Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2004 Ford Mustang
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Ford Mustang has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 116 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08E050000 FMVSS 108/HEADLAMPS/MISSING AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E056000 FUEL LEAK/FIRE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E049000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06V108000 ACCELERATOR PEDAL SHIELD NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 33 complaints
- Unknown or Other 15 complaints
- Air Bags 9 complaints
- Power Train 9 complaints
- Suspension 7 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 6 complaints
Of the 116 complaints on file, 20 report a crash; across all 116 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2004 Ford Mustang shows a concerning number of issues with vehicle speed control and power train. Recalls and complaints highlight problems with aftermarket parts, speed control, and fuel systems. While iconic, older models like this require diligence in maintenance to ensure safety and performance.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| vehicle speed control | 50,000–80,000 miles | $200–$600 | very common |
| power train | 80,000–120,000 miles | $500–$2,500 | common |
| fuel system | 60,000–100,000 miles | $200–$1,000 | occasional |
| suspension | 60,000–90,000 miles | $300–$1,200 | occasional |
| air bags | 70,000–110,000 miles | $400–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Brake pads and rotors every 40,000 miles
- Transmission fluid service every 60,000 miles
- Replace belts and hoses every 60,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 50,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- High-revving or surging engine
- Lag in acceleration response
- Unusual noises shifting gears
- Vibrations at highway speeds
- Delayed or rough braking
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Ford Mustang at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.