2008 FORD MUSTANG

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    airbag system

    115 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    117
    incidents
    Typical range: 14,500–66,500 mi

    Median 43,000 mi, based on 41 reports (68% had no usable mileage)

    • "THE AIR BAG ON THE 2008 FORD MUSTANG IS TO CLOSE TO THE FRONT OF THE SEAT,I PURCHASED ONE FOR MY WIFE, SHE SITS UP RIGHT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH HER BACK AGAINST THE BACK OF THE SEAT ,THE AIR BAG WAS TURN OFF WHEN SHE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR,FORD IS AWAR…"~528 mi, complaint #648624
    • "NHTSA RECALL 15V-319 STATES THAT IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR HOUSING MAY RUPTURE AND DEPLOY ABNORMALLY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIRBAG. AN INFLATOR RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN METAL…"~13,745 mi, complaint #1215257
    • "IT HAS BEEN ONE YEAR SINCE I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM FORD FOR NHTSA RECALL 16V-384 THAT THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND COULD RUPTURE IF DEPLOYED. YESTERDAY I WENT TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR THE FOURTH TIME AND WAS INFORMED THAT FORD STILL D…"~43,000 mi, complaint #1386950
    • "TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE SEVERAL YEARS AGO REGARDING MY 2008 FORD MUSTANG. I HAVE REPEATEDLY CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR, AS WELL AS OTHER DEALERS IN MY AREA TRYING TO GET THE AIRBAG REPLACED/REPAIRED. ALL OF THE DEALERSHI…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1424929
    • "CONTACTED FORD A YEAR AFTER GETTING THE LETTER AND THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS, I WANT THEM TO GIVE ME A LOANED CAR TILL THEY CAN FIX MINE."~140,000 mi, complaint #1284574
  2. #2

    other

    11 unsafe, 23 annoyance

    34
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 35,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TAKATA RECALL - RECALL FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY DATED JUNE 1 2016. 16+ MONTHS LATER AND THERE IS STILL NO REMEDY FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL FROM FORD. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS BEING ADDRESSED IN A "TIMELY MANNER""~2,200 mi, complaint #1418899
    • "WHEN THERE IS RAIN THE WATER POURS INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FLOOR AREA. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH MY 2008 AND 2005 FORD MUSTANGS. THE DEALER CHECKED THE SEALS AND THEY WERE FINE. DRIVING OR STATIONARY. STREET AND HIGHWAY. STRAIGHT OR TURNING. UNKNOWN."~20,000 mi, complaint #1247745
    • "TAKATA RECALL - FORD HAS SENT A LETTER STATING THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT MAY NOT BE USED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE THIS LETTER AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN A DISINGENUOUS ATTEMPT TO SHIFT THEIR LIABILITY TO THE OWNER ESPECIALLY AS THEIR WEBSITE AS…"~38,600 mi, complaint #1440162
    • "TAKATA RECALL RECALL WAS JUNE OF 2016 A YEAR LATER AND THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE A REPLACEMENT PART. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I CALLED TO SEE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA."~114,000 mi, complaint #1385704
    • "TAKATA RECALL, MY CAR'S VALUE IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED DUE TO THIS DEFECT AND VIRTUALLY UNABLE TO SELL OR TRADE IN."~136,000 mi, complaint #1331697
  3. #3

    transmission manual clutch

    15 unsafe

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=15, median 39,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW, MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT FROM 2-3 GEAR (ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD). SOMETIMES GEARS WOULD GRIND, OR WOULD NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. SHIFTS WOULD OFTEN TAKE ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS TO ENGAGE, WITH CAR LOSING SPEED DURING THIS T…"~5,845 mi, complaint #881760
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE'S GEAR FAILED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY OF THE FIVE GEARS. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO…"~7,695 mi, complaint #726508
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I CHANGED GEARS (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) AND THE CLUTCH FAILED TO ENGAGE PROPERLY AND ENGINE RPM SPIKED DRAMATICALLY. WHEN THE CLUTCH FINALLY ENGAGED I PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE. THE CAR WILL NOT MAINTAIN SPEED, AND ENGINE R…"~21,500 mi, complaint #1617387
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND THE CLUTCH PIN FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE CLUTCH PIN AND THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE…"~104,000 mi, complaint #891804
    • "2008 MUSTANG WITH TREMEC [REDACTED ADDRESS] DOWNSHIFTING FROM 5TH INTO 4TH TO PASS ANOTHER CAR WHICH ABRUPTLY ENTERED MY LANE WHEN CAR WENT INTO 2ND, LOCKED REAR END AND SPUN CAR, CAUSING ME TO CRASH ON SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WAS TOTALED, LUCKILY I WAS UNHARMED DUE…"~175,000 mi, complaint #1684850
  4. #4

