2003 Ford Mustang Convertible Problems
- Complaints
- 35filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 17,363miles, 22 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Ford Mustang Convertible (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 2003 Ford Mustang Convertible. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 7 complaints (20% of the total), followed by body and structure (7) and suspension (5). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 73% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 17,363 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling7 20%
- Body and structure7 20%
- Suspension5 14%
- Seat belts3 8.6%
- Vehicle speed control3 8.6%
- Air bags2 5.7%
- Brakes2 5.7%
- Equipment2 5.7%
- Other or unknown2 5.7%
- Seats2 5.7%
Also reported: Steering (2), Engine (1), Fuel system (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “The most recent being just a few days ago, my vehicle will sometimes have a problem in which it stalls while moving at a slow speed while a gear is not engaged. The car is a 2003 svt Ford mustang cobra convertible. A call to Ford's svt division had no solutions. Many people that I know with the same car are experiencing the exact same problem. It has occurred to me 4 times. Thank you so much!”
NHTSA complaint #10014135, filed 2003-04, 10,000 milesBody and structure: “Puddle of water is formed in the well behind the back seat where the convertible top sits when lowered. I also notice moisture in the other areas such as rear floor mats and trunk. This happens after rain or after car wash. I've noticed hundreds of same issues all over the internet and forums and I have absolutely no idea why nothing is being done about this. This distracts the driver and causes safety issues.”
NHTSA complaint #10414361, filed 2011-07, 57,000 milesSuspension: “Complete loss of traction - spin out at 30mph while other cars passed me by normally. Felt like the rear end just could not stay on the road. Crawled 100 miles to the airport at 30-35mph with constant loss of traction most of the way on a moist highway. Car kept wanting to turn sideways. Tires looked good and still do. Tried shutting the trac on/off, no change either way. Could not keep the car straight on the highway as the rear end kept sliding all over the place. I feel like the traction control was locked in either the on or off position or, the emergency brake was on. Scary. …”
NHTSA complaint #10116053, filed 2005-03, 24,000 milesSeat belts: “As an overweight 6'9 citizen and phd scientist, I would like to know what safety tests are done for people that deviate from a normal size and weight. I understand that safety tests are done for children, but what about people that are very tall, or as it is an increasing problem in the us, people that are very obese? My seat belt touches my neck rather than going over my shoulder, potentially exposing me to neck injuries. The passenger airbags will impact my knees rather than my body, and there is no neck support from my headrest. …”
NHTSA complaint #10536286, filed 2013-08, 96,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
73% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 8,000 and 57,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Ford Mustang Convertible in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 2003 Ford Mustang Convertible.
Other model years of the Ford Mustang Convertible
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 35 | 17,363 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 17 | 52,147 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 20 | 89,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 9 | 100,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 11 | 90,025 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 9 | 81,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 8 | 95,530 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 14 | 94,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 16 | 78,822 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
All Ford Mustang Convertible model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Ford Mustang Convertible have?
NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 2003 Ford Mustang Convertible as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Ford Mustang Convertible is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 7 complaints (20% of the total), followed by body and structure with 7.
Has the 2003 Ford Mustang Convertible been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Ford Mustang Convertible reported?
Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 17,363 miles and the middle half falls between 8,000 and 57,000 miles; 73% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.