2004 Ford Mustang Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 5%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,750miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2004 Ford Mustang, 5% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,750 miles.
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.
“1) we purchased a 2004 Ford Mustang convertible. The vehicle was parked in our garage. The exhaust tail pipe has a poor design due to the design cut on the end which leaves two sharp pointed edges like the end of knives. The points are located approximately 1 inch past the bumper. All other vehicles we have seen have rounding tail pipe ends and the ends are flush with the bumper or under the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10132714, filed 2005-08, 13,000 miles“In the morning, after driving my car approximately 10 minutes, (before entering the freeway on ramp) the engine just shut off. I was able to turn the key to the off position, and while still moving (in second or third gear) I was able to restart the car on the first attempt. I did use the vehicle mid-day without any mishaps. Later that evening after driving home approximately 40 minutes, (after exiting the freeway) the engine shut off again (while in third gear). I was able to again turn the key to the off position, and while in motion I was able to restart the car on the first attempt. …”
NHTSA complaint #10148149, filed 2006-01, 23,250 miles“In 2004 my mom bought a new 2004 Ford Mustang with the 3.9 v-6 motor and within a couple of months it started ticking real loud when you first start it up. Come to find out it was a passenger side exhaust leak that just got worse, and at the same time her engine started making loud chirping and crazy noises to find out it was the cam positioning sensor that went out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10358377, filed 2010-09, 20,000 miles“Dt: the consumer states that 2004 Ford Mustang was having mechanical problems. The transmission fluid was gushing out and the vehicle was taken to a dealership for repairs. The dealership fixed the transmission fluid problem. The next problem was oil leaking. The vehicle has been in the dealership twice for repairs and it was still leaking oil. The owner contacted Ford for help. Ford had the car taken to the dealership that Ford recommended. The problem is still not fixed. The dealership says that the oil is leaking from the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10130407, filed 2005-07, 800 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the tail pipe was protruding too far from the vehicle, which caused a massive injury to his son's arm. The tail pipe is cut in a 2.9 inch edge instead of being rounded. He believed that it should be further back (approximately one inch) to avoid injuries. The failure mileage was 12500 and current mileage was 15,600 updated 01/11/08. Updated”
NHTSA complaint #10205063, filed 2007-10, 12,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to…
- 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…
- 10019912Jan 1, 2006Engine misfire with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) pewee, p0302, p0303, p0304, p0305, p0306, p0307, p0308, and p0316.
- 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 2004 Ford Mustang
33 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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