2005 Ford Mustang problems
Owners have filed 893 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Ford Mustang. Air bags is the most reported problem area, at 26% of complaints. Next are electrical system (26%) and fuel system (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 893 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 26% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 43 and 10
- Injuries and deaths
- 36 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 49,000 miles 581 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 160 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 74 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 108 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 113 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 66 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 29 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 16 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 5 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 5 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Of the 581 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 49,000 miles. For air bags specifically, the median reported mileage is about 56,000 miles (42 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 43 complaints mention a crash; 10 complaints mention a fire; 36 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2005 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 36 model years of the Ford Mustang with enough data (370 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 ford mustang. While driving 50 MPH, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The driver side air bag deployed, but the other air bags failed to deploy. The contact noticed smoke coming from the air bag. A police report was filed. The contact sustained an arm injury that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15v319000 and 16v384000 (air bags).
Severe one vehicle rollover off the road flipping over on driver side and roof. No airbags deployed although it was obvious they should have. Do not know what caused the vehicle to swerve off the rod. Driver in critical condition with broken neck.
At 40 MPH the 4 wheel antilock brakes on my 2005 ford mustang locked up when I was attempting to stop at a stop light, causing my car to hydroplane into the back of a dodge pickup. The engine in my car was driven back into the fire wall upon impact; however, my air bag system failed resulting in more serious injuries to me.
Purchased vehicle in 4/05-problems started in 10/05. Engine light on and engine idle rough on 4 separate occasions. Two sensors, a solenoid, and spark plug replaced on those occasions. Now car is at dealer because it will stall when idle and lose power. This is really not safe when you are entering traffic! Still waiting for the outcome of this. The fuel sending unit needed to be replaced due to erratic fuel gauge-the gauge would show empty when the tank was full.
Speedometer not functioning. While driving 30MPH will register as 50MPH or while driving 60pmh will register as 120MPH. Emissions trouble light will periodically go on.