2002 Ford MUSTANG: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
118 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
45,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 53 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 118 complaints (10.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 24 | 20.3% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 13.6% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 6.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 3.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 9 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Seat Belts | 7 |
| Tires | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 12; Vehicle Speed Control: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 9; Air Bags: 7; Seat Belts: 7; Tires: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Engine: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 65 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 29 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2001: 2; 2002: 29; 2003: 17; 2004: 14; 2005: 13; 2006: 6; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 4; 2010: 4; 2011: 5; 2012: 1; 2013: 5; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 16 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10012108 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
THE AXLE BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR WHEEL TO FALL OFF, CONSEQUENTLY THE DRIVER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015877 · 2003-04-15 (April 15, 2003)
THE VEHICLE BUMPER WAS COMING OFF (STICKING OUT ON THE SIDES). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE CAR WASH. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015877 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016114 · 2003-04-17 (April 17, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IT STALLED AGAIN AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT START AT ALL. *NLM THE CONTROL VALVE WAS CHANGED WITH NO CODES SHOWING IN THE SYSTEM. BEFORE, THE MECAHNIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE WEATHER AND THE GAS. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL AND WAS REPLACED. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 2,548 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019302 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE SIDE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019302 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022887 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)
THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENGINE WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED ONE. *AK *CB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022887 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022888 · 2003-06-11 (June 11, 2003)
WHILE PARKED ON AN INCLINE VEHICLE WILL SHAKE AND THE BRAKES WILL NOT HOLD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022888 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023237 · 2003-06-17 (June 17, 2003)
SUBJECT:AIRBAG FAILURE COMMENTS: TWICE NOW MY SON HAS HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH HIS 2002 MUSTANG AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. FORTUNATELY HE WAS NOT HURT. MY MAJOR CONCERN IS THAT I HAD THE AIRBAG SPECIFICALLY TESTED AT THE REPAIR SHOP AT THE LAST REPAIR BEFORE ACCEPTING DELIVERY OF THE CAR. I WAS TOLD SOMEONE IS HIRED BY THE REPAIR SHOP TO COME OUT AND RUN TESTS BY HOOKING UP INSTRUMENTS TO THE CAR AND GETTING A READ OUT. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THIS WAS DONE BUT MY SON JUST HAD HIS 2ND ACCIDENT AND HIS CAR HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER AT BETTER …
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023237 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026493 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, AT 55 MPH THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. GOODYEAR TIRE, P225/55R16. *AK. THE SECOND TIME WHILE DRIVING 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE RIMS WERE DAMAGED. *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026493 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.