2003 Ford Mustang Complaint Log

SPARK PLUG WAS SPIT OUT OF HEAD. IT HAS THE FACTORY PLUGS IN IT NEVER BEEN CHANGED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR,THE DEALERSHIP, CHECKED SPARK PLUG IN QUESTION,THEN TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. AT THIS POINT I DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS OK OR NOT? BUT I AM DRIVING IT TILL IT BREAKS AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 65 MPH. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO DOWNSHIFT IN ORDER TO GET THE STOP THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE DEALER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 8/2/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHENEVER HE USED THE CONTROL, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE AND INCREASE IN SPEED. HE WOULD HAVE TO DOWNSHIFT IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN. UPDATED 08/09/10*JB

WAS GOING 25 MPH WHEN SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF MY 2003 FORD MUSTANG. FROM TALKING WITH OTHERS THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM RESULTING FROM ONLY 4 THREADS. I NEARLY HAD A WRECK THINKING AND HELD UP TRAFFIC IN A VERY DANGEROUS AREA AS I WAS AFRAID TO RESTART CAR. *TR

I PARKED THE CAR ALONG THE CURB AT UCLA AND SPENT THE NIGHT AT THE DORMS. THE CAR WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY FINE, I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. WHEN I AWOKE THE FOLLOWING MORNING A FRIEND AND I WERE HUNGRY SO WE DECIDED TO GO TO MCDONALD'S. IT WAS APPROX. 1.5 - 2 MILES AWAY. WHILE WE WERE SITTING IN THE DRIVE THROUGH, I STARTED TO HEAR A LOUD NOISE, KIND OF LIKE A BELT SQUEAKING INSIDE THE HOOD. I COULDN'T TELL IF IT WAS FROM MY CAR OR THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF ME, SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF. THE NOISE STOPPED. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON HOWEVER, THE NOISE GOT UNBEARABLY LOUD AND SOUNDED LIKE METAL ON METAL, AND WE NOTICED THE AROMA OF SOMETHING BURNING. I EXITED THE DRIVE THROUGH AND STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT. I LOOKED AT THE GAUGES, AND THE OIL, BATTERY AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES WERE ALL WHERE THEY NORMALLY SHOULD BE, BOUT IN THE MIDDLE TO SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE HALFWAY MARK...WELL...THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AND I ASSUMED THEN THAT IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I KNEW THERE WAS A GAS STATION UP AHEAD, SO I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN, IT HAD SOME PROBLEMS STARTING UP, BUT THEN FINALLY STARTED AND I WAS GOING TO DRIVE THE BLOCK REMAINING TO THE GAS STATION. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE WAS A LOUD POP UNDER THE HOOD, AND ALL THE GAUGES DROPPED AND I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LET IT COAST TO THE SIDEWALK, WHEN I EXITED THE CAR, THERE WAS OIL ALL OVER THE GROUND, LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE AND I NOTICED THAT UNDER THE HOOD, THE PLASTIC CAP THAT WAS COVERING THE PISTONS (I ASSUME) WAS CRACKED...THERE WAS SMOKE EVERYWHERE. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER CAME, HE SAID THAT SOMEHOW SOMETHING CAME UNLOOSE FROM THE ENGINE AND SHOT UP THROUGH THE PISTONS AND THAT'S WHAT BROKE THE PLASTIC CAP. HE SAID HE'S NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE IN HIS 30 YRS OF SERVICE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD POPPING SOUND. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. SHE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE NUMBER 8 SPARK PLUG HAD BECOME DETACHED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

JULY 2007 THROUGH CURRENT DATE. CAR STALLS WHEN PUSHING IN CLUTCH TO STOP OR MAKE TURNS. THERE IS A TSB (17542)ON THIS ISSUE BUT NO RECALL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH COULD BE FATAL TO A NOVICE DRIVER; ESPECIALLY WHEN CAR STALLS DURING A LEFT HAND TURN. *TR

