Brands/Ford/Mustang/5th generation

Ford Mustang 5th generation (2004–2014)

Generation-specific owner insights from 121+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.

Photo: Denmark from United States / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Should I buy one?

4,542

US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2004–2014

recall campaigns

air bags

most-complained area

What owners say about this generation

Our take, from owner reports

Owner sentiment for the 2004-2014 Mustang is mixed and heavily dependent on engine choice and model year.

8 problems reported (4 recurrent, 4 isolated) · high confidence

Problems owners report

RecurrentWater leak into the passenger footwell from clogged cabin air filter drains under the cowl
RecurrentSpark plug breakage/blowout on 4.6L modular engines, especially pre-mid-2008
Recurrent4.0L V6 timing chain and guide failure requiring engine removal to repair

+ 5 more issues

Recurrent4.0L V6 generally criticized as underpowered and unreliable
IsolatedClunky first-gear engagement and synchro behavior on manual transmissions
IsolatedA/C damper door or control board failure
IsolatedOil leaks on higher-mileage examples
IsolatedInterior hard plastics and cheap-feeling materials

The version owners recommend

The strongest consensus favors the 2011+ cars, particularly the 2011+ V6 (3.7L) and the 2013 GT, which owners say avoids earlier engine issues. Among early cars, the 4.6L V8 GT is preferred over the 4.0L V6, with one owner noting the 4.6 is "the last decent thing Ford made" in that era. Multiple owners advise skipping the 2005-2010 V6 entirely.

Competitors to consider

Owners compare it most often with the Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette (C5), Nissan 350Z/370Z, Pontiac GTO and Honda Accord coupe.

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Full owner report

Overall sentiment

Owner sentiment for the 2004-2014 Mustang is mixed and heavily dependent on engine choice and model year. The 4.6L V8 (GT) earns consistent praise as reliable, easy to work on, and supported by cheap, plentiful parts, with owners citing examples running past 200,000 miles. The 4.0L V6 (2005-2010) draws sharp criticism as underpowered and burdened by timing chain problems, and several owners explicitly steer buyers away from it. The 2011+ cars, which gained the 3.7L V6 and 5.0L Coyote V8, are viewed far more favorably, with owners calling the later V6 a big improvement and the Coyote a strong, reliable engine. A recurring theme is that condition and prior ownership matter more than the badge, with owners warning that many used GTs have been driven hard.

Positioning vs competitors

Owners frequently position this generation as the cheaper, more practical, and easier-to-live-with choice against Camaros and Corvettes, while conceding those rivals are faster and, in some cases, seen as more reliable. The 350Z/370Z and LS1 F-body cars are repeatedly recommended as more reliable or more fun alternatives to the V6 Mustang specifically. Against economy cars like the Accord coupe and Focus, owners describe the V6 Mustang as slower and cheaper-feeling inside, though still more characterful. The GT is often framed as a better "car" than a Camaro even when the Camaro is called the better "racecar."

Recommended configurations

Owners recommend the 4.6L V8 GT over the 4.0L V6 for the 2005-2010 range, and the 2011+ 3.7L V6 or 5.0L Coyote GT for later years. Manual transmissions are generally preferred, though one owner notes Ford's automatics of that era were hit-or-miss. For the 4.6L, owners stress using the revised one-piece Motorcraft spark plugs and properly torquing them. Several owners suggest buying a well-maintained, stock example over a modified one.

General recommendations

This generation suits buyers who want an affordable, easy-to-work-on rear-wheel-drive car with cheap parts and strong aftermarket support, and who accept that condition matters more than mileage. Owners advise preferring 2011+ cars, especially the 3.7L V6 and Coyote GT, and avoiding the 2005-2010 4.0L V6. Buyers are urged to get a pre-purchase inspection, verify maintenance records, check for water leaks under the cowl, and confirm the spark plugs have been addressed. Several owners warn that used GTs may have been driven hard and recommend inspecting closely for signs of abuse.

Remarks

Owners repeatedly emphasize that this generation's reputation hinges on which engine and model year is chosen, and that the 4.0L V6 is the weakest link in the lineup. Parts availability and low repair costs are cited as major ownership advantages. Several owners note that low-mileage examples may have degraded rubber from sitting. Analysis based on approximately 121 substantive owner discussions about this generation.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Most-reported area
2014	359	4	air bags
2013	271	6	air bags
2012	469	7	power train
2011	466	5	power train
2010	261	6	air bags
2009	181	6	air bags
2008	347	8	air bags
2007	615	9	air bags
2006	575	9	air bags
2005	868	9	air bags
2004	130	6	vehicle speed control

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.

Recall notices for this generation

2014 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 19V001000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

2014 · air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator modulecampaign 15V319000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2014 Mustang vehicles manufactured April 6, 2004, to June 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 GT vehicles manufactured February 20, 2004, to September 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

2014 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 21E013000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

2014 · air bags:frontalcampaign 21V081000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

2013 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 19V001000

2013 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V046000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2009 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

2013 · air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator modulecampaign 15V319000

2013 · power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)campaign 12V190000

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.

2013 · air bags:frontalcampaign 21V081000

2013 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 21E013000

2012 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 19V001000

2012 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 17V024000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

10 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.

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Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.