2002 Ford Mustang Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 8%of 118 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,034miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the fuel system of the 2002 Ford Mustang, 8% of the 118 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,034 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.
“Started car in parking lot, rumbled violently. Put car into drive, turning out of parking lot car dies and am able to coast to the side of the road. Fuel pump had gone out on car. New pump directly from Ford dealership was put into car. 3 weeks later I was at a stop light, car started to rumble again, was able to creep through the intersection before car died in the middle of a 4 lane highway. Fuel pump and fuel pump fuse needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10132720, filed 2005-08, 49,068 miles“Fuel pump had to be replaced after only 6,600 miles. Company indicated no recalls, but this seems ridiculous for such low miles. Warranty had expired 6 months before. Vehicle always had low power.”
NHTSA complaint #10147725, filed 2006-01, 6,600 miles“The fuel pump in my 2002 3.8l Mustang stopped working. When I lowered the gas tank to replace it, I found that the plastic part the fuel pump/sending unit sets down into is offset from the hole and the fuel pump/sending unit can not be removed without breaking the part that it sets down into. So not only do I have to replace the pump, I have to buy an entire gas tank since that part comes pre-installed”
NHTSA complaint #11405713, filed 2021-03“The motorcraft fuel filter on my 2002 Ford Mustang cracked at the seam where the inlet nipple is attached to the body of the filter. Gasoline was spraying out of the crack and leaking on the ground. The wynn filter I purchased to replace it with uses a one piece filter body which is much safer. Has anyone else reported the filters breaking and leaking?”
NHTSA complaint #10512620, filed 2013-05“I have had my Mustang in the shop 7 times to repair the check fuel cap light. The car has stalled on me several times. Sence the last time I had it in the shop my car gets realy bad gas mileage. It has recentlty been giving me a hard time shifting. I have a fear of the car stalling on the freeway or catching fire, beacause of the eletrical problems in the fuel tank.”
NHTSA complaint #10080955, filed 2004-07Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 13% |
| 2022 | 14 | 28% |
| 2021 | 15 | 27% |
| 2020 | 8 | 7% |
| 2018 | 8 | 4% |
| 2017 | 6 | 2% |
| 2016 | 21 | 6% |
| 2015 | 32 | 7% |
| 2014 | 11 | 3% |
| 2013 | 11 | 4% |
| 2012 | 22 | 5% |
| 2011 | 26 | 6% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 5 | 1% |
| 2007 | 30 | 5% |
| 2006 | 44 | 10% |
| 2005 | 100 | 14% |
| 2004 | 6 | 5% |
| 2003 | 6 | 4% |
| 2002 | 9 | 8% |
| 2001 | 21 | 12% |
| 2000 | 21 | 7% |
| 1999 | 8 | 4% |
| 1998 | 30 | 13% |
| 1997 | 15 | 9% |
| 1996 | 17 | 7% |
| 1995 | 19 | 3% |
| 1994 | 9 | 3% |
| 1993 | 6 | 6% |
| 1992 | 2 | 3% |
| 1991 | 4 | 5% |
| 1990 | 5 | 6% |
| 1989 | 4 | 4% |
| 1988 | 7 | 6% |
| 1987 | 3 | 8% |
| 1985 | 3 | 19% |
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 complaintsTires
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Mustang
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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