2001 Ford Mustang GT Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the 4.6L V8's spark plugs coming loose or blowing out of the cylinder head, and about fuel leaking from a rusted filler neck around fill-ups. Airbag non-deployment in collisions, seat-belt retractor problems and assorted brake, cooling and intake-manifold complaints appear in smaller numbers, typically from the 40,000-80,000 mile range upward.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Spark plug blows out of cylinder head (threads strip)

   • 7 complaints (12%)
   • median 55,500 mi at 4.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2012

   Complaints describe a loud ticking or knocking from the top of the engine followed by a spark plug coming out of the cylinder head, sometimes with a noticeable loss of power. In several cases the threads in the spark plug hole would no longer hold the plug, and owners report the head was replaced or sent to a machine shop to be repaired. Some owners say the dealer could not diagnose or would not cover the repair. Reported from roughly 26,000 to 70,000 miles, often shortly after a ticking noise begins.

   What to check: Listen for a ticking or tapping at the top of the engine and ask whether any spark plug threads have been repaired or heads replaced. A compression or leak-down check can reveal a poorly seated plug.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I don't know much about the mechanics of cars, but a spark plug blew out of my 2001 Mustang Gt causing a loud repetitive noise and a notable loss of power. It was still under the 30 day/3000 miles used vehicle warranty and it was fixed at no charge to myself. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10174622, filed 2006-11, 70,000 miles

   “Blown Ford spark plug! I drive a 2001 Ford Mustang Gt, 4.6l v8, and one night I was sitting at a red light and as soon as it turned green I stepped on the gas like any other light and I blew a spark plug. I bought the car used with 10k on it and it blew at 56k. I never replaced the plugs so im guessing they were factory installed. As of today I have replaced both heads but the damage from the blown spark plug seems to have affected my engine block itself. My guess is from driving the car off the road into a parking lot. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10234794, filed 2008-07, 56,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel leaking from rusted filler neck

   • 6 complaints (10%)
   • median 74,545 mi at 8.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2006–2018

   Owners report gasoline pouring out or dripping underneath the car when filling the tank, sometimes running onto the tail pipes and tank shield, along with a strong fuel smell in the cabin after a fill. Several complaints trace it to the metal filler neck rusting through beneath its plastic cover, and some mention a split filler neck gasket or a check-fuel-cap and low-tank-pressure message. Repairs described include replacing the filler neck and gasket, or in some cases the tank shield or tank assembly. Mostly reported between about 58,000 and 125,000 miles, and often noticed right after refueling.

   What to check: Inspect the filler neck behind the plastic shield for rust or seepage, and check for a fuel smell after filling the tank. Ask whether the filler neck or gasket has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Fuel neck began to leak, within 2 weeks it was loosing almost a gallon of fuel on a $20.00 fill. I contacted Ford twice, I was told to take it to a Ford dealership, I got an attitude from the dealership so I spent the $110.00 on a Ford part and $180.00 on the labor at another service station. Advised Ford of the safety hazard, apparently didn't concern them enough to contact me and make good on the repairs.”

   NHTSA complaint #10213224, filed 2007-12, 68,000 miles

   “When I filled my car with gas it started to overflow out of the top through the gas cap area and pour out of the bottom. I had my father check it about an hour later while it was parked and he couldn't find a leak. We determined the automatic stop on the pump must have failed. I went to put $20 of gas in it two days ago and once again it was pouring out of the bottom. Since I didn't fill it up this time, I knew it had to be my car and not the pump. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10245640, filed 2008-10, 93,600 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a collision

   • 6 complaints (10%)
   • median 33,393 mi at 3.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2008

   Complaints describe front airbags failing to deploy in impacts, rollovers and one collision at moderate speed, with owners noting injuries and that seat belts were worn. A few owners report the opposite, airbags deploying without an impact. In some cases the manufacturer inspected the vehicle and told the owner the airbags were not supposed to deploy. Reported across a wide mileage range, with several under 40,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the airbag warning lamp works and goes out after the self-check, and whether the airbags or crash sensors have ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The air bags in my 2001 Ford Mustang Gt, deployed without cause. There was no impact or sudden stop. There was no reason for them to deploy. Ford says it that they deployed from an impact, yet there is no damage to the vehicle. They would not cover it under warranty and I had to go thru my insurance company to get them replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10000003, filed 2002-12, 26,900 miles

   “While driving 25 MPH consumer turned left on a road under construction and vehicle rolled across a stretch of gravel, it lost control and collided with a beam protruding from a retainer wall. Seat belts were worn, but the front air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained minor back and head injuries. Police did arrive on the scene but the consumer was not cited.”

   NHTSA complaint #10044923, filed 2003-10, 39,886 miles
4. 4
   Seat belts

   Seat belt webbing tangles and does not retract

   • 5 complaints (8%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 8.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2013

   Owners describe front seat belts, mainly on the driver side, twisting in the trim or B-pillar guide and failing to retract, so the belt hangs loose or cannot be pulled out far enough to buckle. Repairs described include straightening the belt through the guide and replacing the retractor, with one owner told broken plastic parts inside the retractor were the cause. Reported from about 12,000 to 57,000 miles, sometimes from new.

   What to check: Pull each belt slowly all the way out and let it retract, checking for twists, slow retraction or a jam, and confirm the buckle latches and releases properly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Seat belt on passenger side always retracted sluggishly since new, often just hanging loosely from the upper hanger. Then it would retract with help. Finally it jammed and will not release in order to connect the belt for use. When an attempt is made to use the belt, I hear a metallic clunk and the belt will not come out far enough to use.”

   NHTSA complaint #10548138, filed 2013-10, 12,000 miles

   “Driver's side seatbelt keeps tangling within the trim panels preventing proper deployment or retraction of the belt. I had to remove the trim panels and manually twist the belt through the b post guide to straighten, as well undoing and redoing the anchor bolts on the b post and driver lower door sill several times over the last few years.”

   NHTSA complaint #10248007, filed 2008-11, 51,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Cracked plastic intake manifold and coolant leak

   Mentioned in 4 of 53 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe rough idling, overheating and hesitation traced by the dealer to coolant leaking from the intake manifold crossover, and other owners report the plastic intake manifold cracking and leaking coolant or causing a stall. In some cases owners were told a Ford campaign or recall had covered the part but that their vehicle fell outside its time limit. Reported from roughly 85,000 to 107,000 miles, with some at lower mileage.

   What to check: Check for coolant residue or a sweet smell around the intake manifold and watch the coolant level. Ask whether the intake manifold has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I just had to pay approx $700 to replace my intake manifold which cracked and caused a coolant leak. Upon fixing this issue, I was informed that this was a Ford recall a few years ago. Seeing as this part has never been replaced on my vehicle, I would like more information on this recall and what can be done.”

   NHTSA complaint #10447372, filed 2012-02, 107,781 miles

   “While on freeway car started smoking so I exited freeway when car stalled and wouldn't restart. Had to tow back to car lot where I purchased car 3 days prior. Plastic intake manifold had a crack.”

   NHTSA complaint #10588467, filed 2014-05, 85,000 miles

Buying note. On this model year, listen for engine ticking and check for repaired spark plug threads, and inspect the fuel filler neck for rust and leaks before buying. Belts, airbag function and the coolant system are also worth checking, since complaints in those areas recur at moderate mileage.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 53 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.