Gas pedal catches on vehicle carpet preventing deceleration. The hinge of the gas pedal lodges underneath the lip of the carpet keeping the vehicle accelerator depressed during driving conditions.
2003 Ford Mustang acceleration problems
16 complaints (11% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 14,000. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 16
- of this car's complaints
- 11%
- typical mileage
- 14,000
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Accelerator pedal9
- Cruise control2
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 acceleration problems in other years
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
- What is wrong
- On certain mustang cobra passenger vehicles, the rear surface of the accelerator pedal may come into contact with floor carpeting during heavy throttle application. The unique surface profile of the accelerator pedal may catch in the cutout on the floor carpeting behind the accelerator pedal.
- Risk
- This could interfere with the pedal's ability to return to an idle position. Unexpected, continued throttle application and/or increased stopping distances may occur which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a shield over the cutout in the carpet behind the accelerator pedal. The recall began on april 26, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 06V108000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Accelerator pedal interference
On april 3, 2006, ford motor company submitted a defect information report to the federal safety agency 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 cobra vehicles (ford recall no. 06s43/the federal safety agency recall 06v‑108, copy attached).ford will recall the vehicles to install a shield beneath the accelerator pedal to prevent the pivot pin on the rear surface of the pedal from coming into contact with the floor carpeting during heavy throttle application.in those vehicles where the floor carpeting does not fit flush with the sheet metal, the unique rear surface profile of the mustang cobra pedal may allow the pivot pin of the pedal to catch in the cutout on the floor carpeting behind the pedal, interfering with the pedal's ability to return; the result of which could be unexpected, continued throttle application.during the engineering analysis stage of the investigation, odi also examined the possiblity of the same phenomena occuring in non-cobra mustangs.however, the different design of the accelerator pedals on the non-cobra mustangs results in significant differences in the potential contact between the accelerator pedal and the carpeting, with the base of the pedal pad acting to force the carpet away from the pivot pin.this engineering analysis has been closed.
EA05014
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 supplied complaint and warranty information regarding 86 additional incidents of accelerator pedal interference in model year 2003 to 2004 mustang cobra vehicles.eighty-five of these had concerns of accelerator pedal sticking, 70 of which were analyzed as being related to carpet interference.odi is continuing its analysis of the causal factors in the remaining 15 incidents.this preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis.
PE05038
What 2003 Ford Mustang owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford mustang. The contact stated that the cruise control intermittently would not deactivate when the brakes were depressed when driving at speeds of at least 65 MPH. The contact would have to downshift in order to get the stop the cruise control. The dealer stated there were no recalls for the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 67,000. Updated 8/2/10 *cn the consumer stated whenever he used the control, the vehicle would surge and increase in speed. He would have to downshift in order to slow down. Updated 08/09/10
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford mustang svt cobra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and the pedal became stuck. A police report was filed for wreckless driving. The contact reviewed recall 06v108000 (vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal) which was directly related to the failure but the dealer stated that there was no recall for that problem. The vehicle had not been repaired when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 38,900. The current mileage was approximately 40,000.
Gas pedal stuck to floor causing crash and car being totaled.
Ltr fm (ok) wants to speak w/a ford representative re his granddaughter 2003 ford mustang SRS defective cruise control cause the brakes to lock up.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the cruise control was activated. After the activation of the cruise control, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle reached speeds of 80 MPH and above. The contact tried depressing the brake pedal, shifting the vehicle into neutral and shutting off the engine. These attempts to deactivate the cruise control failed. The contact drove onto an on ramp to the interstate while still attempting to deactivate the cruise. The contact was able to dial 911 for assistance of the state police, who provided verbal instructions for stopping the vehicle safely. The contact placed both feet on the brakes and both hands on the emergency brake to get the engine to stall and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was pulled safely to the side of the road where it was then towed to the dealership for inspection. The dealer stated the vehicle's cruise control would be inspected and replaced, however the vehicle was towed back to the residence where it currently resides without repair. Updated 3/29/2006 -
Pedal stuck on 2003 cobra. It happened in 2nd gear. I did not realize pedal was stuck and applied the brake and the car spun out of control slamming into some parked cars.
Gas pedal stuck to carpeting while merging onto expressway. 2003 mustang cobra coupe.
I was heading west on coliseum blvd and went to accelerate to pass a slow moving vehicle when my accelerator pedal got stuck on the carpeting!!! The engine was bouncing off the rev limiter before I even realized what was going on. This car should have never been released to the public like this since there is obviously a defect with the carpeting since all of my friends with 03 cobra's have all had the same incident occur. Something needs to be done to address this problem because it's going to get people killed.
Dt: the consumer stated that the accelerator stuck on 2003, ford mustang. Consumer was parked in a parking lot when he put the car into reverse and backed up. The motor started racing , and the accelerator stuck while the driver was backing, and he crashed into a moving car. The police came and wrote the consumer a ticket for improper backing, but did not write a police report on the accident. The owner had no prior problems with the vehicle, but the owner has only owned the car since april 10.. Consumer was still driving the car. The owner has not had the car checked for any malfunction. Consumer has not talked to the dealership, or the manufacturer. Also, here was no insurance report on the accident. The owner was traveling at a 10 MPH when the accident happened. Owner planned to have the car looked at today for cosmetic damages, and the accelerator checked. There were no injuries to report. *ak
Questions about the 2003 Ford Mustang acceleration
Does the 2003 Ford Mustang have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 16 complaints about the acceleration of the 2003 Ford Mustang, 11% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Mustang acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 14,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Ford Mustang acceleration?
Yes, 1 recall: 06V108000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Mustang have the most acceleration problems?
The Ford Mustang model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2005 (54 complaints), 2007 (43 complaints) and 2011 (39 complaints).
Other 2003 Ford Mustang problems
Engine 45Seat belts 16Transmission 15Airbags 11Electrical 10Suspension 9Brakes 7Fuel system 6Lights 5Tires 5Visibility 5Body 4Seats 2Steering 2Locks 1Wheels 1
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