The Lemon Index2001 Ford Mustang.
The 2001 Ford Mustang is better than average by owner complaints: 138 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 76, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 18 to 20 mpg combined. The best Ford Mustang year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 249 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Mustang year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 27K to 80K miles on the car (120 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 46K–73K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 25K–61K miles
- seat belts complaints mostly came at 11K–82K miles
Recalls 8
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
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.
- lights 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES.
Show all 8 recalls
- lights 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
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.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- parking brake 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 123 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding certain vehicles with 4.6l romeo engines exhibiting an oil leak from the…
- Shorted coil / open pcm fuse / no start or runs
- Vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedSpark plug ejection from cylinder head2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side ★★☆☆☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 25-30 mph and neither frontal air bag deployed. Dealer was notified.
2001 Ford Mustang owner · NHTSA complaint 10091778
More owner reports
While driving at 35mph and with no warning air bag deployed. It could cause serious injuries toe consumer. Dealer will be notified.
NHTSA complaint 8017191
While driving, the consumer had an accident. There was direct frontal impact traveling at 65 mph. The air bags did not deploy. The consumer hit his head on the windshield.
NHTSA complaint 10097041
Quick answers
Is the 2001 Ford Mustang reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 76; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Mustang year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2001 Ford Mustang problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (17%), brakes (16%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Mustang have?
8 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Ford Mustang get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Mustang problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 27,600 and 80,000 miles. The middle report was at 55,000 miles, from 120 complaints.
Does the 2001 Ford Mustang have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Ford Mustang cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Ford Mustang have?
3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Ford Mustang year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2021 and 2022.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works