2004 Ford Mustang Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 8%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 16,400miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Ford Mustang, 8% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,400 miles. 1 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.
“A few days prior my car made a squealing noise when I stopped. On dec 25, 2006 I was traveling down a residential street when my axles shift and my car tires locked up, it was approximately 1/8 mile from my home. The steering wheel was shifted approximately 90 degrees.”
NHTSA complaint #10177142, filed 2006-12, 17,800 miles“I bought a 2004 Ford Mustang on 9/15/03. The rear differential was faulty, causing me to take it to the dealership to be replaced on 10/28/03. The rear end whines and is wobbly while making any turns, left or right.”
NHTSA complaint #10043868, filed 2003-10, 1,000 miles“I have manual transmission. When you put it in reverse it would not go backward. I took it to the dealer, when I got the car back, second gear grinded very badly. I did not have this problem when I initially took the car in. They kept telling me to drive the car and it would work, it way out. It did not work its way out, and I took it back in for repairs. They had the car 9 days. After I picked the car up, a few days later I realized the reverse lights were not working, I took it back to the dealer and they said it was a fuse . …”
NHTSA complaint #10116832, filed 2005-04, 15,000 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“Car was parked on hill while idling with parking brake on, when the car rolled down the hill, resulting in over $5,000.00 in damages. The break handle was still in the up position.”
NHTSA complaint #10213004, filed 2007-12, 76,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10014100Jan 1, 2006Limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning maneuvers.
- 10014303Dec 31, 20041-2 shift clash, grind or hard to shift - tr3650 5 speed manual transmission.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 13% |
| 2025 | 3 | 15% |
| 2024 | 10 | 12% |
| 2023 | 1 | 7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 8% |
| 2021 | 9 | 16% |
| 2020 | 26 | 21% |
| 2019 | 28 | 18% |
| 2018 | 46 | 23% |
| 2017 | 22 | 8% |
| 2016 | 29 | 8% |
| 2015 | 42 | 10% |
| 2014 | 30 | 8% |
| 2013 | 48 | 18% |
| 2012 | 177 | 38% |
| 2011 | 200 | 43% |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% |
| 2009 | 7 | 4% |
| 2008 | 30 | 9% |
| 2007 | 35 | 6% |
| 2006 | 32 | 8% |
| 2005 | 25 | 4% |
| 2004 | 9 | 8% |
| 2003 | 15 | 10% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2001 | 16 | 9% |
| 2000 | 40 | 13% |
| 1999 | 25 | 12% |
| 1998 | 21 | 9% |
| 1997 | 29 | 16% |
| 1996 | 25 | 10% |
| 1995 | 57 | 9% |
| 1994 | 50 | 14% |
| 1993 | 5 | 5% |
| 1992 | 6 | 9% |
| 1991 | 9 | 12% |
| 1990 | 5 | 6% |
| 1989 | 3 | 3% |
| 1988 | 3 | 3% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 3% |
| 1985 | 2 | 13% |
| 1984 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford Mustang
33 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 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 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