The Lemon Index2005 Ford Mustang.
The 2005 Ford Mustang is worse than average by owner complaints: 173 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 155, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about fuel system, gasoline, it has 10 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 868 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Mustang year. 2005 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 17K to 73K miles on the car (552 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 29K–97K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 40K–80K miles
- fuel system, gasoline complaints mostly came at 1K–66K miles
Recalls 10
- airbags 2021
These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute hu…
- airbags 2021
Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 10 recalls
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- 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.
- airbags 2008
FORD IS RECALLING 434,593 MY 2008 MUSTANG VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH ONE OF THE NECK INJURY REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION," FOR AN UNBELTED 5TH PERCENT…
- suspension 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET EIBACH BRANDED FRONT STRUTS ONLY, PART NO. 35101.8001, AND EIBACH BRANDED FRONT STRUTS AS SUSPENSION KITS, PART NOS. 35101.840, 35101.680, 35101.780, 35100.680, 35100.780, 4.10135.680, AND 4.10035.780…
- suspension 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET ROUSH BRANDED FRONT STRUTS AS A STAND ALONE COMPONENT, PART NO. 401297, AND ROUSH BRANDED FRONT STRUTS AS A SUSPENSION KIT, PART NO. 401296, SOLD FOR USE ON 2005 AND 2006 FORD MUSTANG GT VEHICLES.
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 46 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and MKZ/Zephyr,…
- Air bag warning lamp on - dtc b1891 in restraints control module or lamp flashes code 53 -…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Intermittently will not allow a full fill-up on gas. Several different gas stations tested. Only allows for half tank fillup. Seems to worsen when the weather is cold.
2005 Ford Mustang owner · NHTSA complaint 10151060
More owner reports
When fueling car, the gas pump immediately turns off and gas leaks out of tank. This is a repeat of same issue that was to have been resolved with tsb fix completed on the car 5/2/07.
NHTSA complaint 10229099
When putting gas in the car, the gas pump clicks off continuously as if the tank were full. You have to continue engaging the pump over and over to fill the tank.
NHTSA complaint 10114103
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Ford Mustang reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 155; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Mustang year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2005 Ford Mustang problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (23%), speed control (14%) and electrical (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Mustang have?
10 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Ford Mustang get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Mustang problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 17,800 and 73,900 miles. The middle report was at 48,000 miles, from 552 complaints.
Does the 2005 Ford Mustang have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Ford Mustang cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Ford Mustang have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Ford Mustang year is better than the 2005?
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