    throttle and pedal

    13 unsafe

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=15, median 49,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK ON HIGHWAY AND IT TOOK A COUPLE MILES TO STOP. HAD CAR TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP. *TR"~26,344 mi, complaint #769525
    • "GAS PEDAL STUCK HAD TO SLAM BRAKES IT GOT UNSTUCK LUCKILY. *TR"~37,000 mi, complaint #822761
    • "THE GAS PEDAL WILL BE STUCK ACCELERATING, AND WILL NOT STOP. THE MAT WAS NOT EVEN ON THE FLOOR WHEN THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED. DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AND ALSO A BACK ROAD, HIT THE BREAK DOES NOT STOP OR DISENGAGE THE VEHICLE; TAP PEDAL DOES NOT DISENGAGE SPEED…"~49,000 mi, complaint #1027734
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSTALLING AFTERMARKET FLOOR MATS, THE FLOOR MAT BECAME LODGED BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANO…"~70,000 mi, complaint #954020
    • "WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DURING AFTERNOON RUSH HOUR, MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AT HIGH RATE (STUCK AT 4000-5000 RPM) CAUSING ME TO SPEED DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH VERY LITTLE ABILITY TO STOP AS I HIT THE BRAKES BUT COULD NOT OVERCOME THE ACCELERATION. THINKI…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1405019
  5. #5

    unintended acceleration

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "MY ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT. WHEN CAREFULLY BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO STOP THE CAR BY HITTING THE BRAKES. MY CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. IT CLIPPED ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. MY CAR CAME FINAL…"~5,450 mi, complaint #760007
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT RELATIVELY LOW, UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AS IT PROCEEDED TO JUMP A CONCRETE CURB AND CRASHE…"~19,700 mi, complaint #795246
    • "VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN IN A PARADE WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OR SURGED AT CHILDREN WALKING IN FRONT TWO SEPARATE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY THE BRAKE AND THE SECOND TIME WITH THE BRAKE AND THE GEAR SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. CAR WAS TAKEN T…"~27,000 mi, complaint #1201057
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD RESULTING IN A CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR INJURIES THAT WERE SUSTAINED DURING THE CRASH.…"~50,000 mi, complaint #822315
    • "MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE GETTING HOME FROM A SHORT TRIP. AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN AND TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. I HAD TO TURN SHARPLY TO AVOID A PARKED CAR AND WAS HEADED STRAIGHT INTO OUR NEIGHBORS HOUSE. I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE,…"~121,200 mi, complaint #1602139
  6. #6

    brake hydraulics

    5 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID N…"~2,600 mi, complaint #1200529
    • "BRAKE NOISE DURING NORMAL BRAKING OR DRIVING IN THE RAIN. *TR"~10,730 mi, complaint #673000
    • "MY NIECE WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON 4/10/2009. SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN A CAR SLOWED TO A STOP ON THE FREEWAY. SHE SLOWLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. SHE CONTINUED TO PRESS THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AS HARD AS SHE COULD.…"~18,000 mi, complaint #715645
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH , THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDAL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE, CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMB…"~54,000 mi, complaint #963804
    • "CAR WAS TAKEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR AIRBAG RECALL AND ALL 4 WHEEL BRAKE JOB (12-2017). 7 MONTHS AFTER A GRINDING AND PULSATION PRESENTED ITSELF IN THE BRAKE PEDAL UNDER MEDIUM TO HARD BRAKING CONDITIONS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. IT FELT LIKE THE ABS WAS KICKING…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1615751
  7. #7

    fluid leak unspecified

    3 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "I WAS DRIVING MY RECENTLY PURCHASED 08 MUSTANG (LEAST YEAR) IN THE HEAVY RAINS WE WERE HAVING. TO MY UTTER DISMAY, IT STARTS GUSHING, NOR LEAKING, GUSHING IN THROUGH WHAT SEEMED TO BE UNDER MY PASSENGER SIDE DASH. IT FLOODED MY FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR SIDE SO…"~37,500 mi, complaint #959772
    • "MY DRIVING AND PASSENGER SIDE LEAKS AND FLUIDS AND MY DRIVING DOOR ALSO GETS WATER INSIDE .... MY CAR ISN'T CRASHED FROM ANY OF THOSE SIDE OR HASN'T BEEN CRASHED. *TR"~50,000 mi, complaint #1167757
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, WATER LEAKED ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1187156
  8. #8

