Engine
3.8L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 137 of 145 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 86 of 145 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Engine & cooling
47 complaint records2 crash reports
"THE CAR SOMETIMES STALLS AND THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING TURN OFF. VERY DANGEROUS, I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A SEMI TRUCK. *JB..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Speed control
16 complaint records4 crash reports
"VEHICLE BEGAN A SUDDEN ACCELERATION SURGE MAKING THE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL AND ENDED UP STRIKING A TREE. (NAR)*LA *CB..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse speed control parts in the directory →
Seat belts
16 complaint records
"MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE SEAT BELTS. THEY GET TWISTED UP EVERY TIME YOU USE THEM. MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT IS LOCKED RIGHT NOW AND I CANT EVEN USE IT. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse seat belts parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP05005 opened Sep 2005 | closed Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD 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... |
| EA05014 opened Sep 2005 | closed Apr 2006 | Vehicle Speed Control | ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE - led to recall 06V108000 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... |
| PE05038 opened Jul 2005 | closed Sep 2005 | Vehicle Speed Control | ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE 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... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06V108000 | Vehicle Speed Control | ON CERTAIN MUSTANG COBRA PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH FLOOR CARPETING DURING HEAVY THROTTLE APPLICATION. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006080 2006-04-18 | Other | 818 | On certain Mustang SVT Cobra vehicles, the accelerator pedal may come into contact with floor carpeting during heavy throttle application. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07212 Oct 2007 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. *NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. *PE | |
| 06216 Jan 2006 | Power Train | LIMITED SLIP AXLE CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING SENSATION, OR VIBRATION DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS. *TT | |
| 06513 Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE MISFIRE WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) PEWEE, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306, P0307, P0308, AND P0316. *TT | |
| 041601 Nov 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT | |
| 042421 Jun 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT |
Show 54 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05310 Feb 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT WEB STOP BUTTON SERVICE. *EH | |
| 04189 Dec 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 04248 Dec 2004 | Steering | STEERING RACK NOISE. *TT SQUEAK/CREAK NOISE FROM STEERING RACK WHEN TURNING. *SC | |
| 042107 Dec 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 041003 Nov 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | EXHAUST LEAK - CRACKED OR SEPARATED RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST PIPE - 3.8L AND 3.9L ENGINES. *TT | |
| 04198 Oct 2004 | Power Train | MANUAL TRANSMISSION HARD TO SHIFT INTO FIRST/REVERSE FROM A STOP. *TT | |
| 18229 Oct 2004 | Steering | POP/CLUNK OR SQUEALING NOISE FROM THE STEERING GEAR WHEN TURNING, DRIVING OVER BUMPS, OR BRAKING. OASIS. *TT | |
| 04174 Sep 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED - SYSTEM LEAN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) - SERVICE TIPS. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 F-SERIES. *TT | |
| 031404 Aug 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE MISFIRE OR RUNNING - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIPS. TO INCLUDE VARIOUS 2005 MODELS. * AR THIS ARTICLE 04161 SUPERSEDES TSB 03-14-04. | |
| 04156 Aug 2004 | Power Train | TR3650 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - JUMPS OUT OF GEAR 2ND AND/OR 3RD - CLASH NOISE AND/OR RASPY FEEL ON GEAR ENGAGEMENT. *TT | |
| 041514 Aug 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 04134 Jul 2004 | Power Train | TRANSMISSION RATTLE NOISE OR DIFFICULT TO SHIFT CONDITION ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TREMEC T56 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *TT | |
| 031501 Jul 2004 | Visibility | INOPERATIVE ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER (HEATED BACKLITE) GRID LINES, INTEGRAL ANTENNA CONCERNS. *TT | |
| 17858 Jun 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE TICKING NOISE. *TT | |
| 17868 Jun 2004 | Electrical System | INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER OR CRANK NO START - POSSIBLE PATS LAMP FLASHING AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) U1147 AND/OR U1262. *TT | |
| 04103 May 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | EXHAUST LEAK. RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST PIPE ON 3.8L OR 3.9L ENGINE. *TT | |
| 17531 Feb 2004 | Equipment | THUMP NOISE WHEN A/C CLUTCH ENGAGES. *MJ | |
| 17542 Feb 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | LACK OF POWER ON DECELERATION. *MJ | |
| 17577 Feb 2004 | Power Train | GEAR WHINE IN 1ST, 3RD AND REVERSE GEARS. *TT | |
