Model year
2003 Ford Mustang
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 145 complaints for the 2003 Ford Mustang (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 86 complaints under MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE and MUSTANG GT. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE (23), SEAT BELTS (14), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (11). NHTSA lists 3 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 17–21 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,200–$4,850, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 311 complaints
- 2001 173 complaints
- 2002 118 complaints
- 2003 145 complaints
- 2004 116 complaints
- 2005 705 complaints
- 2006 424 complaints
- 2007 615 complaints
- 2008 347 complaints
- 2009 181 complaints
- 2010 261 complaints
- 2011 466 complaints
- 2012 469 complaints
- 2013 271 complaints
- 2014 359 complaints
- 2015 438 complaints
- 2016 380 complaints
- 2017 268 complaints
- 2018 196 complaints
- 2019 151 complaints
- 2020 120 complaints
- 2021 55 complaints
- 2022 50 complaints
- 2023 15 complaints
- 2024 84 complaints
- 2025 19 complaints
- 2026 8 complaints
Recalls
06V108000 · Apr 7, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ON CERTAIN MUSTANG COBRA PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH FLOOR CARPETING DURING HEAVY THROTTLE APPLICATION. THE UNIQUE SURFACE PROFILE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY CATCH IN THE CUTOUT ON THE FLOOR CARPETING BEHIND THE…
Complaints
145 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 19, fire flag on 4, injury field 11, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE | 0 | 35 |
| MUSTANG GT | 0 | 51 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE05038 | ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | Jul 7, 2005 | Sep 13, 2005 |
| EA05014 | ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | Sep 13, 2005 | Apr 10, 2006 |
| DP05005 | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | Sep 22, 2005 | Jan 4, 2006 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mustang · 3.8L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Mustang · 3.8L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Mustang · 4.6L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Mustang · 4.6L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 21 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Mustang · 4.6L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Mustang · 4.6L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 23 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Mustang · 4.6L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 21 | 17 | — | — | $4,850 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Ford Mustang at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.