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U.S. public vehicle records

2008 Ford MUSTANG: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

347 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

37,250 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 142 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 236 of 347 complaints (68.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior308.6%
Transmission and shifting123.5%
Electrical and battery issues102.9%
Steering behavior82.3%
Engine operation10.3%

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.

Air Bags
236
Vehicle Speed Control
18
Power Train
17
Electrical System
14
Structure:Body
11
Service Brakes
9
Unknown Or Other
8
Engine
6
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags236
Vehicle Speed Control18
Power Train17
Electrical System14
Structure:Body11
Service Brakes9
Unknown Or Other8
Engine6

Air Bags: 236; Vehicle Speed Control: 18; Power Train: 17; Electrical System: 14; Structure:Body: 11; Service Brakes: 9; Unknown Or Other: 8; Engine: 6

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
58
25,000 to 49,999
28
50,000 to 74,999
25
75,000 to 99,999
12
100,000 to 149,999
17
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00058
25,000 to 49,99928
50,000 to 74,99925
75,000 to 99,99912
100,000 to 149,99917
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 58; 25,000 to 49,999: 28; 50,000 to 74,999: 25; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 17; 150,000 and above: 2

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (58). 205 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.

2007
1
2008
18
2009
11
2010
8
2011
8
2012
5
2013
10
2014
11
2015
29
2016
57
2017
126
2018
41
2019
6
2020
4
2021
3
2022
2
2023
3
2025
3
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20071
200818
200911
20108
20118
20125
201310
201411
201529
201657
2017126
201841
20196
20204
20213
20222
20233
20253
20261

2007: 1; 2008: 18; 2009: 11; 2010: 8; 2011: 8; 2012: 5; 2013: 10; 2014: 11; 2015: 29; 2016: 57; 2017: 126; 2018: 41; 2019: 6; 2020: 4; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 3; 2025: 3; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 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 10210909 · 2007-12-05 (December 5, 2007)

THE AIR BAG ON THE 2008 FORD MUSTANG IS TO CLOSE TO THE FRONT OF THE SEAT,I PURCHASED ONE FOR MY WIFE, SHE SITS UP RIGHT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH HER BACK AGAINST THE BACK OF THE SEAT ,THE AIR BAG WAS TURN OFF WHEN SHE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR,FORD IS AWARE THAT THIS HAPPENED AND SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT,WE HAD THE CAR LESS THAN ONE MONTH AND IT WAS IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES DURING THIS TIME,WE HAD IT RETURNED UNDER THE LEMON LAW,BUT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM IF YOU HAVE TO SIT SO CLOSE TO THE FRONT OF THE SEAT IN ORDER FOR TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 528 miles reported. Look up ODI 10210909 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10224819 · 2008-04-17 (April 17, 2008)

PARKING CAR INTO PARKING BAY BETWEEN BUILDING SUPPORT AND OTHER CAR. WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE AND AT A STOP I REACHED TO PLACE CAR IN PARK WHEN FOR NO REASON THE CAR ACCELERATED OVER A CONCRETE PARKING STOP, THROUGH A DITCH, OUT OF THE DITCH BEFORE STRIKING ANOTHER TRUCK HEAD ON IN THE PARKING AREA ACROSS THE DITCH. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME AND I DID NOT TOUCH THE SHIFTER AT ALL! THE CAR COULD BE REVVING VERY HIGH AS IT MOVE FORWARD AND I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS I COULD TO NO AVAIL. PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS WITH DEALERSHI…

Owner-reported narrative. 10,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10224819 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10227952 · 2008-05-15 (May 15, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AXLE. THE NOISE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND INCREASES WHEN DRIVING ON INCLINES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AT LEAST THREE TIMES, BUT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. ON THE THIRD VISIT, THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE SHAFT AND REAR AXLE FAILED. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR FOUR DAYS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY FOR TWO MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIRS, BUT CURRENTLY TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,527 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227952 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10230262 · 2008-06-08 (June 8, 2008)

REAR END LEAKING OIL. 5,934 MILES. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 5,934 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230262 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10230264 · 2008-06-08 (June 8, 2008)

REAR END NOISE AND SLOPPY DRIVE SHAFT. REAR END HAD TO BE REBUILT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 6,670 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230264 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10230265 · 2008-06-08 (June 8, 2008)

BRAKE NOISE DURING NORMAL BRAKING OR DRIVING IN THE RAIN. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 10,730 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230265 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10230266 · 2008-06-08 (June 8, 2008)

FRONT END MAKES NOISE DURING TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 10,730 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230266 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10230267 · 2008-06-08 (June 8, 2008)

REAR END MAKES A HOWLING SOUND AT 72 MPH. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 10,730 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230267 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

08V082000 · Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2008-02-25 (February 25, 2008)

FORD IS RECALLING 434,593 MY 2008 MUSTANG VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH ONE OF THE NECK INJURY REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION," FOR AN UNBELTED 5TH PERCENTILE FEMALE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHILE IT IS IN THE FULL FORWARD POSITION.

Consequence: DURING AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, IF A SMALL FEMALE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS NOT WEARING THE SAFETY BELT, AND HAS THE SEAT IN THE FULL FORWARD POSITION, THERE MAY BE AN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A NECK INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332 OR THROUGH EMAIL TO WWW.OWNERCONNECTION.COM.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V319000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2015-05-28 (May 28, 2015)

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.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2016. Even if interim repairs were performed under safety recall 14V-802, owners must bring their vehicles in for the final remedy. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S21. Note: This recall supersedes safety recall 14V-802.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V384000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-05-31 (May 31, 2016)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang 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 model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang 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." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V024000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)

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.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V081000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2021-02-16 (February 16, 2021)

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.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

NHTSA campaign record ↗