ON COLD START, THERE IS A "TICKING" SOUND. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND HE GAVE ME A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ARTICLE #03-25-6, DATED 12/22/03, REGARDING FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY ENGINES BUILT BEFORE 9/17/2003. EMAILED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO FIND OUT WHAT COULD BE DONE TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION AS IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT OF THE CAR ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. ALL THEY COULD TELL ME IS THERE IS NO RECALL AND TAKE IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED IF NEED. *TR

2003 FORD MUSTANG CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THAT HER STEPDAUGHTER'S MUSTANG CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IN THE MOTOR WALL. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE WHEELS BEGAN TO SPIN. THE ENGINE STALLED MOMENTARILY. THE CONTACT REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THEN ACCELERATED AGAIN. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD IT RECOMPUTERIZED. A MECHANIC AT A GARAGE SENT THE VEHICLE TO FORD FOR INVESTIGATION, BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BEARING MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,750. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED

5 OF MY SPARK PLUGS ON MY 2003 MUSTANG GT 4.6 POPPED OUT OF THE SPARK PLUG HOLE IN THE CYLINDER HEAD.ALL THESE SPARK PLUGS POPPED OUT AT DIFFERENT TIMES,2 SPARK PLUGS HOLES WERE STRIPED OUT AND HAD TO BE TAPPED OUT. THIS ALL HAPPENED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE MOTOR TOO. *TR

1) EVERYTHING WAS RUNNING FINE, NO PROBLEMS DETECTED. MAINTENANCE ON VEHICLE WAS UP TO DATE. WAS TURNING A CORNER AND THERE WAS A POP AND AFTER THAT THE ENGINE STARTED TO MIS-FIRE. 2) WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE 2 MILES TO THE FORD SERVICE CENTER. THERE, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THAT THIS HAPPENS ON OCCASION. I HAD TWO OPTIONS: THE FIRST WAS TO PAY $610 TO PUT A PATCH IN THAT WASN'T PROVIDED WITH A WARRANTY AND THEY TOLD ME IT COULD LAST 2 YEARS OR BLOW 2 MILES DOWN FROM THE SHOP AFTER I LEFT, OR PAY $2500 AND HAVE A NEW CYLINDER PUT IN. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH FORD VEHICLES, THAT FORD IS AWARE OF BUT IS NOT TAKING CARE OF. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT EVEN IF THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THIS AND I WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A CAR I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX FOR A WHILE AND A CAR MAKER WHO CAN'T ADMIT THAT THEY BUILT A FAULTY ENGINE AND FIX THEIR PROBLEM. 3) NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS YET, AS I AM LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO CAN FIX IT RIGHT AT A LOWER COST. *JB

MY 2003 MUSTANG HAS A DRIVER SIDE CARPET PROBLEM WHERE THE CARPET COMES UNATTACHED AND FOLDS DOWN AT THE TOP. WELL IT HOOKED MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. HEADING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT DOWNSHIFTING INTO 2ND AND THEN HAVING YOUR GAS PEDAL STUCK IS SCARY TO SAY THE LEAST. IF FORD DOESN'T WANT A LOT OF LAWSUITS I SUGGEST THEY OPEN A RECALL ON THIS, IT WILL BE WAY CHEAPER IN THE LONG RUN. *JB

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BLOW A HOLE AT THE CROSSOVER EXCHANGE, CAUSING COOLANT TO EXPLODE OUT LIKE A GUYSER AND GOT ON MY FACE WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE WHAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM! IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT A RECALL OR CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT IN 2005. CAN I BE REIMBERSED THE PRODUCT HAS BEEN KNOWINGLY AND WIDELY VIEWED BE EVRYBODY AS DEFECTIVE.

DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AND MY RIGHT ARM WAS INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS UNEXPECTED MALFUNCTION. *NM

I WAS TURNING RIGHT IN A PARKING LOT AT 15+MPH WHEN I HIT A PARKING STALL CURB IN THE SNOW. THE WHEELS STOPPED BY HITTING THE CURB WITH AROUND A 3 INCH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE CEMENT BLOCK. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON STOPPING ON THE CURB. NO BODY OR MECHANICAL DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE VEHICLE. *JB

CAR OCCASIONALLY AND RANDOMLY STALLS WHEN SLOWING TO STOP OR MAKE A TURN AFTER CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. *NM

VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A FRONT END SHIMMY WHEN CAR IS TRAVELING BETWEEN 60-65 MPH. THIS IS A 2003 MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. FORWARD SUN GEAR W/TORRINGTON BEARING. *TR

INTERIOR A/C BLOWER FAN(DASHBOARD VENTS) STOPS WORKING AFTER IN USE FOR 1 HOUR. *AK

I OWN A 2003 MACH1 MUSTANG. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT WEAR TO THE CARPET NEXT TO THE GAS PEDAL AND JUST ABOVE THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 36,000 MILES. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE CARPET HAS FALLEN DOWN ABOVE THE GAS/BREAK/CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY AS WELL AS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS CAUSED DIFFICULTY IN USING THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER "REGLUED" THE CARPET. *NM

2003 FORD MUSTANG COBRA HAS A STALLING PROBLEM, THIS HAPPENS WHEN DECELERATING, OR SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL WHEN STOPPING. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, SUCH AS REAR-ENDING SOMEONE, SINCE YOU LOOSE POWER BRAKING AND STEERING. THERE IS A SUPPOSED FIX FOR IT, (A COMPUTER REFLASH) WHICH I HAVE HAD TWICE, BUT IT JUST PLAIN DOESN'T WORK. *NM

2003 MUSTANG SVT COBRA CONVERTIBLE. REAR WHEEL HOP WITH TRACTION CONTROL ON OR OFF. DEALER SAID THIS IS THE NATURE OF THE BEAST. I FEEL THIS COULD CREATE A HAZARD OR OTHER DAMAGE TO AUTO PARTS. *TR

WHILE SITTING AT THE TRAFFIC INTERSECTION AWAITING THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN. I HEARD A LOUD POP FROM UNDER HOOD AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE CAR BEGAN TO RUN LIKE CRAP. I PULLED OVER TO CHECK UNDER THE CAR TO SEE IF SOMETHING HAD FALLEN OFF, BUT I FOUND NOTHING. I THEN CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD TO FIND OUT MY SPARK BLEW OUT MY PASSENGER SIDE CYLINDER HEAD. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, BUT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THEY DO NOT COVER SPARK PLUG DAMAGES. THIS LEFT WITH A $4,463 REPAIR COST TO FIX MY CAR THAT I ONLY OWNED FOR THREE MONTHS. WHILE DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND ASKING QUESTIONS IN MECHANIC SHOPS, IT HAS BEEN APPARENT THAT FORD ENGINES HAVE DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEADS AND RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUES IN REGARD TO THIS MATTER. THERE ARE MANY VICTIMS AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE AND FORD HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I DRIVE A 2003 FORD MUSTANG COBRA. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED MY CAR YET BECAUSE I'M STILL HOPING FOR $4000 TO FALL FROM THE SKY. *NM

WE HAVE OWNED SEVERAL DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS OF MUSTANGS (2003, 1998, 1996 TO BE EXACT). FOR REASONS UNKNOWN, THE SEAT BELTS FOR THE FRONT BUCKET SEATS BECOME TWISTED AND DO NOT SECURE A PERSON PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN ALL THREE OF THESE VEHICLES. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SPECIFIC INCIDENT RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IF FORD DOES NOT RESEARCH THIS ONGOING CONCERN, THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS IN THESE CARS. NOTE: THIS PROGRAM REQUIRES A DATE TO BE ENTERED SO I USED TODAY'S DATE EVEN THOUGH THIS DOES NOT REFERENCE A SPECIFIC EVENT. IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. AFTER THE ACTIVATION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE REACHED SPEEDS OF 80 MPH AND ABOVE. THE CONTACT TRIED DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. THESE ATTEMPTS TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO AN ON RAMP TO THE INTERSTATE WHILE STILL ATTEMPTING TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DIAL 911 FOR ASSISTANCE OF THE STATE POLICE, WHO PROVIDED VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR STOPPING THE VEHICLE SAFELY. THE CONTACT PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES AND BOTH HANDS ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET THE ENGINE TO STALL AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL WOULD BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE RESIDENCE WHERE IT CURRENTLY RESIDES WITHOUT REPAIR. UPDATED 3/29/2006 - *NM

