Ford Mustang GT loss of power problems

Filed Jun 19, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 15,052 miles · CA

This has been and still is a on going safety issue to me and the family. When driving, normally at a low speed the engine will "die", of course I lose all power to the steering, braking, etc. I make an attempt to start it, it will start but, when I try to move the vehicle, it dies again. This has happen to me in the middle of intersections, when I pull up to a red light, or behind a vehicle. I have no forwarning of the event about to take place. Two weeks ago it occurred when my wife was driving and it took her about 40 minutes to get the car running. And yesterday while I was driving, after leaving my garage and drove less than 1/2 mile, the car stopped running, and I traveled about 2 miles and it stopped at least 5 times before I could park. We went shopping and came back out and it started and gave me no problem getting home. I have had it in the shop, r&r fuel tank, replaced fuel level sensor. Was told by one of the technicians I should treat the fuel at lease every two tank fill ups. My concern is that this is going to occur and cause an accident and injury my family and/or other drivers. I have contacted ford and have been informed there is no recalls against the VIN number. I can not believe I am the only mustang owner that is having the problem.

Filed Jan 27, 2011 · Electrical · 55,166 miles · CA

Vehicle was entering freeway when all dash lights stopped functioning and went black. Within several seconds the vehicle lost power and began spluttering. Vehicle pulled onto the side of the freeway and the engine cut out. Vehicle was unable to restart once engine died. Vehicle was taken to dealership where the alternator was found to be defective.

Filed Jul 9, 2010 · Electrical, Fuel system · 22,000 miles · NC

2006 mustang gt manual transmission. Replacement of battery results in engine stalling with air conditioning on when clutch depressed.. The owners manual states on replacing battery the computer needs to relearn idle. This does not work at least not in a reasonable amount of time. The vehicle has been driven over a number of days with no improvement. With the air conditioner running and depressing the clutch either coming to stop or turning a corner the engine idle will drop far enough where the vehicle will stall resulting in a loss of power steering and power brakes possibly creating a dangerous situation. The vehicle ran correctly before the battery replacement and only has 22,000 miles. Googling this issue on the internet finds numerous problems which are identical of which owners of the 4.6l ford v8 (not just mustang) are reporting idle and stalling problems after replacing the battery and with the issue not resolving itself as the owners manual states resulting in either a computer reflash or throttle body replacement. This defect could result in a crash causing serious injury or death. Ford should recall affected vehicles and have the default idle setting set for a higher value so the air conditioner when engaged does not result in the engine stalling. The idle of engine is erratic with the air conditioner on since it is engaging and disengaging due to the low idle speed < 500rpm. By not using the air conditioner the idle speed will return to its normal speed of around 600 to 700rpm but still fluctuates slightly. Not being able to use the air conditioner is not acceptable, especially in the south east. The control feed back of the idle system is incorrectly operating with the air conditioner load on it.

Filed Aug 27, 2008 · Engine · 80,000 miles · PA

My 2000 mustang gt, with the 4.6 engine and with 80,000 miles, experienced a blown out a spark plug while on the highway at 55mph. Just the sound of this (a big "bang!" when the plug hits the inside of the hood and the engine now misfiring, running on 7 cylinders) is enough to distract the best driver and along with the lost of power is an accident just waiting to happen. After being almost rear ended, fortunately there was a parking lot nearby that my car barely coasted to. The plug came completely out of the cylinder head and was laying on the side of the engine with the coil still attached. I understand from ford, there is only 3 to 4 threads, in the cylinder head, that hold the spark plug in. As anyone with any engineering or engine knowledge would know, 3 - 4 threads are not nearly enough to secure a spark plug in a cylinder head with the compression pressure of the piston. This is clearly a engineering defect that could have disastrous effects if my car was unable to move off the highway. This time luck played into it (with a parking lot nearby), but what about the next time? Am I suppose to stop on the highway and take my chances? A plug blows out and there isn't anywhere to park and/or the plug also takes out the fuel rail resulting in a possible fire. As I stated above: an accident just waiting to happen. After further research I've found that this is a common problem on ford v8 engines made from 1997-98 to 2003. I'm really confused as to why there hasn't already been a recall involving these engines. If I make a mistake, I'm held responsible for that mistake. Why shouldn't ford be held responsible for their failures that could result in serious injury or even death? The federal safety agency should immediately issue a recall involving these ford engines. Any the federal safety agency action short of a recall is just plain irresponsible. The federal safety agency is a government agency charged with protecting the public. Please investigate this ford engine defect. The american public deserves nothing less.

