2003 Ford Mustang Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 7%of 145 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,174miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Ford Mustang, 7% of the 145 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,174 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 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.
“I was driving on the freeway at 65 MPH. All of a sudden the car just stopped running. All dash board lights came on including check engine and theft light was blinking. Luckily traffic was light during the time I was driving. I ended up getting pushed off the freeway by the chp. I had to tow the car to the dealer, and the service advisor stated to me, that a wiring harness that was mounted above the cat converter, and the wire shorted out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10491798, filed 2013-01, 73,650 miles“We have had issues with this car since it was bought new. All issues have been looked at by the dealer during the factory warranty and still remain unresolved. I have written a letter to Ford headquarters but they sent a complete rejection letter. I was told today by a Ford customer service representative to file a complaint here. I can supply documents and the original letter to Ford if needed. The main issues from purchasing new and driving off the lot are (in rough order of importance): -major paint and clear coat issues (brought to dealer two days after purchase to complain. …”
NHTSA complaint #10760959, filed 2015-09, 100 miles“2003 svt cobra has a stalling issue. The car will stall while decelerating. While this has caused me no harm, it can be very dangerous. When the car stalls of course the power brakes and steering cut out drastically changing what you expect to feel from the steering wheel and the brake pedal. Why doesnt Ford fix this problem?”
NHTSA complaint #10048812, filed 2003-11, 1,000 miles“Date of incident....sometime over night 1/27/24. Vehicle FIRE I believe started in electrical components. Happened overnight while PARKED in front of home in parking lot Melted left side of dash (all odometer area) and center console where AC controls and radio are. Shattered front windshield which was black with soot, as well as the plastic frame around front area of convertible top. Fire has somehow extinguished itself. Whole interior car full of soot. I had actually used my key FOB to enter my car at which time I noticed what had happened & all the damage. …”
NHTSA complaint #11576237, filed 2024-03“2003 Ford Mustang caught fire. Consumer states that her stepdaughter's Mustang caught fire while parked in a parking lot. Fire department stated the fire was caused by something electrical in the motor wall.”
NHTSA complaint #10210584, filed 2007-11Related service bulletins
- 10013116Sep 6, 2004Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated - system lean diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) - service tips. Various models including 2004 f-series.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 25% |
| 2025 | 5 | 26% |
| 2024 | 40 | 48% |
| 2023 | 5 | 33% |
| 2022 | 7 | 14% |
| 2021 | 6 | 11% |
| 2020 | 25 | 21% |
| 2019 | 32 | 21% |
| 2018 | 31 | 16% |
| 2017 | 34 | 13% |
| 2016 | 73 | 19% |
| 2015 | 68 | 15% |
| 2014 | 11 | 3% |
| 2013 | 18 | 7% |
| 2012 | 21 | 4% |
| 2011 | 24 | 5% |
| 2010 | 11 | 4% |
| 2009 | 7 | 4% |
| 2008 | 15 | 4% |
| 2007 | 33 | 5% |
| 2006 | 31 | 7% |
| 2005 | 225 | 32% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 10 | 7% |
| 2002 | 9 | 8% |
| 2001 | 10 | 6% |
| 2000 | 17 | 5% |
| 1999 | 10 | 5% |
| 1998 | 12 | 5% |
| 1997 | 8 | 5% |
| 1996 | 11 | 4% |
| 1995 | 37 | 6% |
| 1994 | 22 | 6% |
| 1993 | 31 | 31% |
| 1992 | 29 | 42% |
| 1991 | 31 | 40% |
| 1990 | 35 | 41% |
| 1989 | 46 | 42% |
| 1988 | 56 | 52% |
| 1987 | 17 | 45% |
| 1986 | 11 | 37% |
| 1985 | 3 | 19% |
| 1984 | 9 | 50% |
| 1983 | 3 | 60% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Mustang
39 complaintsSeat belts
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsAir bags
11 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 Oct 29, 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