LTR FM (OK) WANTS TO SPEAK W/A FORD REPRESENTATIVE RE HIS GRANDDAUGHTER 2003 FORD MUSTANG SRS DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSE THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP. *TS

ACCELERATOR CAUGHT ON THE CARPET OF CAR, HOLDING THE ACCELERATOR DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO COME BACK UP BY BANGING ON THE ACCELERATOR, HOWEVER SEVERAL SECONDS PASSED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE MERGING ONTO I-69 NEAR CHARLOTTE, MI. NO MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THIS CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, BUT MY FIRST REPORT. THIS IS A FORD MUSTANG COBRA CONVERTIBLE. THESE ARE NOT LISTED UNDER VEHICLE. *JB

GAS PEDAL STUCK TO FLOOR CAUSING CRASH AND CAR BEING TOTALED. *NM

WHILE SLOWING DOWN, DOWNSHIFTING OR SWITCHING GEARS, THE CAR ENGINE WILL JUST FAIL AND SHUT OFF/STALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CAR WILL NOT "BUCK" OR SHAKE, IT WILL JUST TURN OFF, CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO STOP OPERATING. I HAVE HAD TWO CLOSE INCIDENTS WHERE I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND ALMOST HIT A CAR BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING SHUT OFF WHEN THE ENGINE DIED WITHOUT WARNING. I AM AFRAID THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE TWO YOUNG CHILDREN RIDING IN THE VEHICLE MOST OF THE TIME. I TOOK THE CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP THEY STATED THAT THEY DID A FULL INSPECTION BUT DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I AM STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AT LEAST SEVERAL TIMES A DAY WHEN MY ENGINE WILL JUST SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR NOTICE WHILE I AM OPERATING IT. BOTH MY HUSBAND AND MY FATHER HAVE DRIVEN MY CAR AND EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM SO I KNOW THAT IT IS NOT THE WAY I AM DRIVING IT. *NM

DT: CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE SHE OWNS HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR BRAKES, THE SEAT BELTS, AND THE COMPUTER CHIP THAT MADE THE VEHICLE START. NOW, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. THE REPAIRS WERE BEING MADE AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.

GAS PEDAL STUCK TO CARPETING WHILE MERGING ONTO EXPRESSWAY. 2003 MUSTANG COBRA COUPE. *NM

GAS PEDAL STUCK UNDER CARPET. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING THAT LEADS TO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CONSTANTLY FAILS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE AND WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE, HE CANNOT SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. NEW TERMINAL ENDS WERE PLACED ON THE SWITCH; HOWEVER, THE WIRING CONTINUES TO FAIL. THE REPAIR USUALLY LASTS SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

GAS PEDAL KEEPS GETTING STUCK UNDER CARPET. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO SOMEONE BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET THE GAS PEDAL LOOSE. *NM

I PULLED OUT OF THE BANK PARKING LOT AND WHILE ACCELERATING GENTLY I HEARD A LOUD "POP" NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR THEN BEGAN TO RUN VERY BADLY AND THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE ENGINE TO FIND THAT ONE OF MY SPARK PLUGS HAD BEEN FORCEFULLY EJECTED. I CONTINUED HOME WHERE I REMOVED THE PLUG TO FIND THAT THE PLUG THREADS INSIDE THE CYLINDER HEAD HAD ALL BE DAMAGED AND WOULD NEED FIXED. I FIXED THE PROBLEM MYSELF AS I WAS INFORMED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST NEARLY $1,000 TO REPLACE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CERTAIN CYLINDER HEADS DATING BACK TO 1997 AND YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *NM

