2009 Ford MUSTANG: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
181 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
40,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 72 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 133 of 181 complaints (73.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 18 | 9.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 4.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 2.8% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 2.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.1% |
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 | 133 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 21 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
Air Bags: 133; Vehicle Speed Control: 21; Electrical System: 6; Service Brakes: 5; Power Train: 4; Suspension: 4; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 22 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 24 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 22; 25,000 to 49,999: 24; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 109 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 17 |
| 2016 | 33 |
| 2017 | 61 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2009: 8; 2010: 11; 2011: 6; 2012: 4; 2013: 2; 2014: 5; 2015: 17; 2016: 33; 2017: 61; 2018: 23; 2019: 5; 2020: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 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 10255115 · 2009-01-14 (January 14, 2009)
THIS NOTIFICATION INVOLVES MY BRAND NEW 2009 FORD MUSTANG GT PREMIUM CONVERTIBLE AND THE USE OF CHILD SEAT TETHERS. WHEN ONE INSTALLS A CHILD SEAT IN THIS VEHICLE AND RUNS A TETHER STRAP OVER THE HEAD REST OF THE REAR SEAT, THE FORD MANUAL STATES THAT THE TETHER SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO THE INDICATED ANCHOR HOOK. THIS ANCHOR HOOK IS DOWN IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT WHERE THE POWER CONVERTIBLE TOP STOWS WHEN IT IS OPENED. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN THE CONVERTIBLE TOP GOES THROUGH THE OPENING PROCESS, THE FIRST PART OF THE ROOF THAT IS LOWERED DOW…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10255115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10266489 · 2009-04-23 (April 23, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG. THE WINDSHIELD IS MAGNIFIED AND DISTORTED. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE VISIBILITY IS UNCLEAR AND PRESENTS A SAFETY RISK. THE DEALER AGREED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10266489 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10270082 · 2009-05-27 (May 27, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG GT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE HOOD SCOOP WILL LIFT DURING WIND DRAFTS. THE FAILURE MAINLY OCCURS WHILE DRIVING ON TWO LANE ROADS. HOWEVER, ANOTHER DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE DOES OCCUR ON THE MUSTANGS AND CROWN VICTORIAS. THE DEALER STATED THAT LIQUID NAILS WILL BE USED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT A CRASH COULD OCCUR IF THE HOOD CONTINUES TO LIFT UP. UPDATED 06/11/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE HOOD LIFTED WHEN DRIVING ON A 2 LANE ROAD PASSING SEMI TRUCKS. UPDATED 06…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10270082 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10274325 · 2009-06-19 (June 19, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LAMPS HAVE DEBRIS THAT INTERFERES WITH THE VISIBILITY. IF VISIBILITY IS REDUCED, THE RISK OF A CRASH IS INCREASED. THE CONSUMER TO 2 DEALERSHIPS, BUT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER CHARGED $525 FOR HIGH INTENSITY LOW QUALITY LIGHTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 7/9/09 *CN UPDATED 07/17/09.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10274325 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10279300 · 2009-08-04 (August 4, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE SHIFTING FROM THIRD INTO FOURTH GEAR, THE RPMS SUDDENLY SURGED ALL THE WAY UP, DECREASED TO 6,000 RPMS, AND FINALLY SURGED ALL THE WAY BACK UP AGAIN. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,000. UPDATED 12/07/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK ON THE FLOOR MAT. UPDATED 12/08/09
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10279300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10290230 · 2009-10-29 (October 29, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS HAVING HIS VEHICLE EXAMINED BY THE DEALER FOR A MINOR CRASH, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT WAS EXPERIENCING PREMATURE WEAR FOR THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING SIGNS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12000.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10290230 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10292828 · 2009-11-18 (November 18, 2009)
I HAVE A FORD MUSTANG 2009 V-6, I WAS IN 2ND GEAR ACCELERATING TO PASS SOMEONE, AND GAS PEDAL STUCK TO FLOOR,COULD NOT DO ANYTHING, PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, STILL DID IT. I FINALLY TURNED ENGINE OFF AND EVERYTHING WAS OK. SCARED ME, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. CALL DEALERSHIP, SAYS IT DOES NOT KNOW WHY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10292828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10294318 · 2009-12-02 (December 2, 2009)
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH AND TRYING TO EVADE A DRIVER WHO RAN A STOP SIGN, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES OF MY 2009 FORD MUSTANG GT. EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), THE BRAKES DID LOCK AND THE CAR SKID LEAVING TIRE MARKS FOR SEVERAL FEET. I HAVE OWNED VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS FOR AT LEAST THE PAST 15 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BRAKE BEHAVIOR ACROSS ANY OF THOSE VEHICLES AS I DID TODAY.*TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,822 miles reported. Look up ODI 10294318 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.
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 ↗18V046000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2018-01-11 (January 11, 2018)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of 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, Ford is recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles ever registered in the states of 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." Ford is also recalling certain 2009 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. 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:Driver Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal | Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
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 ↗