT BELT TO USE, AND OF COURSE, NOW LEAVES THEM VULNERABLE FOR SERIOUS INJURY IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOT A UNIT FAILURE, BUT AN UNFORTUNATE SIDE EFFECT OF THE (POOR) DESIGN. SOMETIMES YOU CAN "TEASE" THE RETRACTING MECHANISM INTO RELEASING THE LOCK. HOWEVER, MANY TIMES YOU NEED TO DISASSEMBLE THE MECHANISM TO RELEASE THE LOCK. AGAIN, THIS MAKES THE SEAT BELT UNAVAILABLE FOR USAGE UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT THE DISASSEMBLY CAN BE SCHEDULED AND COMPLETED. IN OTHER WORDS, UNTIL THE UNIT CAN BE REPAIRED. SEAT BELTS SHOULD ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE FOR USAGE. ANYTHING OTHER THAN 100% AVAILABILITY FOR A SEAT BELT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM GOT STUCK CAUSING THE CAR TO CONTINUE ACCELERATED. I HAD TO HIT THE GAS PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE SYSTEM DESENGAGED, AVOIDING REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BY JUST A FEW FEET. I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY IN THE NEXT EXIT TO GET A COFFEE, PUT THE CAR IN "PARK" AND THE TRANSMISSION GOT STUCK IN "PARKING" CRUISE CONTROL HAS NOT OPERATED SINCE. *JS

ACCELERATOR CAUGHT ON THE CARPET OF CAR, HOLDING THE ACCELERATOR DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO COME BACK UP BY BANGING ON THE ACCELERATOR, HOWEVER SEVERAL SECONDS PASSED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE MERGING ONTO I-69 NEAR CHARLOTTE, MI. NO MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THIS CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, BUT MY FIRST REPORT. THIS IS A FORD MUSTANG COBRA CONVERTIBLE. THESE ARE NOT LISTED UNDER VEHICLE. *JB

AS AN OVERWEIGHT 6'9" CITIZEN AND PHD SCIENTIST, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT SAFETY TESTS ARE DONE FOR PEOPLE THAT DEVIATE FROM A NORMAL SIZE AND WEIGHT. I UNDERSTAND THAT SAFETY TESTS ARE DONE FOR CHILDREN, BUT WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY TALL, OR AS IT IS AN INCREASING PROBLEM IN THE US, PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY OBESE? MY SEAT BELT TOUCHES MY NECK RATHER THAN GOING OVER MY SHOULDER, POTENTIALLY EXPOSING ME TO NECK INJURIES. THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS WILL IMPACT MY KNEES RATHER THAN MY BODY, AND THERE IS NO NECK SUPPORT FROM MY HEADREST. I AM QUITE CONCERNED THAT I COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE VEHICLES ARE NOT PROPERLY TESTED TO SUPPORT TALL AND/OR OVERWEIGHT INDIVIDUALS. PRESUMABLY THE NHTSA AND NTSB COULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR A LACK OF SUCH TESTING WERE SOMEONE INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT. EVEN NEGLECTING SAFETY INFORMATION, SOMEONE WHO IS 6'9" SUCH AS MYSELF WILL NOT FIT INTO MOST VEHICLES, AND ONLY SOME VEHICLES WITH AMPLE LEG/HEAD ROOM ARE SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE COMFORTABLY. *TR

MAKING A RIGHT TURN IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A SPEED OF APROX. 10 MPH THE AIRBAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE PASSENGERS SIDE. THERE WAS NO COLLISION WITH ANY KIND OF OBJECTS (CAR,PETS.VARMENTS,ROAD DEBRIS ETC;;... ) THERE WAS NO DAMAGE WHATSOEVER TO THE CAR. BUT MY SON WAS KNOCK-OUT BRIEFLY AND HAD INJURIES TO HIS FACE, CHIN, AND ARMS. THANKFULLY NO OTHER CARS ARE PEOPLE WERE IN THE PATH WHILE HE WAS TURNING. *TR

THE BRAKES BEEN WEARING DOWN AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME FIXING THEM. *JS

I PURCHASED A 2003 COBRA FROM PRESTIGE FORD IN EDMOND, OK. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING A BRAKE LIGHT THAT CONTINUED TO LIGHT UP ON THE DASH. I ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE CLEAR COAT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR BACK WHEN THERE WAS SOMEBODY WITH AUTHORITY AVAILABLE TO TALK TO. I TOOK THE CAR HOME AND DISCOVERED A LEAKING BRAKE CALIPER. THE DEALERSHIP KNEW THE CALIPER WAS LEAKING BECAUSE IT WAS SITTING ON THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. THEIR ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WAS TO INSTALL ANOTHER WASHER (NOT THE CORRECT ONE) ON THE CALIPER AND OVER-TORQUE THE BOLT TO THE POINT THE THREADS WERE GALLED. I REMOVED THE INCORRECT RETAINING BOLT AND WASHER, PURCHASED THE CORRECT ONES, ALONG WITH A NEW CALIPER. I CHECKED THE TORQUE ON THE OTHER THREE BOLTS AND THEY WERE TO FACTORY SPECS. TO DISCOVER THAT PRESTIGE FORD SOLD ME A $41,000 VEHICLE THAT LEAVES THE FACTORY CAPABLE OF 150+ MPH, WITH A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS BRAKE PROBLEM INFURIATES ME.*AK