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2003 FORD MUSTANG COBRA CONVERTIBLE IN PLACENTIA, CA AND WAS VERY EXCITED TO HAVE MY FIRST MUSTANG. I AM 32 AND MARRIED WITH TWO CHILDREN AGES 13 AND 5 SO OUR OTHER CAR IS A MINIVAN. IN THE END, AS YOU WILL SEE IN THIS DESCRIPTION, THIS WAS THE WORST PURCHASE I HAVE EVER MADE IN REGARDS TO A VEHICLE. AFTER AROUND 7,000-9,000 MILES ( I WOULD HAVE TO PULL THE PAPERWORK AS I AM AT WORK NOW) THE CAR OVER-HEATED ON THE FREEWAY AND DURING THE OVERHEATING THE CAR SHUT DOWN FORCING ME TO LOSE POWER STEERING AND THE CAR BEGAN TO DRIFT LEFT IN TO THE OTHER LANE. I PUMPED THE CLUTCH SEVERAL TIMES AND SUCCESSFULLY WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR RUNNING JUST FAR ENOUGH TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND CALL A TOW TRUCK. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE SINCE TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AROUND 65-70 MPH. THE CAR WAS SENT TO FRITTS FORD IN RIVERSIDE, CA AND I FOUND OUT THAT NOT ONLY WAS THE RADIATOR CAP CRACKED AS WELL AS THE RADIATOR BUT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (I KNOW MY SPELLING IS WRONG HERE) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR SOME REASON. I BELIEVE THEY SAID IT HAD A HOLE IN IT WHICH I CAN'T BELIEVE AFTER ONLY 7K-9K MILES. I ALSO BELIEVE THEY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. IT WAS TOO LONG AFTER I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK (ABOUT 3K-5K MILES) THAT THE OVERHEATING HAPPENED AGAIN, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, ETC AND I WAS FORCED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AGAIN LUCKILY WAS NOT HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. THE CAR WAS BACK AT THE DEALER AND THE RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT WERE REPLACED I BELIEVE. SINCE THEN I HAVE MOVED TO TEXAS AND THE SAME THING HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. EACH TIME (WELL THE FIRST TWO SINCE THE LAST ONE JUST HAPPENED LAST NIGHT) I WAS TOLD THE THERMOSTAT WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I GUARANTEE NOW THAT THE CAR IS AT BOB TOMES FORD IN MCKINNEY TEXAS FOR THE 3RD TIME WITH ONLY 22,000 TOTAL MILES THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS BAD AGAIN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM

PAINT BEGAN TO PEEL FROM VEHICLE AT 37,000 MILES. ONLY ON HOOD. *JB

2003 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE REAR WHEELS WOULD BOUNCE UP AND DOWN WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS AND WHEN PULLING OFF FAST.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS ON OR OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE WHEEL HOPPING WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE CONSUMER GO TO AN AFTER MARKET SUPPLIER. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION. *JB

PURCHASED A 2003 FORD MUSTANG WITH 22,000 MILES ON IT IN FEB 2005. HAD A TICKING/TAPPING SOUND COMING OUT OF ENGINE BAY AREA AT 30,720 MILES. TOOK IT TO GERVAIS FORD IN MA, TECH LOOKED AT IT QUICKLY OUT IN THE LOT AND SAID IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT BUT I COULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT IF I WOULD LIKE TO. MADE AN APPOINTMENT THE FOLLOWING WEEK, HAD 2 TECH'S LOOK AT AND THEY BOTH SAID IT WAS NORMAL AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. WELL TO MY SURPRISE AT 37,000 MILES 1,000 MILES AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED THE ENGINE FAILS. TOOK IT BACK TO GERVAIS FORD AND WAS TOLD BOTH HEAD GASKETS BLEW AND IT WILL COST ME CLOSE TO $2,000 TO REPAIR. POSSIBLY MORE IF ANY INTERNAL DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS ON A VEHICLE THAT IS NEW AND THE ISSUE COULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLY RESOLVED EARLIER IF THAT FORD DEALER PROPERLY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. *JB

