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 112 of 116 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 85 of 116 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.
Speed control
34 complaint records4 crash reports
"2004 MUSTANG - ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE MULTIPLE TIMES. APPEARS TO BE CAUSED BY PEDAL COMPONENT STICKING UNDERNEATH CARPET...."- 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 →
Power train
11 complaint records1 crash report
"MY GAS PEDAL HAS GOTTEN STUCK DURING WIRDE OPEN THROTTLE ON MY 2004 MUSTANG SVT COBRA. THE DEALER TRIED TO ADJUST THE GAS PEDAL, BUT THE ISSUE OCCURED AGAIN ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS...."- 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 power train parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
9 complaint records
"Po442 Evaporative Emmison system leak. Heat catalyst egr set malfunctions. Primary and secondary a/c system deficiencies...."- 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 →
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSM 46085 Sep 2016 | Engine And Engine Cooling | The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. | |
| 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 |
Show 28 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 042421 Jun 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT | |
| 05310 Feb 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT WEB STOP BUTTON SERVICE. *EH | |
| 042613 Dec 2004 | Power Train | 1-2 SHIFT CLASH, GRIND OR HARD TO SHIFT - TR3650 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *TT | |
| 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. | |
| 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 | |
| 17952 Jul 2004 | Power Train | HARD TO SHIFT. *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 | |
| 17577 Feb 2004 | Power Train | GEAR WHINE IN 1ST, 3RD AND REVERSE GEARS. *TT | |
| 17497 Jan 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | OVERHEATING CONDITION - COOLING SYSTEM FILL/BLEED PROCEDURE. *TT | |
| 17510 Jan 2004 | Power Train | DRIVELINE CLUNK DURING GEAR CHANGES AND/OR QUICK ACCELERATION AFTER COAST (TIP-IN) CLUNK. *TT | |
| 17519 Jan 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | 4.6L SUPERCHARGED ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A LACK OF POWER AND NO BOOST WHEN THE VEHICLE IS INITIALLY DELIVERED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *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 | |
| 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 | |
| 17171 Sep 2003 | Structure | CONVERTIBLE TOP LIFTING UNEVENLY. *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 |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- 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.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- 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.
- 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 →