2003 Ford Mustang GT Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 22%of 51 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,748miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Ford Mustang GT, 22% of the 51 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,748 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving down the road about 35 MPH and put on the brakes and the car shut off (shutting off the power steering and power brakes). This has happened to me twice. The second time was a couple of days ago I was getting off the interstate and when I applied the brakes the car shut off, I was lucky there was nobody in that intersection...”
NHTSA complaint #10038991, filed 2003-09, 13,980 miles“Car stalls under braking. Getting onto highway from access ramp, I accelerated to 70 MPH then touched brakes to slow to 65 and the car stalled. I lost power steering, power brakes, and acceleration. A car cut me off and I almost ran into the back of the vehicle due to the loss of braking power and tried to swerve onto the shoulder but the steering was tough due to the lack of power.”
NHTSA complaint #10010915, filed 2003-03, 1,000 miles“After driving to work one morning, once I parked I noticed that coolant was leaking from bottom radator hose. Dealer replaced cooling hoses and clamps. Also the paint were the hood scoop meets the hood started to chip, water gets caught under the hood scoop making it difficult the keep it clean.”
NHTSA complaint #10088206, filed 2004-08, 2,100 miles“On cold start, there is a ticking sound. Took it to mechanic and he gave me a technical service bulletin article #03-25-6, dated 12/22/03, regarding Ford, lincoln and mercury engines built before 9/17/2003. Emailed Ford motor company to find out what could be done to rectify the situation as it is a known defect of the car although it is not a safety issue. All they could tell me is there is no recall and take it to an authorized dealer to have it diagnosed and repaired if need.”
NHTSA complaint #10211147, filed 2007-12, 34,000 miles“1) everything was running fine, no problems detected. Maintenance on vehicle was up to date. Was turning a corner and there was a pop and after that the engine started to mis-fire. 2) was able to limp the 2 miles to the Ford service center. There, they told me that the spark plug had blown out of the engine block and that this happens on occasion. I had two options: the first was to pay $610 to put a patch in that wasn't provided with a warranty and they told me it could last 2 years or blow 2 miles down from the shop after I left, or pay $2500 and have a new cylinder put in. …”
NHTSA complaint #10185145, filed 2007-03, 52,000 milesEngine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 6 | 4% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 3 | 21% |
| 2003 | 11 | 22% |
| 2002 | 16 | 33% |
| 2001 | 13 | 22% |
| 2000 | 21 | 33% |
| 1999 | 21 | 58% |
| 1998 | 44 | 83% |
| 1997 | 16 | 70% |
| 1996 | 24 | 75% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Mustang GT
15 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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