    paint and clearcoat

    1 unsafe, 4 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "MY PAINT LOCATED NEAR MY HOOD PINS IS BUBBLING DUE TO OXIDATION/RUST MAINLY, FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, IS DUE TO THE WRONG PART. FORD OR SHELBY HAVE DENIED MY MULTIPLE REQUESTS, EVEN WIRING WARRANTY DATES, TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. MULTIPLE 07-08 MUSTANG SHELBY GT'S…"~12,000 mi, complaint #953289
    • "PAINT BUBBLING ON FRONT EDGE OF HOOD. *TR"~26,000 mi, complaint #986379
    • "SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE EXPIRED I NOTICED PAINT BUBBLES ON THE FRONT LIP OF THE HOOD. I WAS STILL TWO YEARS AWAY FROM PAYING OFF THE VEHICLE. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOOK PHOTOS AND RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE HOOD REPLACEME…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1092565
    • "PAINT ON UNDERSIDE AND FRONT EDGE OF THE HOOD IS BUBBLING UP, ALSO THE PAINT IS DELAMINATING AROUND THE REAR GLASS, THE REAR QTR GLASSES ARE DELAMINATING, THE INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR GLASS IS LOSING ITS BACKING. *TR"~38,000 mi, complaint #1095016
    • "THE CLEAR COAT IS BUBBLING/POPPING OFF ON THE HOOD AND FENDERS. *TR"~52,000 mi, complaint #927939
  9. #9

    wiper and washer

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIE…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1670897
    • "WHEN IT RAINS WATER COMES IN THROUGH THE THE BACK WINDOW AND FLOODS THE INSIDE OF CAR. CAUSES MOLD AND PRODUCES A VERY BAD SMELL. I HAVE SEALED IT BUT IT KEEPS COMING UNDONE."~80,000 mi, complaint #1202626
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN IT RAINED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE SEATS AND FLOOR TO BE SOAKED WITH WATER. THE CONTACT CALLED CROSSROADS FORD OF KERNERSVILLE, INC. AT…"~104,000 mi, complaint #1515404
  10. #10

    differential

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "REAR END LEAKING< JUST REBUILT @ 6,670 MILES 12 FEB 08. *TR"~7,015 mi, complaint #673900
    • "REAR END MAKES A HOWLING SOUND AT 72 MPH. *TR"~10,730 mi, complaint #673003
    • "MY MUSTANG GT HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE TO THE CARS REAR END AFTER DISCOVERING A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. THERE IS NO REASON WHY A VEHICLE WITH 57000 ROAD MILES ON IT WOULD HAVE THIS TYPE OF A PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN…"~57,000 mi, complaint #1183108
  11. #11

    door latch and hinge

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH IN VERY HIGH CROSSWIND CONDITIONS WHEN THE HOOD BEGAN TO VIBRATE WILDLY AND THE LATCH RELEASED. SECONDARY LATCH CAUGHT THE HOOD BEFORE IT COMPLETELY FLEW UP. I SLAMMED THE HOOD SHUT AND WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE MY TRIP BUT T…"~3,300 mi, complaint #694016
    • "WHILE DRIVING MY FORD MUSTANG GT PREMIUM WITH THE BULLITT PACKAGE AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE HOOD SUDDENLY OPENED AND WAS CAUGHT BY THE SAFETY LATCH. I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO JARRETT-GORDON FORD WINTER HAVEN AND THEY ADJUSTED THE HOOD LATCH. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS D…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1391648
    • "AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE ON 9/30/14, THE DRIVER'S DOOR REFUSED TO LATCH AFTER ATTEMPTING CLOSING THE DOOR SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND THERE IS NO BODY DAMAGE WHATSOEVER. AS THIS INCIDENT HAS NEVER APPEARED BEFORE, I CALLED MY SERVICI…"~71,000 mi, complaint #1116650
  12. #12

    driveshaft axle cv

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AXLE. THE NOISE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND INCREASES WHEN DRIVING ON INCLINES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AT LEAST THREE TIM…"~4,527 mi, complaint #670024
    • "REAR END NOISE AND SLOPPY DRIVE SHAFT. REAR END HAD TO BE REBUILT. *TR"~6,670 mi, complaint #673005
  13. #13

