The Lemon Index2004 Ford Mustang.
The 2004 Ford Mustang is better than average by owner complaints: 87 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 76, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 17 to 20 mpg combined. The best Ford Mustang year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 130 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Mustang year. 2004 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 6K to 56K miles on the car (100 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- speed control complaints mostly came at 4K–24K 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 33 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Thump noise when a/c clutch engages
- Transmission rattle noise or difficult to shift condition on vehicles equipped with a tremec…
- Limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning…
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 $3200–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.8L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
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.
2004 Ford Mustang owner · NHTSA complaint 10213004
More owner reports
While driving my 2004 Mustang cobra, at acceleration my gas pedal got stuck under the carpet, causing the car to accelerate a full throttle. I shut the car off immedately to avoid blowing the engine and/or crashing.
NHTSA complaint 10128903
I bought a 2004 Ford Mustang on 9/15/03. The rear differential was faulty, causing me to take it to the dealership to be replaced on 10/28/03. The rear end whines and is wobbly while making any turns, left or right.
NHTSA complaint 10043868
Quick answers
Is the 2004 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 2004 Ford Mustang problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (34%), transmission & drivetrain (9%) and brakes (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 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 2004 Ford Mustang get?
17 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Ford Mustang problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 6,200 and 56,400 miles. The middle report was at 15,000 miles, from 100 complaints.
Does the 2004 Ford Mustang have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Ford Mustang cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Ford Mustang have?
3.8L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Ford Mustang year is better than the 2004?
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