2002 Ford Mustang engine problems

26 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 72,500. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 26
of this car's complaints: 22%
typical mileage: 72,500
crashes: 2
recalls: 0

Which part fails

Engine: gasoline
9
Engine
4
Engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
2
Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
1
Exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
1
Exhaust system: emission control
1
Exhaust system
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Ford Mustang engine problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Ford Mustang engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Stalling 14 Loss of power 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related 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

What 2002 Ford Mustang owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 28, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · CA

Filed Dec 26, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 150,000 miles · NJ

While idling my car suddenly had cylinder #3 misfire and the spark plug blow out of the cylinder head.

Filed May 18, 2015 · Engine · 72,500 miles · FL

While in drive, with the car stopped, the car tries to surge forward by itself. You have to be weary that you keep additional pressure on the brake or the car will burst forward.

Filed Jul 11, 2014 · Body, Engine · 148,000 miles · VA · fire

My wife was pulling in to the drive way on her way from doing some errands a drive of less than 5 miles and its a rural road where you cant drive more than 30 miles an hour when she smelt like something was burning. She checked the gauges and everything seemed fine and then saw smoke coming off the hood. She only had time to park the car and get off as the whole engine bay got engulfed in flames.the fire fighters arrived and were able to control the fire from spreading but the front half of the car was totally destroyed.

Filed Sep 6, 2011 · Engine · 103,000 miles · GA

The fourth spark plug on my 2002 ford mustang gt 4.6l vehicle blew out. This resulted heavy loss of power, shaking, and more importantly fuel fumes to come out. The incident occurred on an interstate at high-speed and I was very fortunate to safely make it over to the emergency lane. The cost to repair the damage to the car is estimated at $2500. This is a very common safety issue with the ford 8-cylinder engines for what I gathered through independent research after the incident. The threads are too thin around the spark plug and the heat causes them to blew out - literally.

Filed Jan 31, 2011 · Engine · 108,000 miles · CO

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford mustang. The contact stated that the intake manifold leaked coolant while traveling 30 MPH. The contact believed that the leak could cause an engine malfunction and maybe a fire. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. Also, the spark plugs separated from the cylinder head while the contact was driving. The vehicle was being repaired at a local repair shop in reference to the spark plugs. The failure mileage was 108,000.

Filed Nov 14, 2009 · Engine · TX

On my 2002 ford mustang v6 the AC condensation drips to my manifold and keeps cracking the weld. I have to get it rewelded every six months. The guy at the shop tells me he gets at least 10 a month with the same problem.

Filed Feb 4, 2009 · Engine · 90,566 miles · SC

I went to drive my car friday morning and heard a squeaking noise I took it to the shop and had 3 pulleys replaced on it and it was still squeaking they replaced the water pump still squeaking I had 3 mechanics check the car and they told me with the miles that was on my car I should not be having problems coming from my crankshaft I don't even have 100,000 miles on the car yet.

Filed Jul 11, 2006 · Engine · 15,500 miles · KS

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was taken to a service dealer to replace two exhaust mufflers. After two and half months the new stanley steel mufflers became severely rusted. When the service dealer was alerted, they refused to acknowledge any warranty on the mufflers.

Filed Sep 14, 2005 · Engine · FL

Dt: 2002 ford mustang. The consumer stated the exhaust intake on the catalytic converter broke in half. The air conditioner condenser dripped on the catalytic converter intake. This caused the break. Ford was aware of the problem. The exhaust went into the engine, and the pipe was hanging on the road. The dealership will not fix the vehicle under the emissions warranty. There is a technical service bulletin, 04216.

Questions about the 2002 Ford Mustang engine

Does the 2002 Ford Mustang have engine problems?

Owners have filed 26 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Ford Mustang, 22% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2002 Ford Mustang engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 72,500 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2002 Ford Mustang engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Ford Mustang have bad engine?

The Ford Mustang model years with the most engine complaints are 1995 (341 complaints), 1994 (162 complaints) and 1996 (84 complaints).