The Lemon Index2009 Ford Mustang.
The 2009 Ford Mustang is better than average by owner complaints: 29 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 52, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 6 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 181 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Mustang year. 2009 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 20K to 66K miles on the car (72 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 30K–69K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 13K–100K miles
Recalls 6
- 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 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 6 recalls
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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.
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 27 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…
- Following clutch/transmission symptoms: hard to disengage
- Difficult to diagnose water leak in the front floor area
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
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
2009 Ford Mustang gaining speed up to 100 mph acted like cruise control problem Ford dealer checked it out (conclusion) no problems found.
2009 Ford Mustang owner · NHTSA complaint 10303332
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Ford Mustang reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 52; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Mustang year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2009 Ford Mustang problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (38%), airbags (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Mustang have?
6 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 2009 Ford Mustang get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Ford Mustang problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,000 and 66,800 miles. The middle report was at 40,000 miles, from 72 complaints.
Does the 2009 Ford Mustang have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Ford Mustang cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Ford Mustang have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Ford Mustang year is better than the 2009?
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