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Engine coolingPart report

2005 Ford Mustang Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
25about this part
Share
4%of 705 total for the year
Median mileage
7,190miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 Ford Mustang, 4% of the 705 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,190 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My son was driving his 2005 Ford Mustang yesterday when it burst into flames. He was pulling onto I 95 when the car suddenly shut off. He couldn't even make if off the driving area when it came to a complete stop. Once it stopped black smoke started pouring out. He jumped out of the car and ran away from it when it burst into flames. The car was in perfect condition. Never even missed an oil change. No warning signs of any issues. I am thankful that my son is safe but very upset at the Ford car and have now read many Ford fire issues that Ford has not corrected.”

NHTSA complaint #10428129, filed 2011-10, 102,000 miles

“Initial problems: 1. Pin strip on driver side was peeling off 2. A/c vent fell out of console 3. Convertible top got stuck in the down position. Stopped by closest dealer because I was on vacation and we pulled the top back up. Brought it to a local dealer for repairs and they said it was not covered under warranty because the entire convertible top frame was twisted. They stated this was because I most likely had driven while the top was half way up/down. After several weeks Ford engineers decided to cover the repairs for the top. …”

NHTSA complaint #10132655, filed 2005-08, 1,500 miles

“After driving my Mustang approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours at highway speeds, I exited the interstate. At the top of the ramp I attempted to merge into traffic but when I pushed the accelerator the car shut off right in the path of oncoming traffic. It did restart so I avoided being struck. Since then it has done it several times even while driving along then accelerating. I have had several close calls due to this problem. I have returned the car to the dealership on three different occasions. The first time, they replaced a o2 sensor. The last two times they said they can not find a problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10137433, filed 2005-09, 2,500 miles

“Lost power steering when belt came off. The harmonic balancer separated with the pulley part moving 1 1/2 toward the motor taking it out of alignment with the rest of the belt. Ford admitted this has been an ongoing problem with the harmonic balancers and there is a nationwide back order on them.”

NHTSA complaint #10292285, filed 2009-11, 84,885 miles

“1)rattle sound coming from exhaust area when taking off in car. 2)cd's skip or won't play sometimes with shaker 1000 3) passenger side airbag light comes on and off while driving all the time by itself. 4) having trouble filling tank with gas at most gas stations. 5) have been hearing a squeak sound coming from drivers side dashboard near windshield area.”

NHTSA complaint #10162444, filed 2006-07, 14,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202515%
202212%
202124%
202032%
2019117%
201884%
201783%
201682%
201410%
201310%
201231%
201172%
201042%
200911%
200821%
200751%
2006164%
2005254%
200465%
20033927%
20022219%
20012414%
20003411%
19993115%
19984017%
19973822%
19968233%
199533956%
199416045%
19931111%
1992710%
199168%
19901012%
198966%
198844%
1987513%
1986517%
1985213%
1984422%
1983120%

Other parts of the 2005 Ford Mustang

Air bags
235 complaints
Electrical system
225 complaints
Fuel system
100 complaints
Body and structure
56 complaints
Vehicle speed control
54 complaints
Brakes
36 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
25 complaints
Other or unknown
23 complaints
Suspension
20 complaints
Engine
19 complaints
Exterior lighting
16 complaints
Equipment
13 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 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