NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 271 owner complaints for the 2003 Ford Mustang. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (62) and power train (40). The EPA rates it 17–21 mpg combined.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Mustang model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 304 |
| 1997 | 230 |
| 1998 | 320 |
| 1999 | 297 |
| 2000 | 446 |
| 2001 | 280 |
| 2002 | 209 |
| 2003 | 271 |
| 2004 | 130 |
| 2005 | 868 |
| 2006 | 575 |
| 2007 | 615 |
| 2008 | 347 |
| 2009 | 181 |
| 2010 | 261 |
| 2011 | 466 |
| 2012 | 469 |
| 2013 | 271 |
| 2014 | 359 |
| 2015 | 439 |
| 2016 | 380 |
| 2017 | 268 |
| 2018 | 196 |
| 2019 | 152 |
| 2020 | 122 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 50 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 85 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 8 |
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BLACK MICRO FIBERS WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE VENTS THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS COULD NOT BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED BY USING THE KEYLESS REMOTE SENSOR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT HAD TO ABRUPTLY FORCE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND YANKED THE GEAR SHIFT HARDER AS THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,035.”
“Date of incident....sometime over night 1/27/24. Vehicle FIRE I believe started in electrical components. Happened overnight while PARKED in front of home in parking lot Melted left side of dash (all odometer area) and center console where AC controls and radio are. Shattered front windshield which was black with soot, as well as the plastic frame around front area of convertible top. Fire has somehow extinguished itself. Whole interior car full of soot. I had actually used my key FOB to enter my car at which time I noticed what had happened & all the damage. I immediately disconnected my battery. The engine did not look damaged. The fire seemed to have stayed behind firewall. My insurance company TOTALED my car out due to the fact of it being an ELECTRICAL CAUSE TO FIRE & even if it could've been repaired, was told parts (dash, odometer area which was COMPLETELY melted) were obsolete. Regardless, the car now has posed a serious DANGER. I have photos & totaled decision by insurance company information, but have been unable to upload on your site. I believe you should REALLY SEE THE PICTURES. After incident, I searched to see if there had been any recalls. I…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mustang Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, 2 VALVE · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Mustang Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, 2 VALVE · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Mustang Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L, 2 VALVE · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Mustang Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L, 2 VALVE · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Mustang Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L, 4 VALVE · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Mustang Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L, 4 VALVE · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Mustang Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L, GUZZLER · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | $4,550 | 523 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 271 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (62), power train (40), electrical system (28). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2003 Ford Mustang at 17–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).