EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2001 Ford Mustang
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 173 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Ford Mustang, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and brakes categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 122 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2004 | 1 | 104 |
| Aug 2004 | 1 | 105 |
| Sep 2004 | 3 | 108 |
| Oct 2004 | 2 | 110 |
| Dec 2004 | 1 | 111 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 112 |
| Feb 2005 | 1 | 113 |
| Mar 2005 | 1 | 114 |
| Apr 2005 | 1 | 115 |
| Jun 2005 | 1 | 116 |
| Jul 2005 | 1 | 117 |
| Nov 2005 | 1 | 118 |
| Jan 2006 | 1 | 119 |
| Feb 2006 | 1 | 120 |
| Mar 2006 | 1 | 121 |
| Apr 2006 | 1 | 122 |
| Jul 2006 | 1 | 123 |
| Oct 2006 | 1 | 124 |
| Nov 2006 | 2 | 126 |
| Feb 2007 | 1 | 127 |
| Jun 2007 | 1 | 128 |
| Jul 2007 | 1 | 129 |
| Sep 2007 | 2 | 131 |
| Mar 2008 | 1 | 132 |
| May 2008 | 2 | 134 |
| Jun 2008 | 1 | 135 |
| Aug 2008 | 1 | 136 |
| Oct 2008 | 1 | 137 |
| Nov 2008 | 1 | 138 |
| Mar 2009 | 1 | 139 |
| May 2009 | 1 | 140 |
| Jun 2009 | 1 | 141 |
| Aug 2009 | 1 | 142 |
| Oct 2009 | 1 | 143 |
| Jan 2010 | 1 | 144 |
| Mar 2010 | 2 | 146 |
| Aug 2010 | 1 | 147 |
| Jan 2011 | 1 | 148 |
| May 2011 | 1 | 149 |
| Jul 2011 | 1 | 150 |
| Oct 2011 | 2 | 152 |
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 153 |
| May 2012 | 1 | 154 |
| Aug 2012 | 1 | 155 |
| Sep 2012 | 1 | 156 |
| Oct 2012 | 2 | 158 |
| Mar 2013 | 1 | 159 |
| Apr 2013 | 1 | 160 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 161 |
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 162 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 163 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 164 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 165 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 | 166 |
| May 2019 | 1 | 167 |
| Sep 2019 | 1 | 168 |
| Feb 2020 | 1 | 169 |
| Oct 2020 | 2 | 171 |
| Jul 2023 | 1 | 172 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 173 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags2612.4%
- Engine2612.4%
- Brakes2311.0%
- Seat belts2210.5%
- Fuel system2110.0%
- Driver assistance136.2%
- Visibility115.2%
- Transmission115.2%
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
8 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
SPARK 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 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
ABS light came on, sometimes when braking/slowing down at freeway speeds, the brakes won't catch and it feels like I'm going to ram into the cars ahead, I've replaced the rotors, the calipers, the brakes, the wheel bearings, ABS light won't go away, I've looked into it on the bullitt community forums, and this is a common problem that most just decide to live with, cause no solution has been found.
- NHTSA ID
- 11594615
- Incident
- Jun 14, 2024
Anti lock brake pump leaking brake fluid from what appears to be a vent /weep hole resulting in rapid brake fluid loss and low/ soft pedal and significant loss of braking.
- NHTSA ID
- 11533150
- Incident
- May 17, 2023
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK TIRES, TIRE LINE: VENTUS V2 EVO2, TIRE SIZE: 275/35/R18, DOT NUMBER: 5MRKYBH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN MARCH OF 2020 AND INSTALLED IN APRIL OF 2020. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 3,000 MILES, THE TIRES SHOWED EXCESSIVE UNEVEN TREAD WEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED THE STATE INSPECTION DUE TO THE TREAD WEAR FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THAT THE TIRES BE INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED HANKOOK DISTRIBUTOR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR WAS NOT DUE TO A TIRE MANUFACTURING DEFECT BUT AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED AND REMAINED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
- NHTSA ID
- 11366709
- Incident
- Oct 27, 2020
1. THERE IS A DREADFUL GAS FUME ODOR INSIDE THE CAR EVERY TIME I PUT FUEL IN THE CAR ESPECIALLY WHEN I FILL THE TANK. 2.THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN ENGAGED MY CAR STILL ROLLS A LITTLE. 3. THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND TEND TO TWIST AND TANGLE WHEN I TRY TO DO IT MANUALLY.
