VehicleVerdict

2004 Ford Mustang problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2004 Ford Mustang sits mid-pack among Mustang years: 127 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 117, with 6 recalls and 3 closed investigations.

Speed Control leads the complaint categories with 34 reports (27% of the total).

127

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Mustang years?

See all Mustang years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Ford Mustang problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control3427%
Other1814%
Transmission119%
Airbags97%
Brakes97%
Engine86%
Tires & Wheels76%
Suspension65%
Electrical System54%
Fuel System54%
Body & Structure43%
Steering32%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Lighting22%
Seat Belts22%
Seats22%

Does the 2004 Ford Mustang have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

06E056000Fuel SystemJune 13, 2006 · 58,640 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06V108000Speed ControlApril 7, 2006 · 19,140 units

Defect

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 ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Consequence

THIS COULD INTERFERE WITH THE PEDAL'S ABILITY TO RETURN TO AN IDLE POSITION. UNEXPECTED, CONTINUED THROTTLE APPLICATION AND/OR INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE CUTOUT IN THE CARPET BEHIND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL*THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2004 FORD MUSTANG COBRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE FORWARD. HE STATED THAT THE PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB AND, CRASHED INTO A FENCE AND A POLE,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 9, 2007 · crash

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT BECAUSE OF HIS CARPET, HIS ACCELERATOR STICKS AND THE BRAKE HANGS ON THE CARPET AS WELL. THE DEALER REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE SAME THING. THE CONSUMER HIT A POLE AND CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO POLE AND HIS VEHICLE.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 13, 2005 · crash

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. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 12, 2007 · crash

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. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 12, 2007 · crash

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2004 FORD MUSTANG , WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN UPON ACCELERATION THE GAS PEDAL STUCK( BECAUSE OF CARPET) CAUSING HER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AS SHE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ON WET PAVEMENT . SHE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE TOTALING THE CAR AND SHE WAS ALSO HURT WHEN HER FACE HIT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 13, 2005 · crash

2004 Ford Mustang — common questions

Is the 2004 Ford Mustang reliable?

It is close to typical for the Mustang: 127 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2004 Mustang problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (34 complaints), other (18 complaints), transmission (11 complaints).

Does the 2004 Ford Mustang have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Ford Mustang. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Ford Mustang under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Mustang years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mustang years to avoid are 2005, 1995, 2007, 2015, 2011, 2012, 2006, 1994, 2016, 2000, 2014, 2008, 2017, 1996, 2013, 1998, 2010, 1999, 2018, 1997, 2001, 2009, 2019, 2003, 2020. The cleanest record among Mustang years belongs to 1981.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.