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2001 Ford Mustang problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Ford Mustang is airbags, typically around 54,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Mustang model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
72/100
Owner complaints
173
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
122
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
18-20mpg

The worst 2001 Ford Mustang problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Ford Mustang

No deployment 14Stalling 13Fuel leak 10Headlights 10Seat belt 8Fuel smell 5

Recalls 1

Parking brake: conventionalReported October 30, 2000 · 434,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. If a vehicle is parked with the parking brake not fully applied and not in first gear, as directed in the owner guide, and the self adjustment pawl subsequently skips one or two teeth, the vehicle could move on some grades.
Risk
This could result in unintended vehicle movement and a vehicle crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will modify the parking brake control and install a plate or over-bracket to the control to lock the self adjust mechanism in position following adjustment.

Recall number 00V349000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2001 Ford Mustang

Defect investigations

Spark plug ejection from cylinder headOpened September 22, 2005, closed January 4, 2006

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 complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it is possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect is very low.in view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that the federal safety agency would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition is denied.

DP05005

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Ford Mustang 122

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 122 bulletins for the 2001 Ford Mustang

2001 Ford Mustang fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.8L 6‑cylRWD1725-2620
4.6L 8‑cylRWD15-162318

What 2001 Ford Mustang owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 16, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

ABS light came on, sometimes when braking/slowing down at freeway speeds, the brakes won't catch and it feels like I'm going to ram into the cars ahead, I've replaced the rotors, the calipers, the brakes, the wheel bearings, ABS light won't go away, I've looked into it on the bullitt community forums, and this is a common problem that most just decide to live with, cause no solution has been found.

Filed Jul 19, 2023 · Brakes · CA

Anti lock brake pump leaking brake fluid from what appears to be a vent /weep hole resulting in rapid brake fluid loss and low/ soft pedal and significant loss of braking.

Filed Oct 27, 2020 · Wheels · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford mustang equipped with hankook tires, tire line: ventus v2 evo2, tire size: 275/35/r18, dot number: 5mrkybh. The contact stated that the tires were purchased in march of 2020 and installed in april of 2020. After driving the vehicle for approximately 3,000 miles, the tires showed excessive uneven tread wear. The contact stated that the vehicle failed the state inspection due to the tread wear failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer was contacted and informed of the issue. The manufacturer recommended that the tires be inspected by an authorized hankook distributor. The contact was informed by the manufacturer that the excessive tread wear was not due to a tire manufacturing defect but an issue with the vehicle. The tires were not replaced and remained on the vehicle. The vehicle failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 25, 2020 · Brakes, Fuel system · 200,000 miles · FL

1. There is a dreadful gas fume odor inside the car every time I put fuel in the car especially when I fill the tank. 2.the emergency brake does not work properly. When engaged my car still rolls a little. 3. The seat belts do not retract properly and tend to twist and tangle when I try to do it manually.

Filed Feb 5, 2020 · Acceleration · 50,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

When backing out of the driveway, I had no control over the vehicle, even while pressing on the brakes. I lost control, went into a yard and hit a tree.

Filed Sep 5, 2019 · Fuel system · 189,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford mustang. While the contact's daughter was placing fuel in the vehicle, she noticed fuel leaking from the fuel tank without warning. The contact managed to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.

Filed May 3, 2019 · Brakes, Fuel system · 64,000 miles · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford mustang. After refueling the vehicle, a fuel leak was discovered underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who discovered that a rubber washer in the fuel system was faulty and needed to be replaced. The washer was replaced and the failure was remedied. While driving at night, the low and high beam headlights were very dim and the driver was unable to see the road. Also, while the vehicle was parked on a incline with the emergency brake engaged, it rolled down the driveway and into the street. The cause of the failures was not determined. Estabrook ford (3689 14th st, pascagoula, ms) and the manufacturer were notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 64,000.

Filed Sep 3, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 146,000 miles · OK · crash

Where it shows how many miles it's digital and it constantly goes off. Smells of gasoline and like something is burning every time drive it. Has a very rough idle and when a /c is on the car has absolutely no power, also burns gas very quick. Exterior head lights lights are dim and I just installed new one yet still dim

Filed Jun 20, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 64,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford mustang. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to a restart a few minutes later. The failure recurred seven times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.

Filed Aug 14, 2015 · Seats · 155,283 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford mustang. While driving at low speeds, another vehicle crashed into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle. During the incident the back of the driver seat fractured. As a result, the driver sustained a bruised hip that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,283.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2001 Ford Mustang

Is the 2001 Ford Mustang reliable?

Owners have filed 173 complaints about the 2001 Ford Mustang, fewer than a typical Mustang model year.

What is the 2001 Ford Mustang year score?

The 2001 Ford Mustang scores 72 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Mustang: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Ford Mustang?

Airbags, with 26 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles. Next is engine (26).

How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Mustang have?

1 recall, covering parking brake.

What year does the Ford Mustang have bad airbags?

The Ford Mustang model years with the most airbags complaints are 2007 (348 complaints), 2014 (245 complaints) and 2008 (240 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2001 Ford Mustang get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Ford Mustang range from 18 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.8L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 17 city and 25-26 highway.

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