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Engine coolingPart report

2002 Ford Mustang GT Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
16about this part
Share
33%of 48 total for the year
Median mileage
46,383miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Ford Mustang GT, 33% of the 48 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,383 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I have a 2002 Mustang Gt bullitt that I bought in july 2013. So far I have had two different incidents where a spark plug has blown the head. The most recent was yesterday 11/23/2013. All I was doing was backing out of my driveway and heard a noise come from the spark plug. Today, I changed the spark plug again, and so far it is running okay for now. But a few weeks ago, I changed the same spark plug, then it worked fine, then it went out again yesterday. So, hopefully it won't happen again, but if it does, I won't be surprised.”

NHTSA complaint #10553626, filed 2013-11, 65,000 miles

“After stopping at a red light during a rain storm. I attempted to pull out after the light turned green the motor died. I started the car right back up. The next day my belt started squeaking. I have an appointment for service. Also, during the first 10 days of buying the car the throw out bearing had to be replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10010983, filed 2003-03, 9,650 miles

“I own a 2002 Ford Mustang Gt with a 2-valve 4.6l engine with only 46k miles. Around 1 apr 10 I started hearing a distinct ticking noise from the engine. Not being that mechanically inclined, I assumed some lifters needed adjusting; so, I brushed the noise off. On 10 apr 10 I was driving on the interstate when I heard a loud bang and then sounds that patted like a harley running out of gas. My check engine light flashed several times. Fortunately, I was only 2 miles from home; so, I sputtered the rest of the way. …”

NHTSA complaint #10325264, filed 2010-04, 46,383 miles

“Coming out of a red light, I heard the sound of compressed air being blown out. I immediately parked in a local store parking lot and got towed to a local pep-boys. Pep-boys indicated that one of my spark plugs had blown out and that the threading on the head was damaged. However, they indicated that they did not do that type of repair and recommended that I take it to a Ford dealer. The first time I contacted Ford was when I towed my car to the dealer for repair. …”

NHTSA complaint #10133620, filed 2005-08, 64,224 miles

“We took the Ford mustang gt2002 to metro Ford in tueplo, mississippi due to knocking. According to the service manager the entire motor was out need to be replace. We have not had any motor problems at any times. We provided the service manager documents we had regular oil/filter to prevent incidents of this nature. We had work completed or not completed in december 2005 due to previous work completed by metro Ford in tupelo, mississippi the motor is out. They want us to pay for a new motor. …”

NHTSA complaint #10153862, filed 2006-03, 47,929 miles

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200664%
200564%
2004321%
20031122%
20021633%
20011322%
20002133%
19992158%
19984483%
19971670%
19962475%

Other parts of the 2002 Ford Mustang GT

Seat belts
8 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaints
Engine
5 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Electrical system
3 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
Wheels
2 complaints
Air bags
1 complaints
Electronic stability control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Mustang GT

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology