2002 Ford Mustang Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 118 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 148,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Ford Mustang, 3% of the 118 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 148,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“While in drive, with the car stopped, the car tries to surge forward by itself. You have to be weary that you keep additional pressure on the brake or the car will burst forward.”
NHTSA complaint #10717004, filed 2015-05, 72,500 miles“My wife was pulling in to the drive way on her way from doing some errands a drive of less than 5 miles and its a rural road where you cant drive more than 30 miles an hour when she smelt like something was burning. She checked the gauges and everything seemed fine and then saw smoke coming off the hood. She only had time to park the car and get off as the whole engine bay got engulfed in flames.the fire fighters arrived and were able to control the fire from spreading but the front half of the car was totally destroyed.”
NHTSA complaint #10609977, filed 2014-07, 148,000 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 38% |
| 2025 | 3 | 16% |
| 2024 | 10 | 12% |
| 2023 | 2 | 13% |
| 2022 | 5 | 10% |
| 2021 | 8 | 15% |
| 2020 | 25 | 21% |
| 2019 | 53 | 35% |
| 2018 | 59 | 30% |
| 2017 | 27 | 10% |
| 2016 | 76 | 20% |
| 2015 | 51 | 12% |
| 2014 | 18 | 5% |
| 2013 | 22 | 8% |
| 2012 | 30 | 6% |
| 2011 | 48 | 10% |
| 2010 | 8 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 6 | 2% |
| 2007 | 15 | 2% |
| 2006 | 11 | 3% |
| 2005 | 19 | 3% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 6 | 4% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% |
| 1999 | 1 | 0% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 2 | 1% |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 0% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1989 | 1 | 1% |
| 1986 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Mustang
22 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsSeat belts
13 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsTires
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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