WHEN THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTS, AND IT HAS A TWIST IN THE BELT MATERIAL (WEBBING), THE RETRACTING MECHANISM WILL LOCK PREVENTING THE BELT FROM BEING PULLED BACK OUT. THIS LOCK IS SIMILAR TO THE LOCKING WHICH THE RETRACTOR DOES, AS IT IS DESIGNED TO DO, DURING RAPID DECELERATION. THE BELT (WEBBING) "GUIDE" ALLOWS THE BELT TO RETRACT WITH ONE OR MORE TWISTS IN THE WEBBING JUST AS EASILY AS IT DOES WHEN THERE IS NO TWISTS. IN OTHER WORDS, THE "GUIDE" DOESN'T PREVENT THE BELT FROM RETRACTING WHEN THERE IS A TWIST IN THE WEBBING, AND THUS DOESN'T PREVENT THE RETRACTOR LOCK UP PROBLEM. THE RETRACTOR LOCKS WITH THE BELT IN THE FULLY RETRACTED POSITION (THE WEBBING IS FULLY WOUND UP INTO THE RETRACTOR). WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THIS PROBLEM MAKES THE SEAT BELT UNAVAILABLE FOR USAGE BY THE PASSENGER (CHILD) IN THAT SEAT POSITION. THIS LEAVES THIS PASSENGER (CHILD) WITH NO SEAT BELT TO USE, AND OF COURSE, NOW LEAVES THEM VULNERABLE FOR SERIOUS INJURY IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOT A UNIT FAILURE, BUT AN UNFORTUNATE SIDE EFFECT OF THE (POOR) DESIGN. SOMETIMES YOU CAN "TEASE" THE RETRACTING MECHANISM INTO RELEASING THE LOCK. HOWEVER, MANY TIMES YOU NEED TO DISASSEMBLE THE MECHANISM TO RELEASE THE LOCK. AGAIN, THIS MAKES THE SEAT BELT UNAVAILABLE FOR USAGE UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT THE DISASSEMBLY CAN BE SCHEDULED AND COMPLETED. IN OTHER WORDS, UNTIL THE UNIT CAN BE REPAIRED. SEAT BELTS SHOULD ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE FOR USAGE. ANYTHING OTHER THAN 100% AVAILABILITY FOR A SEAT BELT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS FAILED. THE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT AND WOULD BECOME STUCK AND/OR TWISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SEAT BELT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,066 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,703.

