KnownCarProblems2004 Ford Mustang Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford Mustang, most often about the speed control (28% of complaints, typically around 8,000 miles). It is 21st of 27 Mustang model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2004 Ford Mustang problems
Speed control
33 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 8,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control, linkages.
I have read about this issue from other 2003/2004 cobra owners and did not think it was a problem for me after inspecting my car. However, on july 30, 2005 I experienced an issue where the accelerator was stuck on the floor at full throttle. This happened on a city street and could have caused a serious issue if I did…
I was driving my 2004 svt cobra, I was in a 55mph zone and went to pass a guy. My accelerator got stuck on the carpet and would not come up, I was forced to shut the car down and pull off to the side to figure out what was wrong. This has happened on 3-4 occasions while I revved my engine also, I have since cut the…
Other or unspecified
15 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 8,000 miles.
While driving my 2004 Ford Mustang gt convertible with the top down and the boot fastened as instructed in the owner's handbook, the boot detached and flew into traffic. This has happened on two occasions.
While accelerating my gas pedal got stuck under my carpet and my engine RPM's shot up and my engine almost blew because I couldn't get my gas pedal unstuck, I finally had to cut my engine off so my engine wouldn't blow;I was fortunate that the freeway was clear and no cars in front of me.
Transmission
9 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 16,500 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, clutch assembly, manual transmission, automatic transmission.
I have manual transmission. When you put it in reverse it would not go backward. I took it to the dealer, when I got the car back, second gear grinded very badly. I did not have this problem when I initially took the car in. They kept telling me to drive the car and it would work, it way out. It did not work its way…
A few days prior my car made a squealing noise when I stopped. On dec 25, 2006 I was traveling down a residential street when my axles shift and my car tires locked up, it was approximately 1/8 mile from my home. The steering wheel was shifted approximately 90 degrees.
Engine
9 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 16,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
1) we purchased a 2004 Ford Mustang convertible. The vehicle was parked in our garage. The exhaust tail pipe has a poor design due to the design cut on the end which leaves two sharp pointed edges like the end of knives. The points are located approximately 1 inch past the bumper. All other vehicles we have seen have…
In 2004 my mom bought a new 2004 Ford Mustang with the 3.9 v-6 motor and within a couple of months it started ticking real loud when you first start it up. Come to find out it was a passenger side exhaust leak that just got worse, and at the same time her engine started making loud chirping and crazy noises to find…
Brakes
9 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
(1) cold weather in michigan. Dry car, no additional frozen water on vehicle. (2) parking brake does not release when freezing temperatures exist. Unable to move in reverse without heavy acceleration. Free play in parking brake handle eventually goes away after sitting ( 3 - 10 minutes ), or driving forward with the…
2004 Ford Mustang rear brake caliper/piston failure. The failure resulted in a near fire on the right rear of the vehicle. End results in replacement of the rotor, caliper, and brake pads. The left rear brake system was unaffected.
Air bags
9 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Following a frontal accident at 40 MPH neither from air bag deployed from my 2004 Ford Mustang, VIN []. Updated 07/11/2012 information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Dt: the caller's son pulled into a gas station when both front air bags deployed. He was going about 2 MPH, and he did not hit anything. Air bags deployed without warning. Dealer cut the airbag out of the steering wheel, and they put the passenger's side air bag back in. The diagnostic said there was nothing wrong…
Suspension
7 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 6,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
I brought this car on 07/07/04. At three months that I brought the car I notice that the car wasn't driving right the car doesn't stay straight on the road. I goes sideways as I drive. I tried to fix the car many times and it still drives the same way. Also the hood is not put on properly. I want to cancel the…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Ford Mustang. The rear axle housing was corroded and rusted which the contact noticed after a routine maintenance. The contact called the dealer who stated there were no recalls. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 15,000. Updated 04/08/11
Fuel system
6 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: delivery, carburetor system.
While driving service engine light came on. The gear shift lever vibrated, all the fluid levers went to empty, and vehicle coasted to a stop. Vehicle was serviced twice by the dealership for this problem in which the clamp was replaced. However, problem recurred.
Second time this happened...throttle pedal stuck under carpet of vehicle causing vehicle to accelerate continuously, and hit rev limiter while I was heading towards stopped traffic. Cut engine to stop throttle, but without power brakes and steering it was more than frightening. Pulled to side of road and had to force…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Ford Mustang recalls
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: This could interfere with the pedal's ability to return to an idle position. Unexpected, continued throttle application and/or increased stopping distances may occur which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a shield over the cutout in the carpet behind the accelerator pedal. The recall began on april 26, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
On certain mustang cobra passenger vehicles, the rear surface of the accelerator pedal may come into contact with floor carpeting during heavy throttle application. The unique surface profile of the accelerator pedal may catch in the cutout on the floor carpeting behind the accelerator pedal.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
Summary
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehi
Accelerator pedal interference
Summary
On april 3, 2006, ford motor company submitted a defect information report to NHTSA concerning a defect condition that could result in interference between the accelerator pedal and floor carpeting in approximately 19,140 model year 2003 and 2004 mustang cobra vehicles (ford recall no. 06s43/NHTSA recall 06v-108, copy attached).ford will recall the vehicles to install a shield beneath the accelerator pedal to prevent the pivot pin on the rear surface of the pedal from coming into contact with the floor carpeting during heavy throttle application.in those vehicles where the floor carpeting does not fit flush with the sheet metal, the unique rear surface profile of the mustang cobra pedal may
Accelerator pedal interference
Summary
Pe05-038 was opened on july 7, 2005, with 11 consumer complaints to odi alleging incidents of throttle sticking due to accelerator pedal interference with the carpet.odi has received an additional 24 complaints since the pe was opened.during pe05-038, ford supplied complaint and warranty information regarding 86 additional incidents of accelerator pedal interference in model year 2003 to 2004 mustang cobra vehicles.eighty-five of these had concerns of accelerator pedal sticking, 70 of which were analyzed as being related to carpet interference.odi is continuing its analysis of the causal factors in the remaining 15 incidents.this preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering ana
Questions about the 2004 Ford Mustang
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Mustang?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: speed control (33 complaints, typically around 8,000 miles); other or unspecified (15 complaints, typically around 8,000 miles); transmission (9 complaints, typically around 16,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Mustang have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 7, 2006 (speed control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Ford Mustang?
- It is 21st of 27 Mustang model years by number of complaints, with 116 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.