    engine stall or no start

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "- FIRST INCIDENT - SEPTEMBER 2011 - WHILE TRAVELING 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR STOPPED RESPONDING TO ME PUSHING DOWN THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS STILL IDLING, BUT NO LONGER ACCELERATING. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED…"~49,876 mi, complaint #889564
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED REMAINED AT 70…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1710435
  14. #14

    transmission automatic

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AS THE GEAR LEVER BECAME DIFFICULT TO SHIFT FROM THE FIRST GEAR TO THE SECOND GEAR. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE GEA…"~9,800 mi, complaint #1155128
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR INDICATOR WAS FRACTURED, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO KNOW THE GEAR SHIFTER POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT…"~28,000 mi, complaint #1581127
    • "CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 25MPH OR SLIP INTO 3RD GEAR. TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION . CAR ONLY HAS102665 MILES . *TR"~102,665 mi, complaint #1111070
  15. #15

    hv system fault reduced power

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "AT HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS (DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD GO ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR. IT WOULD GO INTO "LIMP MODE" AND ONLY PROCEED AT IDLE SPEEDS. HAPPENED SPORATICALLY AT SEVERAL TIMES INCLUDING DANGER…"~134,000 mi, complaint #1303020
  16. #16

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT…"~44,000 mi, complaint #1131826
    • "THE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER FELL COMPLETELY OUT WHILE REMOVING THE IGNITION KEY."~55,000 mi, complaint #1289276
  17. #17

    tire failure

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "ON 24 AUGUST MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT AS IF IT WERE A RETREAD (I STILL HAVE THE TIRE. IT'S NOT A RETREAD, IT JUST CAME APART LIKE ONE. THE CAR JUST PASSED A SAFETY INSPECTION AT WOODBRIDGE VA MALLOY LINCOLN ON 31 JULY. I BOUGHT THE CAR ON 5 AUGUST AND T…"~20,693 mi, complaint #817626
    • "2 TIRES WITH SIDEWALL STRESS ISSUES IN A PERIOD OF 10 MONTHS 12,000 MILES I SPOKE TO THE TIRE COMPANY WHO ADVISED ME THAT I "PROBABLY HIT A CURB OR POT HOLE WHICH CAUSED A KNOT ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE", WHICH DID NOT HAPPEN. I HAD RAPID DEFLATION WHILE TRAVEL…"~69,000 mi, complaint #827040
  18. #18

    wiring harness

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "Interior fuse box keeps getting water or moisture which causing lots of electrical shorts in the wiring system."complaint #1752535
  19. #19

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. THE MERGE IS RIGHT BEFORE A BRIDGE SO I HAD TO CREEP ACROSS UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ENGINE DID NOT STALL BUT THERE WAS NO CONTROL IN THE GAS PEDAL. HAPPENED…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1005479
  20. #20

    alignment and pull

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "STEERING WHEEL SHAKE ON A 2008 MUSTANG GT. AT HIGHER SPEEDS IT COULD BECOME HAZARDOUS AND DRIVER MAY LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. *TR"complaint #681696
  21. #21

    battery and charging

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Battery goes dead when sitting for a week when not driven. When I charge the battery and hook up the terminals and turn on the ignition with key the radio comes on and I know it was shut off before shutting car down.I always shut off radio before shutting off…"complaint #2158999
  22. #22

    brake pads and rotors

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "REAR BRAKES SQUEAK DURING NORMAL STOP. *TR"~6,670 mi, complaint #673898
  23. #23

    catalytic converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HAS CRACKED AND MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ALMOST $1400. IT SEEMS A PART SO EXPENSIVE SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 75000 MILES, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY WHAT THE CAR HAS ON IT NOW. NO ONE CAN TELL ME W…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1315141
  24. #24

    control module

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "2008 MUSTANG GT 4.6L, SHAKER 500 RADIO DEFECT, FUEL SENSOR DEFECT- VEHICLE IS A DAILY DRIVER, PARKED IT FOR 4 DAYS OVER HOLIDAY, BATTERY DEAD. DETERMINATION FROM FORD DEALER SERVICE WAS SHAKER 500 6 DISC CHANGER WAS CYCLING DISCS WITH THE ENGINE AND IGNITION…"~6,976 mi, complaint #703963
  25. #25