AS AN OVERWEIGHT 6'9" CITIZEN AND PHD SCIENTIST, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT SAFETY TESTS ARE DONE FOR PEOPLE THAT DEVIATE FROM A NORMAL SIZE AND WEIGHT. I UNDERSTAND THAT SAFETY TESTS ARE DONE FOR CHILDREN, BUT WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY TALL, OR AS IT IS AN INCREASING PROBLEM IN THE US, PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY OBESE? MY SEAT BELT TOUCHES MY NECK RATHER THAN GOING OVER MY SHOULDER, POTENTIALLY EXPOSING ME TO NECK INJURIES. THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS WILL IMPACT MY KNEES RATHER THAN MY BODY, AND THERE IS NO NECK SUPPORT FROM MY HEADREST. I AM QUITE CONCERNED THAT I COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE VEHICLES ARE NOT PROPERLY TESTED TO SUPPORT TALL AND/OR OVERWEIGHT INDIVIDUALS. PRESUMABLY THE NHTSA AND NTSB COULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR A LACK OF SUCH TESTING WERE SOMEONE INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT. EVEN NEGLECTING SAFETY INFORMATION, SOMEONE WHO IS 6'9" SUCH AS MYSELF WILL NOT FIT INTO MOST VEHICLES, AND ONLY SOME VEHICLES WITH AMPLE LEG/HEAD ROOM ARE SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE COMFORTABLY. *TR

RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 MUSTANG GT CONVERTIBLE AND THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT SEEM TO GET THE TOP TO STOP LEAKING. I RECENTLY FILED A REPORT WITH THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD TO GET FORD TO REPLACE THE CAR. HOWEVER, IT RECENTLY RAINED AND I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TO CONTINUE THE WARRANTY WORK ON THE CONVERTABLE TO INCLUDE REPLACING THE FRONT SEATS DUE TO WATER SPOTS. DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THEY CANT SERVICE THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS CURRENTLY WITH THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD, FORD TELLS ME IT IS STILL MY CAR TO GET IT SERVICED. I AM AT A TOTAL LOSS, IF FORD WANTS TO DROP NEW SEATS IN THE CAR EVERY TIME IT RAINS THAT IS FINE THEY CAN WASTE THE MONEY. I LOVE THE CAR BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. DISPUTE SETTELEMENT BOARD STATES THEY CAN'T HEAR MY CASE UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST. WELL BY THEN THE CAR WILL BE FULL OF MOLD SMELL FROM THE RAIN AND THE SEATS WILL LOOK WORSE THEN THEY DO NOW......*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN HE FELT AS THOUGH SOMETHING HAD FALLEN ON HIS LEG. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE WHEELS HAD DISENGAGED FROM THE TIRES AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT ADVISED THAT THEY COULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000. UPDATED 12/7/11 *CN

VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A FRONT END SHIMMY WHEN CAR IS TRAVELING BETWEEN 60-65 MPH. THIS IS A 2003 MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *JB

2003, COBRA SVT CONVERTIBLE, THE CAR STALL WHEN DECELERATING TO A STOP WHEN THE TAKEN FROM A GEAR TO NEUTRAL WITH THE CLUTCH IN/OUT AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO HAVE THIS OCCUR ON A TEST RIDE, THEY HAD NO ANSWER TO WHY THIS HAPPENS. THEY ADDED A DEVICE THAT I HAVE TO PUSH WHEN THIS OCCURS SO I CAN CAPTURE A PICTURE OF THE CARS COMPUTER IS DOING WHILE THIS OCCURS. I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF OTHER 03 COBRA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO HAVE A TSB ON THIS SOON THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN PRODUCTION OVER A YEAR. THIS CAUSES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, LOSING POWER BRAKES AND STEERING.

COMPLETE LOSS OF TRACTION - SPIN OUT AT 30MPH WHILE OTHER CARS PASSED ME BY NORMALLY. FELT LIKE THE REAR END JUST COULD NOT STAY ON THE ROAD. CRAWLED 100 MILES TO THE AIRPORT AT 30-35MPH WITH CONSTANT LOSS OF TRACTION MOST OF THE WAY ON A MOIST HIGHWAY. CAR KEPT WANTING TO TURN SIDEWAYS. TIRES LOOKED GOOD AND STILL DO. TRIED SHUTTING THE TRAC ON/OFF, NO CHANGE EITHER WAY. COULD NOT KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AS THE REAR END KEPT SLIDING ALL OVER THE PLACE. I FEEL LIKE THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS LOCKED IN EITHER THE ON OR OFF POSITION OR, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON. SCARY. THIS HAPPENED IN SOUTHERN OREGON, CAR WAS PURCHASED IN SOUTHER CALIFORNIA. DEALER IN OR WON'T LOOK AT, SINCE I CAN'T REPRODUCE EFFECT.

CAR BEGAN STUTTERING ON ACCELERATION. DIAGNOSED AS A FAILURE OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER. UNIT REPLACED. *TR