Filed May 14, 2007 · Engine · 91,000 miles · VA

Spark plug blew out on the 2000 ford mustang gt 4.6l modular engine while driving. Car started to lose power, back fire, and had a strong odor of fuel / oil. Had to tow vehicle to repair shop. 91000 miles on engine when this happened. This was a known problem on ford modular engines 1999-2003.

Filed Jan 10, 2007 · Transmission · 4,700 miles · NV

Driving on interstate the car lost power momentarily and then resumed normal driving. Within a few miles the vehicle began making a loud noise which sounded like a flat tire. Upon beginning to move to side of road, tapped brakes and vehicle began rocking, shaking and screaming with metal on metal noise. Vehicle was rocking front to back and fishtailing side to side. Vehicle lost all power steering and had no brakes. Upon disengaging brake, vehicle continued to make metal on metal noise, but was coasting with little steering. I was able to maneuver the vehicle onto an exit ramp, but upon nearing the end of the ramp I had to tap brakes again causing car to skid sideways, lock up and violently come to a stop. Upon exiting the vehicle I saw a large part of the car on the ground, glowing orange. This proved to be the drive shaft. I was told that the rear differential disintegrated causing the failure. The rear end, rear driver spring, drive shaft and other components were replaced. This was such a violent incident it caused the clamp which holds the drive shaft in place to be ripped from the frame of the vehicle which caused a hole, which needed to be welded, to occur. Old parts were confiscated to be returned to ford for review.

Filed Nov 28, 2006 · Engine · 70,000 miles · NY

I don't know much about the mechanics of cars, but a spark plug blew out of my 2001 mustang gt causing a loud repetitive noise and a notable loss of power. It was still under the 30 day/3000 miles used vehicle warranty and it was fixed at no charge to myself. The same thing happened again a week later and I was told (in the best words that I can describe it) the threading in the hole of the part of the engine that the spark plug screws into, would no longer hold the spark plug and that the engine needed to be sent to a machine shop to bore the hole in deeper costing a around $3000.00.

Filed Mar 3, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 33,000 miles · TX

I was driving and all of sudden the car lost all power which I could not turn or brake and I almost hit the pillar of a bridge. Took it to ford and said they did not find any problems. The transmission has been rebuilt because of grinding in transmission. It was built 10,000 miles ago, it started doing it again. Also I have talked to other mustang owners having the same problem where the camshaft position sensor codes are being thrown from the computer. Nobody has figured it out yet. I took the car to ford, they told me they couldn't find what was wrong with the car...they would have to take it apart. Didn't do that because I couldn't afford it. I don't understand, the car only had 49,000 miles on it, I expect the car not to give me this much trouble.

Filed Feb 7, 2005 · Engine · 49,000 miles · NC

If the vehicle shuts off while moving it will lose power steering and braking causing the vehicle to swerve.

Filed Sep 2, 2003 · Electrical · 42,875 miles · FL

At speeds of 45 MPH or less, when downshifting and braking, the engine will stall. Power brakes, power steering, and A/C stop. Cannot "pop the clutch" to restart the motor. Must turn key to off and restart the vehicle. This is extremely dangerous as I have been downshifting and turning and have lost power steering in the turn and could hardly turn the wheel while the car was still in motion. This happens randomly and sporadically, and has done it since I purchased the vehicle new.