2003 Ford Mustang Engine And Engine Cooling:engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

23Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints

16.1%Of all 143 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine and engine cooling:engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE23 · 16.1%

SEAT BELTS14 · 9.8%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11 · 7.7%

Unspecified / other10 · 7%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL9 · 6.3%

Share of the 143 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Ford Mustang overview page.

What owners report

“ALL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN STATING THAT VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 12/19/04 HAVE THIS PROBLEM. A ENGINE CYLINDER WITH NO COMPRESSION. FORD IS AWARE BUT DOES NOT…”NHTSA complaint 10263634 — filed 03/30/2009

“2003 FORD MUSTANG COBRA HAS A STALLING PROBLEM, THIS HAPPENS WHEN DECELERATING, OR SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL WHEN STOPPING. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, SUCH AS…”NHTSA complaint 10157879 — filed 05/19/2006

“WHILE SITTING AT THE TRAFFIC INTERSECTION AWAITING THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN. I HEARD A LOUD POP FROM UNDER HOOD AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE…”NHTSA complaint 10156464 — filed 04/30/2006

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Ford Mustang have engine and engine cooling:engine problems?

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2003 Ford Mustang: 23 of 143 complaints on file (16.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2003 Ford Mustang have in total?

143 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 19 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 11 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine and engine cooling:engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.