2005 Ford Mustang Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 3%of 705 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Ford Mustang, 3% of the 705 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Engine light came on and car was sticking in gear so I took it to the dealer. The dealer found out through a diagnostic test that the throttle assembly but wanted me to pay almost $1000.00 to get it fixed. I told them no and picked my car up. I went on line and found out there was a recall on the throttle assembly.”
NHTSA complaint #10788742, filed 2015-11, 51,000 miles“The day after getting my oil changed (which has been done routinely through out the life of my car) on my way to work the following morning my car began to slip erratically out of gear, it dropped into neutral when going from a complete stop (I narrowly avoided getting hit turning left across traffic) and then slipped into reverse at a stop light, which I did not discover until I hit the gas and nearly slammed into the car behind me at the light. …”
NHTSA complaint #10689780, filed 2015-02, 64,000 miles“In heavy city traffic, stepped on gas to accelerate, car would not go. Kept giving gas would finally respond. Did this several times in one day. Next time we tried to drive it engine safe mode light came on and car would not accelerate at all. Through research and talking to others determined that it is the throttle body (drive by wire) a known problem with some Ford vehicles. Talked to the Ford dealer where we bought the car and the service person we spoke to told us it would be covered by Ford's extended warranty in response to csp 13n03. …”
NHTSA complaint #10611384, filed 2014-07, 74,000 miles“Since about a year ago, november 2013, this vehicle has shown multiple issues. To start, it is an automatic 05 Mustang which, the more I read online, the more that I seem to find that many have these exact same or very similar issues. Initially the dash cluster (everything besides the tachometer) was not functioning properly. The speedometer would get stuck at 20 MPH but still move acting as though the 20 MPH was the 0 MPH mark (so 35 MPH = 15 MPH). More recently the gas gauge has stopped working, it sits at empty even after plenty of gas has been put into it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10659251, filed 2014-11, 80,000 miles“I was driving about 55mph and heard a beep, looked in the dash and saw the engine went into a fail safe mode . The car slowed down and jerked and slowed down quite a bit. Went to the dealership and could'nt find anything wrong w/ it. It started happening more often, so finally found a mechanic that was able to diagnose and fix the problem for $800. I saw in the paper that a few toyotas had this problem and wanted to let you know it happened on a new Ford Mustang as well. Also, whenever it rains, (the same car) leaks water into and puddles up under the passenger's seat. …”
NHTSA complaint #10500534, filed 2013-02, 7,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10143079Jun 1, 2018Various vehicles equipped with a 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L modular 3 valve engine built on or before 8-Jan-2016 may exhibit symptoms that may include upper end engine noise, rough…
- 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…
- 10048099Aug 1, 2012Ford/lincoln/mercury: may have sludge buildup in throttle body leading to less airflow or engine idling rpm fluctuation and hard starts or battery disconnect or dead battery…
- 10045340Jul 10, 2012Ford/lincoln/mercury: if battery was disconnected or dead, vehicles/trucks may experience hard starts and engine idle rpm fluctuation and exhibit diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs)…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 38% |
| 2025 | 3 | 16% |
| 2024 | 10 | 12% |
| 2023 | 2 | 13% |
| 2022 | 5 | 10% |
| 2021 | 8 | 15% |
| 2020 | 25 | 21% |
| 2019 | 53 | 35% |
| 2018 | 59 | 30% |
| 2017 | 27 | 10% |
| 2016 | 76 | 20% |
| 2015 | 51 | 12% |
| 2014 | 18 | 5% |
| 2013 | 22 | 8% |
| 2012 | 30 | 6% |
| 2011 | 48 | 10% |
| 2010 | 8 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 6 | 2% |
| 2007 | 15 | 2% |
| 2006 | 11 | 3% |
| 2005 | 19 | 3% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 6 | 4% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% |
| 1999 | 1 | 0% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 2 | 1% |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 0% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1989 | 1 | 1% |
| 1986 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2005 Ford Mustang
235 complaintsElectrical system
225 complaintsFuel system
100 complaintsBody and structure
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
54 complaintsBrakes
36 complaintsEngine cooling
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsSuspension
20 complaintsExterior lighting
16 complaintsEquipment
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