Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Ford Mustang submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
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.
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.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE ABS LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ABS COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED BRAKES HAVE SLOW REACTION TIME AND STALL CAUSING THE CAR TO RUN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES CAR VIBRATES ALMOST LIKE A PUMPING EFFECT AND THEN SKIDS. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN TO ESCAPE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED.
2 DAYS EARLIER HAD CAR AT MECHANIC AND HE SAID MY PADS WERE A LITTLE LOW SO THEY SHOOULD BE CHANGED. THE DAY I HAD THE APPOINTMNET TO REPLACE THE PADS THE REAR CALIPER FROZEN OPEN AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD NOT WORK EITHER. WHILE IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, CAR STARTED ROLLING FORWARD. HIT POST IN DRIVEWAY AND TORE OFF DRIVER MIRROR AND DENTED DOOR. BROUGHT CAR BACK TO MECHANIC THEN TOWED CAR TO DEALER AS I HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY AND DIDN'T WANT TO PAY MECHANIC FOR PARTS OR LABOR AS MECHANIC STATED CALIPER FROZEN. DEALER WOULD NOT FIX DAMAGE TO DOOR/MIRROR. THE PADS STILL HAD SOMETHING LEFT OTHERWISE ROTORS WOULD BE SCRATCHED UP WITH METAL DIGGING IN. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF METAL AGAINST METAL WHAT SO EVER. DEALER ALSO STATED MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED REPLACING AS IT HAD LEAKED ALL FLUID OUT OF SYSTEM. NEEDED TO BLEED SYSTEM AND REPLACE CALIPER. DEALER SAID NOBODY WOULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT DAMAGE AND IT WAS MY PROBLEM. I HAD THE DEALER PUT THE NEW PADS ON THAT MY MECHANIC HAD PURCHASED FOR DOING MY BRAKES. DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME $195.00 TO DO THIS. I KNEW SOMEONE THERE AND THEY WAIVED THE FEE BUT I HAD TO PAY $100.00 DEDUCTABLE FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. DO NOT BUY A FORD!!!!!*AK
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME DETACHED. HOWEVER, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO A HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
2001 FORD MUSTANG COBRA - PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. CAR ROLLED FORWARD DOWNHILL, CRASHING INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. *NLM
FOLLOWING SAFETY REPORT WAS FILED WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON-LINE: ========================================= THE FORD RIGHT FRONT INNER BREAK PAD SEPARATED FROM ITS METAL BASE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ROTOR. I WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE BREAK PROBLEM WHEN I STARTED HEARING A ROUGH METAL SOUND. I HAD A PRIVATE TECHNICIAN TO REMOVE THE BREAK PADS AND ROTOR IMMEDIATELY. THEN TOOK IT AND SHOWED IT TO THE FORD DEALER SWANSON FORD IN LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA. THE DEALER WAS RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT THE BREAK PAD WAS SPLIT APART, HE HAS INSISTENT ON IT WAS PAD WEAR. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE FORD DEALER TECHNICIAN, IT IS VISUAL AND VERY NOTICEABLE THAT THE BREAK PAD HAS SPLIT APART FROM ITS METAL BASE, IT WAS NOT A WEAR OUT DOWN TO THE METAL BASE. THIS IS UNSAFE AND MAY CAUSE UNNECESSARY ACCIDENTS. THE SAME PROBLEM MAY HAPPEN TO OTHER DRIVERS TOO. THIS IS WHY I AM INSISTING ON A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TO GET BACK TO ME IN A VERY SHORT TIME. DUE TO SAFETY REASON I WILL HAVE NO CHOICE TO TURN ALL THE EVIDENCE TO THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT IF FORD CORPORATION DOES NOT COME FORWARD TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM AND PAY FOR THE ADDITIONAL DAMAGES CAUSED DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF THE BREAK PAD ASSEMBLY. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER PROPER IMMEDIATE ACTION REGARDING THIS MATTER, AND I WOULD LIKE A FORD FIELD ENGINEER TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER NOT A TECHNICIAN OR A MECHANIC FROM A FORD DEALER, SPECIALLY NOT ANYONE FROM THE SWANSON FORD IN LOS GATOS CALIFORNIA. YOUR IMMEDIATE REPLY IS EXPECTED UPON RECEIPT OF THIS EMAIL. I RECOMMEND YOU CONTACTING MY FATHER [XXX] WHO IS THE CO-SIGNER ON THE CAR. HIS EMAIL ADDRESS IS: [XXX] AND HIS CELL NUMBER IS [XXX], HOME NUMBER IS THE SAME, THE CAR IS REGISTERED AT THE SAME ADDRESS, TO THE MY FATHER'S ADDRESS AT: [XXX]. SINCERELY, [XXX]. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
CONSUMER STATED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED UP HILL WITH PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE ROLL DOWN HILL. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH AND DECREASING SPEED, THE ENGINE AND ALL POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES CEASED AT ABOUT 40MPH WHILE BRAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. FIRST TIME WAS SOMETIME IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR (2001).*AK
CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. NLM CONSUMER STATES STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHEN ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AT HIGH OR LOW SPEED. VEHICLE VIBRATES AT SPEED OVER 65 MPH. WIPER MAKE A LOUD NOISE AT HIGH SPEEDS. CONVERTIBLE TOP HAD RUST ON PORTION THAT CONNECTS WITH FRONT WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE HAD BRAKE PULSATION. *YH
DRIVING HOME, RAINY EVENING, SMALL ANIMAL RAN OUT IN FRONT OF CAR, HIT BRAKES, LOCKED UP, CAR PROCEEDED STRAIGHT, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DID NOT HIT OR RUN OVER ANYTHING. HAVE WITNESS TO EVENT. DEALER AND FORD INDICATE THAT THIS IS TYPICAL AND THE AIR BAG DID AS IT WAS SUPPOSE TO. UPON DEALER CHECKING FOR DAMAGE, SMALL DENT FOUND IN UNDERCARRIAGE OF CAR. NO ENTRANCE OR EXIT WOUNDS, JUST A DENT - OTHER PARTS OF CAR ARE LOWER.. DEALER PUT CAR UP ON JACK TO SHOW US, PLACED JACK IN WRONG PLACE, COVERING DAMAGE, HAD TO TAKE IT BACK DOWN. DAMAGE LINES UP PERFECTLY WITH JACK. DEALER DAMAGED W/ JACK AND FORD (WHO WOULDN'T EVEN COME IN TO LOOK AT CAR) AGREED W/ DEALER THAT THIS COULD CAUSE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, THE AIR BAGS MALFUNCTIONED, DEALER MADE DAMAGE - IT'S A COVER-UP.
AT ANY SPEED ON HIGHWAY HAND BRAKES SHAKE AND VIBRATE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. *AK *SLC
ANTI LOCK BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, AND CAR SKIDDED WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *AK (TIRESIZE: 245/45/17)
THE FRONT PASSENGER ROTOR WAS LOOSE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. NLM
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR, THIS PROBLEM OCCURED INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEALER REPLACED 2 MASTER CYLINDERS, AFTER THE 2 MASTER CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED THE PROBLEM BEGAN TO REOCCUR BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NLM
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON DASHBOARD CAME ON, AND SUDDENLY ABS LOCKED UP FOR A COUPLE SECONDS WHILE VEHICLE WAS JUST BEING DRIVEN OUT OF A PARKING LOT. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK *SLC
BRAKES LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING, AND CONSUMER HAS BEEN THROWN INTO WINDSHIELD, AND THEN BRAKES WILL RELEASE. *AK CONSUMER STATES LEFT BRAKES PULL, TRACTION COTROL DOES NOT WORK, RATTLES UNDER VEHICLE THROW OUT BEARING MAKING NOISE BRAKES LOCK WITHOUT BEING APPLIED.*JB
INITIALLY BRAKE PEDAL WAS STICKING THEN IT STARTED SINKING TO THE FLOOR ON APPLICATION. HAPPENED AT ALL SPEEDS AND WHILE COMING AT A STANDSTILL. DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER, BUT THE COMPONENT IS UNAVAILABLE (AND NO DATE OF POSSIBLE AVAILABILITY IS FORTHCOMING FROM FORD). THE VEHICE IS WITH DEALER FOR LAST FIVE DAYS.*AK
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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