| 0412 Jan 2004 | Structure | HEADLINER SAGGING IN REAR OF VEHICLE. *TT | |
| 17497 Jan 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | OVERHEATING CONDITION - COOLING SYSTEM FILL/BLEED PROCEDURE. *TT | |
| 17506 Jan 2004 | Suspension | FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE. *TT | |
| 17510 Jan 2004 | Power Train | DRIVELINE CLUNK DURING GEAR CHANGES AND/OR QUICK ACCELERATION AFTER COAST (TIP-IN) CLUNK. *TT | |
| 03256 Dec 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE-ROMEO BUILT 4.6L 2V-TICK NOISE FROM ENGINE-ENGINES BUILT BEFORE 9/17/2003. *MJ | |
| 03243 Dec 2003 | Power Train | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR LEVER STUCK IN PARK, UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK. OVERDRIVE FUNCTION INOPERATIVE. *TT | |
| 17453 Dec 2003 | Exterior Lighting | CONDENSATION AND/OR WATER ACCUMULATION IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. *TT | |
| 17248 Oct 2003 | Power Train | DRIVELINE VIBRATION. COBRA MODELS. *TT | |
| 17251 Oct 2003 | Vehicle Speed Control | SOME MACH 1 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT HIGH IDLE CONDITION WITH THE THROTTLE CLOSED. *TT | |
| 17286 Oct 2003 | Equipment | THUMP NOISE WHEN AIR CONDITIONING CLUTCH ENGAGES. *TT | |
| 03181 Sep 2003 | Electrical System | REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 17100 Sep 2003 | Suspension | SQUEAKING OR CRUNCHING NOISE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS OR BRAKING. *TT | |
| 17104 Sep 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | TICKING/TAPPING NOISE WITH THE ENGINE WARMED UP AND THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR AT IDLE. 2003 E150 INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 17171 Sep 2003 | Structure | CONVERTIBLE TOP LIFTING UNEVENLY. *TT | |
| 03164 Aug 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L 2V ENGINE, WITH AN ENGINE BUILD DATE PRIOR TO 8/29/03 MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE TICK NOISE THAT IS PRESENT AT ALL TEMPERATURES DURING IDLE. 2004 MODELS INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 03144 Jul 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING CONDITION WITH COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS MAY BE MORE ACCURATELY DIAGNOSED USING THE OPTIONAL WORLDWIDE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (WDS) COIL ON PLUG (COP) KIT. 2003 SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 16995 Jul 2003 | Suspension | FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE. *TT | |
| 16907 Jun 2003 | Structure | LOOSE DOOR TRIM PANEL OR A NOISE FROM THE DOOR TRIM PANEL AREA WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS. *TT | |
| 0395 May 2003 | Suspension | POPPING TYPE NOISE WHILE TURNING INTO OR OUT OF AN INCLINE, SUCH AS TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY, AT LOW SPEEDS (BELOW 15 MPH (25 KM/H). *TT | |
| 0398 May 2003 | Fuel System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATION WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457, P1442 OR CHECK FUEL CAP LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0457. *TT | |
| 16785 Apr 2003 | Exterior Lighting | CONDENSATION AND/OR WATER ACCUMULATION WITHIN THE FOG LAMP ASSEMBLY. *TT | |
| 0336 Feb 2003 | Suspension | DRIFT OR PULL TO RIGHT OR LEFT. MUSTANG COBRA MODELS ONLY. *TT | |
| 16644 Feb 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L ENGINE AND THE T5 TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT HIGH IDLE BETWEEN SHIFTS. *TT | |
| 03261 Jan 2003 | Power Train | NEW SERVICE PART - NUMBER 5 NEEDLE BEARING AND RACE KIT - 4R70W TRANSMISSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 030105 Dec 2002 | Seats | PASSENGER SEAT RUBS AGAINST DOOR PANEL. *TT | |
| 02111 Nov 2002 | Fuel System | FUEL PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE (SCHRADER VALVE) DISCONTINUED. *TT | |
| 02221 Nov 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE-GEAR DRIVEN SYNCHRONIZERS-INCORRECT INSTALLATION-CAMSHAFT POSITION SYNCHRONIZER (CMP) INSTALLATION TOOL CORRECT APPLICATION. *MJ | |
| 16380 Nov 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SERVICE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET FOR 4.6L APPLICATIONS. *TT | |
| 02208 Oct 2002 | Equipment | CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH | |
| 16316 Oct 2002 | Structure | CONVERTIBLE TOP LIFTS UNEVENLY. *TT | |
| 02176 Sep 2002 | Exterior Lighting | LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ | |
| 02178 Sep 2002 | Structure | NOISE-WINDNOISE FROM THE A PILLAR AREA. *MJ | |
| 16067 Jul 2002 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A HARD TO SHIFT INTO GEAR CONDITION PARITCULARLY FROM A STOP INTO FIRST OR REVERSE GEAR. *TT | |
| 16069 Jul 2002 | Power Train | SOME COBRAS MAY EXHIBIT A CLUNK NOISE FROM THE DRIVELINE DURING A QUICK ACCLERATION JUST AFTER COAST (TIP-IN CLUNK). *TT | |
| 011403 Jul 2001 | Exterior Lighting | CONDENSATION AND / OR WATER ACCUMULATION WITHIN THE FOG LAMP ASSEMBLY. *TT |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Test the throttle response and the cruise control on an open road.A surge, a hang in engine speed after lifting off, or cruise that will not set or cancel cleanly are the speed-control complaints on this vehicle.
- Pull and release every belt.A belt that retracts slowly or a buckle that will not latch matches this vehicle's seat-belt cluster.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 1 recall campaign on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Ford Mustang →