CONVERTIBLE TOP IS LEAKING CAUSING WATER DAMAGE ON INSIDE OF CAR. *NM

I WAS DOING SOME ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON MY 2003 JACK ROUSH EDITION SVT COBRA COUPE WHEN I NOTICED SOMETHING REALLY SCARY. THE INSIDE SIDEWALL SEAM OF A FRONT AND REAR TIRE WAS SPLITTING AROUND ITS CIRCUMFERENCE. I'M CERTAIN THAT HAD I BEEN DRIVING AT SPEED OR ON A HOT ROAD SURFACE THAT PRESSURES WOULD HAVE BUILT TO THE POINT OF CAUSING A BLOW-OUT. I HAD A SIMILAR TIRE DEFECT, COINCIDENTALLY, WITH ANOTHER SET OF BFG-KD'S THAT WERE ON MY ROUSH CONVERTIBLE. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME THAT TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD FROM THE PORT IN FLORIDA TO MY NEW DUTY STATION IN TEXAS. ANYWAY, I GOT IN TOUCH WITH BF GOODRICH CORPORATE AND INITIALLY ONLY OFFERED 50% REIMBURSEMENT OF ALL FOUR TIRES. LATER THAT CHANGE TO 75% THEN THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THEM WITH 4 NEW BFG-KDS IN MY ROUSH-OEM SIZES. THEY CLAIM THAT DUE TO TREAD WEAR THEIR WARRANTY ALLOWS FOR THAT COMPENSATION. MY POSITION WAS THAT I SHOULD RECEIVE 100% REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE WHETHER OR NOT THE TIRES HAD X% OF TREAD REMAINING OR WERE NEW, THE FACT REMAINS THAT THEY WERE STILL DEFECTIVE. THE FIRST TIME I WAS UNLUCKY BECAUSE THE TIRE BLEW-OUT RIGHT I WAS GOING TO PUT MORE AIR IN IT. THIS TIME I CAUGHT THE DEFECT BEFORE THE TIRES COULD BLOW-OUT. ONE CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE RESULT IF A BLOW-OUT OCCURRED ESPECIALLY IF IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT MY "NORMAL" SPEEDS. SINCE THIS CLAIM I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT OTHER OWNERS OF BFG TIRES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WHICH HAS RESULTED IN TIRE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY THE BFG TIRE DISTRIBUTOR IN MY AREA (T.O. HAUS, OMAHA NE) CONFIRMED THAT THEY TOO HAVE SEEN THESE FAILURES BEFORE IN MY EXACT TYPE OF TIRE. BFG CORPORATE KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE IT AND ONLY OFFERS PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR LOSS. I'M CERTAIN THAT IT WILL TAKE MORE TRAGEDIES AND FATALITIES BEFORE THEY ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. *NM

I WAS DOING SOME ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON MY 2003 JACK ROUSH EDITION SVT COBRA COUPE WHEN I NOTICED SOMETHING REALLY SCARY. THE INSIDE SIDEWALL SEAM OF A FRONT AND REAR TIRE WAS SPLITTING AROUND ITS CIRCUMFERENCE. I'M CERTAIN THAT HAD I BEEN DRIVING AT SPEED OR ON A HOT ROAD SURFACE THAT PRESSURES WOULD HAVE BUILT TO THE POINT OF CAUSING A BLOW-OUT. I HAD A SIMILAR TIRE DEFECT, COINCIDENTALLY, WITH ANOTHER SET OF BFG-KD'S THAT WERE ON MY ROUSH CONVERTIBLE. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME THAT TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD FROM THE PORT IN FLORIDA TO MY NEW DUTY STATION IN TEXAS. ANYWAY, I GOT IN TOUCH WITH BF GOODRICH CORPORATE AND INITIALLY ONLY OFFERED 50% REIMBURSEMENT OF ALL FOUR TIRES. LATER THAT CHANGE TO 75% THEN THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THEM WITH 4 NEW BFG-KDS IN MY ROUSH-OEM SIZES. THEY CLAIM THAT DUE TO TREAD WEAR THEIR WARRANTY ALLOWS FOR THAT COMPENSATION. MY POSITION WAS THAT I SHOULD RECEIVE 100% REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE WHETHER OR NOT THE TIRES HAD X% OF TREAD REMAINING OR WERE NEW, THE FACT REMAINS THAT THEY WERE STILL DEFECTIVE. THE FIRST TIME I WAS UNLUCKY BECAUSE THE TIRE BLEW-OUT RIGHT I WAS GOING TO PUT MORE AIR IN IT. THIS TIME I CAUGHT THE DEFECT BEFORE THE TIRES COULD BLOW-OUT. ONE CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE RESULT IF A BLOW-OUT OCCURRED ESPECIALLY IF IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT MY "NORMAL" SPEEDS. SINCE THIS CLAIM I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT OTHER OWNERS OF BFG TIRES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WHICH HAS RESULTED IN TIRE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY THE BFG TIRE DISTRIBUTOR IN MY AREA (T.O. HAUS, OMAHA NE) CONFIRMED THAT THEY TOO HAVE SEEN THESE FAILURES BEFORE IN MY EXACT TYPE OF TIRE. BFG CORPORATE KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE IT AND ONLY OFFERS PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR LOSS. I'M CERTAIN THAT IT WILL TAKE MORE TRAGEDIES AND FATALITIES BEFORE THEY ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. *JB

