2004 Ford MUSTANG: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
116 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
13,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 89 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 116 complaints (22.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 19.8% |
| Steering behavior | 13 | 11.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 26 |
| Unknown Or Other | 15 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Tires | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 26; Unknown Or Other: 15; Air Bags: 5; Tires: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Suspension: 4; Engine: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 59 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 59; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 4
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (59). 27 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 58 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 10; 2005: 58; 2006: 9; 2007: 5; 2008: 4; 2009: 4; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 5; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2024: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 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 10043868 · 2003-10-29 (October 29, 2003)
I BOUGHT A 2004 FORD MUSTANG ON 9/15/03. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS FAULTY, CAUSING ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPLACED ON 10/28/03. THE REAR END WHINES AND IS WOBBLY WHILE MAKING ANY TURNS, LEFT OR RIGHT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043868 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054177 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THE HEAD REST ONLY ADJUST UP TO ONE INCH. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT ANYONE WHO DRIVES THESE VEHICLES WILL NOT HAVE THE PROPER HEAD RESTRAINT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054938 · 2004-01-26 (January 26, 2004)
REPEATED INTERMITTENT FUEL SMELL DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE IN INTERIOR COMPARTMENT. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056619 · 2004-02-05 (February 5, 2004)
REAR BRAKES 2004 MAKES A NOISE WHEN WET IDLE IS TO HIGH WHEN YOU PUSH IN CLUTCH. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 33 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056619 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058850 · 2004-02-24 (February 24, 2004)
GAP ON LOWER PASSENGER DOOR. EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE WHERE CONVERTABLE TOP MEETS PILAR ON PASSENGER SIDE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 75 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058850 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059455 · 2004-02-20 (February 20, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED HEARD A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS NO FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY FULL. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND CLAIMED THAT THE STEERING WAS WORKING NORMALLY. *AK POWER STEERING WILL LOCK UP AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE, THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, PROBLEM WITH REAR DEFROSTER. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF ALL VEHICLES 1999 AND UP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 13,892 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059455 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068689 · 2004-04-22 (April 22, 2004)
WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE CLUTCH PEDAL IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RISE UP FROM 100 TO 3000 RPMS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND FLOOR MANAGER DETERMINED THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH CAR. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10068689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073606 · 2004-06-04 (June 4, 2004)
THERE WAS NO INDICATOR LIGHT WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED. DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS THE WAY VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. *AK THE DEALER DID NOT ADVISE THE CONSUMER OF THE PROBLEM. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073606 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
06V108000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
Reported: 2006-04-07 (April 7, 2006)
ON CERTAIN MUSTANG COBRA PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH FLOOR CARPETING DURING HEAVY THROTTLE APPLICATION. THE UNIQUE SURFACE PROFILE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY CATCH IN THE CUTOUT ON THE FLOOR CARPETING BEHIND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Consequence: THIS COULD INTERFERE WITH THE PEDAL'S ABILITY TO RETURN TO AN IDLE POSITION. UNEXPECTED, CONTINUED THROTTLE APPLICATION AND/OR INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE CUTOUT IN THE CARPET BEHIND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA campaign record ↗