2001 Ford Mustang Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 14%of 173 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,847miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2001 Ford Mustang, 14% of the 173 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,847 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After having a strong vibration in the dash at higher rates of speed 60+, and then developing heavy engine knock with rough idling, I took vehicle to the dealership. There I learned that I had 3 bad rods and needed a complete new engine after only having 57,000 on the original one.”
NHTSA complaint #10093852, filed 2004-10, 57,694 miles“The main problem is the transmission failures. It has gone out three times all in the same manner. The car in bone stock and only has 13,800 miles on it. The third time a field district engineer supposedly examined it and said the the parts and workmanship appear to be fine with no flaws and declined my warranty claim. I have been through the dispute settlement board and the ks attorney general with no positive outcome. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070279, filed 2004-01, 4 miles“2001 v6 Ford Mustang suddenly started to miss-fire. I have been smelling exhaust odors for some time, but could not find anything wrong. I took it to the dealer as soon as it started to miss-fire. They diagnosed the problem as a sensor with moisture in it and both exhaust manifolds were cracked. It's no wonder I was smelling exhaust fumes. I was lucky not to be overcome with carbon monoxide while driving. There was no apparent reason for the exhaust manifold failure. The dealers rep said: we have replaced quite a few of them and the new ones are better .”
NHTSA complaint #10303254, filed 2010-01, 70,000 miles“I started my car and put it in drive and began to accelerate when the engine raced to 6000 rpms. Put my foot on the brake and the car kept accelerating. I pulled my parking brake and got the same result. I then put my car in park and at that time I was doing about 60 in a neighborhood heading straight for a light pole. I just barely missed the pole but still hit the curb and totaled my car. After turning the key the engine stopped. A mechanic at the collision center looked at my engine and saw that my throttle was stuck wide open. …”
NHTSA complaint #10247700, filed 2008-11, 56,000 miles“4.6 liter v8. Spark plug blew out of cylinder head. Could have resulted in a fire but luckily did not. Spark plugs were last changed over 30,000 miles previously.”
NHTSA complaint #10453263, filed 2012-03, 115,650 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10026389May 16, 2008Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001 vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in the state of maine, certified for…
- 10023943Oct 1, 2007Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes…
- 10018959Dec 14, 2005Extended coverage program 05n04 - extended coverage for composite intake manifold. This program is being provided as a settlement to a class action lawsuit. The terms of the…
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10013368Nov 1, 2004Exhaust leak - cracked or separated right side exhaust pipe - 3.8l and 3.9l engines.
- 10011162Aug 23, 2004Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 4% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 11 | 7% |
| 2018 | 8 | 4% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 8 | 2% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 7 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 5 | 1% |
| 2006 | 16 | 4% |
| 2005 | 25 | 4% |
| 2004 | 6 | 5% |
| 2003 | 39 | 27% |
| 2002 | 22 | 19% |
| 2001 | 24 | 14% |
| 2000 | 34 | 11% |
| 1999 | 31 | 15% |
| 1998 | 40 | 17% |
| 1997 | 38 | 22% |
| 1996 | 82 | 33% |
| 1995 | 339 | 56% |
| 1994 | 160 | 45% |
| 1993 | 11 | 11% |
| 1992 | 7 | 10% |
| 1991 | 6 | 8% |
| 1990 | 10 | 12% |
| 1989 | 6 | 6% |
| 1988 | 4 | 4% |
| 1987 | 5 | 13% |
| 1986 | 5 | 17% |
| 1985 | 2 | 13% |
| 1984 | 4 | 22% |
| 1983 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Mustang
26 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsSeat belts
22 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Mustang
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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