2003 Ford Mustang Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 8%of 145 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Ford Mustang, 8% of the 145 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“I was turning right in a parking lot at 15+MPH when I hit a parking stall curb in the snow. The wheels stopped by hitting the curb with around a 3 inch clearance between the front bumper and the cement block. Both airbags deployed upon stopping on the curb. No body or mechanical damage was sustained to the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10182205, filed 2007-02, 48,000 miles“Driver side and passenger side airbags deployed while I was driving home. The front windshield was cracked and my right arm was injured because of this unexpected malfunction.”
NHTSA complaint #10175191, filed 2006-12, 32,404 miles“From all the research I have done on my vehicle, it has the Takata airbag inflators that uses phase‑stabilized ammonium nitrate without a desiccant which should have been in the Nationwide Ford vehicle recall. I am the original owner of my 2003 Mustang Mach 1 and it has never had the airbags replaced and I have never received a recall notice. I had Ford run an OASIS report on my VIN and they tell me there is no recall for my car. I told them the reports don't show data past 15 years. …”
NHTSA complaint #11713803, filed 2026-01“The contact owned a 2003 Ford Mustang. The contact's vehicle crashed into a fire hydrant, spun out, and crashed into a residence. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. A police report was filed. The driver sustained a fractured clavicle and suffered numerous cuts and abrasions. Medical attention was required. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. Updated 01/27/17”
NHTSA complaint #10919915, filed 2016-10, 70,000 miles“The contact owned a 2003 Ford Mustang. While driving approximately 10 MPH on the highway, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The front passenger sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact's vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was not contacted and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11035889, filed 2017-10, 70,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 8% |
| 2023 | 1 | 7% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 4% |
| 2020 | 8 | 7% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2017 | 10 | 4% |
| 2016 | 15 | 4% |
| 2015 | 23 | 5% |
| 2014 | 245 | 68% |
| 2013 | 145 | 54% |
| 2012 | 158 | 34% |
| 2011 | 125 | 27% |
| 2010 | 179 | 69% |
| 2009 | 135 | 75% |
| 2008 | 240 | 69% |
| 2007 | 348 | 57% |
| 2006 | 228 | 54% |
| 2005 | 235 | 33% |
| 2004 | 9 | 8% |
| 2003 | 11 | 8% |
| 2002 | 20 | 17% |
| 2001 | 26 | 15% |
| 2000 | 42 | 14% |
| 1999 | 32 | 15% |
| 1998 | 15 | 6% |
| 1997 | 6 | 3% |
| 1996 | 21 | 9% |
| 1995 | 27 | 4% |
| 1994 | 35 | 10% |
| 1993 | 16 | 16% |
| 1992 | 8 | 12% |
| 1991 | 7 | 9% |
| 1990 | 9 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Mustang
39 complaintsSeat belts
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Mustang
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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