The Lemon Index2003 Ford Mustang.
The 2003 Ford Mustang is worse than average by owner complaints: 154 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 135, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best Ford Mustang year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 231 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Mustang year. 2003 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 2K to 44K miles on the car (159 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 0K–13K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 0K–26K miles
- seat belts complaints mostly came at 12K–97K miles
Recalls 6
- 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 6 recalls
- 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.
- speed control 2006
ON CERTAIN MUSTANG COBRA PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH FLOOR CARPETING DURING HEAVY THROTTLE APPLICATION.
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 59 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Ticking/tapping noise with the engine warmed up and the transmission in gear at idle
- Intermittent high idle condition
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
- ClosedAccelerator pedal interference2005–2006
- ClosedAccelerator pedal interference2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Manual transmission Series 3650 on 2003 Ford mustangs grind and/or lock out upon shifting into 2nd gear as well as in to third as the problem continues.
2003 Ford Mustang owner · NHTSA complaint 10054508
More owner reports
Engine stalls with clutch disengaged, coasting at any speed such as when slowing to a stop, slowing for turn, etc. Loss of power, causes instability to turn, brake, or accelerate as expected.
NHTSA complaint 10049635
Concerns with a tr3650 manual transmission exhibiting clash/grinding sound during the first few miles of driving.
NHTSA complaint 10056476
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Ford Mustang reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 135; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Mustang year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2003 Ford Mustang problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (32%), transmission & drivetrain (17%) and speed control (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Mustang have?
6 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 2003 Ford Mustang get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Mustang problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 2,100 and 44,600 miles. The middle report was at 14,000 miles, from 159 complaints.
Does the 2003 Ford Mustang have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Ford Mustang cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Ford Mustang have?
3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Ford Mustang year is better than the 2003?
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