I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECORDED IN THE CURRENT NTSA INVESTIGATION NUMBER PE05038 WHERE ACCELLATOR PEDAL STUCK WIDE OPEN DUE TO CARPET INTERFERENCE FOR FORD 2003 MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE GT. THIS HAPPENED ON 7/22/05 AND 7/13/05 AND ONCE IN 2004 ON 8/17/04

SECOND TIME FOR CONTROL ARMS NEEDING REPLACED. IN LESS THAN 4,000 HAD REAR CONTROL REPLACED AND NOW 4,000 MILES LATER NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN.HEARD A SCREECHING NOISE IN REAR OF CAR AND GARAGE COULDN'T HEAR THE PROBLEM TWICE BEFORE SO ITS NOTICABLE NOW. THEY ORDERED THE NEW PARTS FOR MONDAY 25 TO BE REPLACED

I AM WRITING THIS BECAUSE OF THE RESEARCH REGARDING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERANCE WITH THE CARPET WITH MY 2003 FORD MUSTANG. THE CARPET FREES ITSELF FROM THE HOLDER AND LODGES ITSELF BETWEEN THE PEDALS. TO DATE THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY DAMAGES OCCURED BY THIS, HOWEVER IT DOES INTEREFERE WITH THE GAS PEDAL.

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR STUCK ON 2003, FORD MUSTANG. CONSUMER WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WHEN HE PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND BACKED UP. THE MOTOR STARTED RACING , AND THE ACCELERATOR STUCK WHILE THE DRIVER WAS BACKING, AND HE CRASHED INTO A MOVING CAR. THE POLICE CAME AND WROTE THE CONSUMER A TICKET FOR IMPROPER BACKING, BUT DID NOT WRITE A POLICE REPORT ON THE ACCIDENT. THE OWNER HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT THE OWNER HAS ONLY OWNED THE CAR SINCE APRIL 10.. CONSUMER WAS STILL DRIVING THE CAR. THE OWNER HAS NOT HAD THE CAR CHECKED FOR ANY MALFUNCTION. CONSUMER HAS NOT TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP, OR THE MANUFACTURER. ALSO, HERE WAS NO INSURANCE REPORT ON THE ACCIDENT. THE OWNER WAS TRAVELING AT A 10 MPH WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED. OWNER PLANNED TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT TODAY FOR COSMETIC DAMAGES, AND THE ACCELERATOR CHECKED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO REPORT. *AK *TT

ACCELLERATOR PEDAL STICKS DOWN (AT FULL THROTTLE) BECAUSE IT GETS ENTANGLED IN FACTORY CARPETING THAT IS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED OR ATTACHED AT TIME OF MANUFACTURE OF VEHICLE.

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK TODAY AND WAS GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I WENT TO LET OFF THE GAS THE PEDEL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR....I DID NOT GET THE CAR TURNED OFF UNTILL ALMOST 100 MILES PER HOUR....THEN, AT THAT SPEED WITH NO POWER BRAKES AND STEERING...I ALMOST SLAMED INTO THE FOUR CARS AHEAD OF ME..( I MISSED THEM BY JUST A FEW FEET)..WITH THE E-BREAK ON AND PUSHING AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKES I MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE ABOUT 1500' DOWN THE ROAD. UPON INVESTIGATING THE CAR I FOUND THE REASON FOR THE STUCK THROTTLE WAS THAT THE PEDEL HAD STUCK UNDER THE EDGE OF THE CARPET BY THE PEDEL (BOTTOM). I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND THE WIFE MIGHT NOT HAVE THOUGHT QUICK ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT TO DO AND MY KIDS COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR. I KNOW FOR SURE IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN ALOT LONGER FOR HER TO STOP THAN ME. FORD NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. THE CARPET SHOULD BE UPDATED AND THE CARPET SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH BETTER FIT IN THE GAS/BRAKE/CLUTCH AREA. THIS IS EXTREAMLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE MOST THESE CARS PUT DOWN 380 HP AT THE WHEELS!