The Lemon Index2008 Ford Mustang.
The 2008 Ford Mustang is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 46 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 47, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, 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 347 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Mustang year. 2008 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 11K to 68K miles on the car (142 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 14K–69K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 5K–84K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 41K–102K miles
Recalls 8
- airbags 2021
Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers.
- 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 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 8 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…
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 24 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Due to vehicles, with carbon fiber clutches, a chatter or moan/groan noise is heard while…
- 4.6l with tr3650 manual transmission; clash or raspy feel; shifting into 2nd and/or 3rd gear
- Following clutch/transmission symptoms: hard to disengage
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
- ClosedTire valve cracking2008–2009
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: 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
2008 Ford Mustang gt500. Consumer states problem with clutch assembly
2008 Ford Mustang owner · NHTSA complaint 10430931
More owner reports
Rear end noise and sloppy drive shaft. Rear end had to be rebuilt.
NHTSA complaint 10230264
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Ford Mustang reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 47; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Mustang year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2008 Ford Mustang problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (33%), airbags (22%) and speed control (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Ford Mustang have?
8 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 2008 Ford Mustang get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Ford Mustang problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 11,600 and 68,200 miles. The middle report was at 37,200 miles, from 142 complaints.
Does the 2008 Ford Mustang have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 33% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Ford Mustang cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Ford Mustang have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Ford Mustang year is better than the 2008?
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