- NHTSA ID
- 11366261
- Incident
- Sep 27, 2020
- Mileage
- 200,000 mi
WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE, EVEN WHILE PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. I LOST CONTROL, WENT INTO A YARD AND HIT A TREE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11307219
- Incident
- Feb 4, 2020
- Mileage
- 50,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 189,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11253425
- Incident
- Sep 3, 2019
- Mileage
- 189,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, A FUEL LEAK WAS DISCOVERED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT A RUBBER WASHER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WASHER WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE VERY DIM AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A INCLINE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, IT ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO THE STREET. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. ESTABROOK FORD (3689 14TH ST, PASCAGOULA, MS) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11205578
- Incident
- Mar 1, 2018
- Mileage
- 64,000 mi
WHERE IT SHOWS HOW MANY MILES IT'S DIGITAL AND IT CONSTANTLY GOES OFF. SMELLS OF GASOLINE AND LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING EVERY TIME DRIVE IT. HAS A VERY ROUGH IDLE AND WHEN A /C IS ON THE CAR HAS ABSOLUTELY NO POWER, ALSO BURNS GAS VERY QUICK. EXTERIOR HEAD LIGHTS LIGHTS ARE DIM AND I JUST INSTALLED NEW ONE YET STILL DIM
- NHTSA ID
- 11124181
- Incident
- Sep 2, 2018
- Mileage
- 146,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
FORD: CERTAIN 1999-2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN NEW YORK AND CERTAIN 2001 VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF MAINE, CERTIFIED FOR SALE IN CALIFORNIA-FEDERAL EMISSION WARRANTY REFUND. *PE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. *NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. *PE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXTENDED COVERAGE PROGRAM 05N04 - EXTENDED COVERAGE FOR COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS PROGRAM IS BEING PROVIDED AS A SETTLEMENT TO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THE TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT EXTEND THE COVERAGE OF THE ALL-COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD TO 7 YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY START DATE OF THE VEHICLE, WITH NO LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF MILES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN. *TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT
SEAT BELTS
SAFETY BELT WEB STOP BUTTON SERVICE. *EH
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.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 57.1 |
| 2024 | 73 | 11 | 0 | 58.9 |
| 2023 | 15 | 6 | 0 | 62.7 |
| 2022 | 49 | 9 | 0 | 60.2 |
| 2021 | 55 | 6 | 0 | 59.4 |
| 2020 | 117 | 8 | 1 | 70.4 |
| 2019 | 142 | 6 | 0 | 56.1 |
| 2018 | 186 | 4 | 0 | 56.4 |
| 2017 | 264 | 6 | 1 | 63.4 |
| 2016 | 371 | 5 | 1 | 58.4 |
| 2015 | 436 | 11 | 3 | 63.5 |
| 2014 | 359 | 4 | 0 | 54.6 |
| 2013 | 271 | 6 | 0 | 52.2 |
| 2012 | 469 | 7 | 1 | 54.0 |
| 2011 | 466 | 5 | 1 | 53.0 |
| 2010 | 260 | 6 | 0 | 52.5 |
| 2009 | 181 | 6 | 0 | 55.6 |
| 2008 | 347 | 8 | 4 | 62.7 |
| 2007 | 615 | 9 | 4 | 62.7 |
| 2006 | 422 | 9 | 3 | 58.8 |
| 2005 | 705 | 9 | 3 | 58.2 |
| 2004 | 116 | 6 | 3 | 64.9 |
| 2003 | 145 | 6 | 3 | 68.0 |
| 2002 | 118 | 6 | 1 | 61.3 |
| 2001Viewing | 173 | 8 | 1 | 62.6 |
| 2000 | 311 | 9 | 1 | 63.8 |
| 1999 | 213 | 10 | 1 | 63.9 |
| 1998 | 236 | 14 | 2 | 65.3 |
| 1997 | 176 | 11 | 2 | 61.3 |
| 1996 | 246 | 12 | 3 | 61.8 |
| 1995 | 602 | 16 | 4 | 66.0 |
| 1994 | 356 | 13 | 4 | 64.3 |
| 1993 | 101 | 7 | 1 | 68.6 |
| 1992 | 69 | 5 | 3 | 72.1 |
| 1991 | 77 | 6 | 2 | 69.6 |
| 1990 | 85 | 5 | 3 | 72.8 |
| 1989 | 109 | 5 | 4 | 72.0 |
| 1988 | 108 | 5 | 5 | 73.3 |
| 1987 | 38 | 5 | 6 | 73.3 |
| 1986 | 30 | 2 | 5 | 68.0 |
| 1985 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 70.8 |
| 1984 | 18 | 4 | 4 | 67.0 |
| 1983 | 5 | 1 | 3 | — |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | 2 | 4 | — |
| 1980 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1979 | 0 | 7 | 2 | — |
| 1978 | 3 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1972 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1971 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1970 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1969 | 3 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1968 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1967 | 2 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1966 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1965 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.