10 Ford Mustang Model Years to Avoid

Intro

The Ford Mustang recently celebrated its 60-year anniversary. It is one of the best-selling and most beloved sports cars ever created. Every American car enthusiast should own at least one Ford Mustang at some point in their lives. And with millions of them having been built, finding one should not be very difficult. But which one should you go for? Budget has a lot to do with it, as newer and more powerful versions are going to be more expensive. But you are also going to want to consider reliability when you are making your decision. For that we turn to the website carcomplaints.com. They collect data on reported problems for just about every vehicle, including the Ford Mustang. Their data for the Mustang to 1966, however, reliable reporting of problems didn’t really start until around 1995.  

Using this data, we put together a list of the ten Mustang model years with the most reported problems. We listed them in order from the least to the most problematic. If you are in the market for a used Mustang, you may want to reference this list so you can see what you should look out for. Without giving away all the details, we can tell you that the S197 generation takes it on the chin when it comes to problems. Keep in mind, we aren’t saying that the S197 isn’t a great Mustang or that you shouldn’t buy it. And this one data source is not the be-all and end-all of information. However, we think the data is interesting and can help you make an informed buying decision.

As you review the following data remember that a recall is an official recall issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A TSB is an official communication between Ford and their dealers regarding a specific issue and how to fix it. An investigation is when NHTSA investigates serious safety problems which may or may not lead to a recall.

10. 2013 Ford Mustang Problems: 58

We start our list with the 2013 model year Ford Mustang. With 58 total problems reported, it earns a spot on the top ten list, but it is nowhere near as problematic as the Mustangs at the top of our list. By far the most common complaints with the 2013 cars have to do with paint bubbling and peeling. Get used to hearing about that. The good news is that peeling paint won’t leave you stranded anywhere, but the bad news is your car is not going to look very nice. The next most common complaint was about the water pump failing so you will want to keep an eye out for that if you are in the market for one of these.

• Recalls – 6
• TSBs – 113
• Investigations – 0

9. 2010 Ford Mustang Problems: 59

The 2010 model year Mustang falls one spot on our list primarily because it has even more reports of bubbling and peeling paint than the 2013 models. Complaints on the 2010 models also center around the hood rusting. Outside of the paint issues, other common problem areas are around various interior issues ranging from a sticky gas pedal to buttons not working.

• Recalls – 6
• TSBs – 68
• Investigations – 0

8. 2016 Ford Mustang Problems: 68

The 2016 Ford Mustang is the newest model on our list. The good news is that the number of complaints about paint issues are way down. The bad news is that the number of complaints about drivetrain problems is way up. The most common complaint has to do with a vibration while driving. About two thirds of these issues are reported against the EcoBoost V6 models. Other engine problems reported include a loss of power while driving. Again, the majority of these complaints are with the V6 engine. These are serious issues, so if you are shopping for a 2016 EcoBoost V6, be sure to have it thoroughly inspected.

• Recalls – 3
• TSBs – 249
• Investigations – 1

7. 2014 Ford Mustang Problems: 76

The 2014 Mustang lands at the number 7 spot on out list, and guess what? The bubbling paint problems are back. Once again, it is the most common complaint. However, there are also multiple reports of the engine (V6) stalling while driving. There are also a number of complaints about the air bags recall impacting these vehicles. It is a serious issue that includes more than a million Ford vehicles. Be sure any Mustang you are looking at has had the air bag inflator replaced.

• Recalls – 4
• TSBs – 102
• Investigations – 0

6. 2011 Ford Mustang Problems: 93

The 2011 Ford Mustang has the same issues that we have seen reported with the other Mustangs we have discussed so far. Bad paint and stalling engines. However, the 2011 models have a higher number of complaints for both of these issues. Combine that with the same air bag recall and the 2011 model lands at number 6 on our list.

• Recalls – 5
• TSBs – 113
• Investigations – 1

5. 2007 Ford Mustang Problems: 103

Do we have to even say it? Paint problems are abundant on the 2007 models. But there are other issues as well. Several electrical issues have been reported such as alternators failing. The 2007 model was also part of 9 different recall campaigns. That combination leads to a problematic Mustang that lands in the top half of our list.  

• Recalls – 9
• TSBs – 56
• Investigations – 4

4. 2015 Ford Mustang Problems: 114

The 2015 Mustang was the first model year of the new S550 generation. So, you would expect a number of problems with a brand-new generation. And you would be right. Paint problems are still an issue, but there are almost as many reports of engine problems which is even more concerning. Engine complaints vary from stalls to ticking sounds to the car not starting at all. That combined with 9 recalls and 207 TSBs sends this car to number 4 on our list.  

• Recalls – 9
• TSBs – 207
• Investigations – 3

3. 2012 Ford Mustang Problems: 117

The 2012 Mustang gets on our podium for the Mustangs with the most complaints. There is a large number of paint and engine complaints similar to what we have covered with other models. However, for 2012 there is another category of complaints around the suspension. Specifically, the control arm failing. All of these complaints seem to be associated with the V6 cars. That appears to be a trend so far with this whole list. The V8-powered Mustangs don’t seem to have nearly as many complaints.

• Recalls – 7
• TSBs – 106
• Investigations – 1

2. 2005 Ford Mustang Problems: 182

The problem count is really starting to rise now. 2005 was the first model year of the S197 generation and as such there were plenty of growing pains. Again, there are many paint complaints but that is relegated to the third most common issue for this model year. At the top of the list are electrical problems, mostly due to dashboard gauges failing. There are also a number of interior complaints such as wet floorboards. There are even a decent number of complaints about transmission failure.

• Recalls – 9
• TSBs – 72
• Investigations – 3

1. 2006 Ford Mustang Problems: 250

The 2006 Mustang was the second S197 model year and talk about a sophomore slump. Paint complaint numbers are through the roof. But there are also a ton of complaints about electrical issues and engine problems. Take every complaint that exists on the other S197 Mustangs and dial it up to 11 and that is what you have with the 2006 car. If you are looking at buying one of these, be sure your trusted mechanic goes over it from top to bottom and inside and out.

• Recalls – 9
• TSBs – 54
• Investigations – 3

Images: Ford