    engine internal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "HARMONIC BALANCER PULLEY SEPARATED FROM HARMONIC BALANCER. CAUSED BELT TO SHRED AND LOSE OF POWER STEERING AND COOLING AND BRAKES. "~75,689 mi, complaint #1216382
  26. #26

    exhaust system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH HE HEARD A BANGING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WHERE HE NOTICED AN OBJECT LAYING IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZE…"~33,300 mi, complaint #822188
  27. #27

    glass and windshield

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "2008 FORD MUSTANG GT, PURCHASED ON 25 JULY 2008 PURCHASED NEW VEHICLE ON 25 JULY 2008. FIRST WATER DAMAGE WAS ON 5 SEPT 2008, THE CAR HELD APPROX. 3 INCHES OF RAIN WATER ON PASSENGER SIDE. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THEY FOUND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT PR…"~1,900 mi, complaint #690357
  28. #28

    instrument cluster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY 2008 FORD MUSTANG HAS DROPPED TO EMPTY WITH THE FOLLOWING ERROR CODE: "DTE FLI DATA ERROR: WITHOUT A PROPERLY WORKING FUEL GUAGE IT IS NOT KNOWN HOW MUCH FUEL IS REMAINING IN THE TANK AND THIS LEAVES THE DRIVER AND CAR PRONE TO RUNNING…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1369015
  29. #29

    lighting exterior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The headlights on my 2008 Ford Mustang are dim at best. And it's hard to drive the vehicle at night due to the lighting. I've already had one accident where a deer ran in front of me and that was due to it being at night on a dark Road. I have tried to fix it…"complaint #1892896
  30. #30

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I BROUGHT THE 2008 MUSTANG IN OCT21 2008 AND IT HAS TICKED SINCE I CALLED HARR FORD AND I TRIED TO TALK TO THE SALES PERSON HARR FORD WENT OUT OF BUSINESS I CALLED FORD AND TALKED TO A VARIETY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE I HAVE BROUGHT IT TWO DEALERS THE S…"~2,500 mi, complaint #699609
  31. #31

    power windows and locks

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ON THE EVENING OF JULY 22ND THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW MADE A SHARP METAL AGAINST GLASS SOUND AS THE WINDOW RETRACTED INTO THE DOOR. WHEN THE GLASS MOVED BACK INTO ITS NORMAL (UP) POSITION THE GLASS HAD A DEEP SCRATCH--LARGE ENOUGH TO FEEL WITH A NAIL. DEALERS…"~6,000 mi, complaint #680105
  32. #32

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE LATCH ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT SOMETIMES STICKS AND WILL NOT RELEASE AND AT OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT LATCH."~75,500 mi, complaint #1536639
  33. #33

    stability and traction control

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON A WET AND LIGHTLY SAND COVERED ROAD SURFACE, THE VEHICLE SPUN 360 DEGREES. THE TIRE TRACTION CONTROL DEVICE FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE VEHI…"~15,500 mi, complaint #727935
  34. #34

    starter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2008 MUSTANG GT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AN EXPLODING ELECTRICAL STARTER MOTOR *TGW THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED LOUD TRANSMISSION NOISES FROM THE DAY OF ORIGINAL PURCHASE. BECAUSE THE NOISE DID NOT SOUND NORMAL, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER. T…"complaint #888757
  35. #35

    steering column

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I have had my car for about 3 years now and long story short one day my whole ignition switch feel out and what happens is it lock the steering wheel while driving which will cause an accident."complaint #1825591
  36. #36

    steering rack mechanical

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I PURCHASE THIS CAR FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP SIX MONTHS AGO. ON 04/08/2012 ABOUT 1:50 AM I WAS HEADING HOME FROM AIRMOUNT, NY. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT OFF A WINDING ROAD GOING DOWN HILL. AS I WAS DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK OUT OF NO WHERE. THEN BR…"~26,000 mi, complaint #913889
  37. #37

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "FRONT END MAKES NOISE DURING TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR"~10,730 mi, complaint #673001
  38. #38

    tpms

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO FAILURE WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE JUNCTION BOX…"~18,000 mi, complaint #730406
  39. #39

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "1. ON SEPTEMBER 1ST, MY TIRE PRESSURE ON MY CAR SUDDENLY WENT DOWN AND I BLEW OUT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. I TOOK IT IN TO THE FORD DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY REPAIRED THE TIRE VALVE STEM FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS DEFECTIVE. TODAY (09/30/…"~7,902 mi, complaint #690552

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for FORD MUSTANG directly.