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2003 Ford Mustang engine complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 45, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2003 Ford Mustang engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jul 23, 2007 · Engine · 74,000 miles · IN

5 of my spark plugs on my 2003 mustang gt 4.6 popped out of the spark plug hole in the cylinder head.all these spark plugs popped out at different times,2 spark plugs holes were striped out and had to be tapped out. This all happened on the right side of the motor too.

Filed Jun 7, 2006 · Engine · 10,000 miles · MD

Dt*: the contact stated the serpentine belt continues to shred. As a result, the brakes fail, the vehicle over heats and stalls. The belt has been replaced at least eight times. The dealership has been alerted and has made several determinations of the failure however, the problem persists. The vehicle is equipped with the saleen package where it has been modified to be a high performance vehicle. The manufacturer has been alerted.

Filed May 19, 2006 · Engine · 1 miles · FL

2003 ford mustang cobra has a stalling problem, this happens when decelerating, or shifting into neutral when stopping. This presents a serious problem, such as rear-ending someone, since you loose power braking and steering. There is a supposed fix for it, (a computer reflash) which I have had twice, but it just plain doesn't work.

Filed Apr 30, 2006 · Engine · 41,330 miles · FL

While sitting at the traffic intersection awaiting the light to turn green. I heard a loud pop from under hood and all of sudden the car began to run like crap. I pulled over to check under the car to see if something had fallen off, but I found nothing. I then checked under the hood to find out my spark blew out my passenger side cylinder head. I took it to the ford dealership for repairs, but my extended warranty would not pay for the repair because they do not cover spark plug damages. This left with a $4,463 repair cost to fix my car that I only owned for three months. While doing research on the internet and asking questions in mechanic shops, it has been apparent that ford engines have defective cylinder heads and recall needs to be issues in regard to this matter. There are many victims affected by this issue and ford has done nothing about this problem. I drive a 2003 ford mustang cobra. I have not repaired my car yet because I'm still hoping for $4000 to fall from the sky.

Filed Dec 4, 2005 · Engine, Transmission · 28,450 miles · CA

While slowing down, downshifting or switching gears, the car engine will just fail and shut off/stall without any warning. The car will not "buck" or shake, it will just turn off, causing the power steering to stop operating. I have had two close incidents where I was turning into a parking lot and almost hit a car because the power steering shut off when the engine died without warning. I am afraid this problem will cause a bad accident, especially when I have two young children riding in the vehicle most of the time. I took the car to ford dealership they stated that they did a full inspection but did not find anything wrong. I am still experiencing the same problem at least several times a day when my engine will just shut off without any warning or notice while I am operating it. Both my husband and my father have driven my car and experienced this problem so I know that it is not the way I am driving it.

Filed Aug 27, 2005 · Engine · 37,456 miles · MA

Purchased a 2003 ford mustang with 22,000 miles on it in feb 2005. Had a ticking/tapping sound coming out of engine bay area at 30,720 miles. Took it to gervais ford in ma, tech looked at it quickly out in the lot and said it was nothing to worry about but I could make an appointment if I would like to. Made an appointment the following week, had 2 tech's look at and they both said it was normal and not to worry about it. Well to my surprise at 37,000 miles 1,000 miles after the warranty has expired the engine fails. Took it back to gervais ford and was told both head gaskets blew and it will cost me close to $2,000 to repair. Possibly more if any internal damage has been done. This is absolutely ridiculous on a vehicle that is new and the issue could have been possibly resolved earlier if that ford dealer properly diagnosed the vehicle.

Filed Aug 25, 2005 · Engine · 10,500 miles · CT

Check engine light has come on 4 times since I have owned the car first time my machanic cleared p0460 code. 2nd time ford cleared p0460 code 3 rd time I unhooked negetive battery post and cleared

Filed Jul 13, 2005 · Engine · 2,335 miles · CA · crash

Gas pedal stuck under carpet

Filed Apr 26, 2005 · Engine, Suspension · 2,949 miles · TX

The steering wheel vibrated. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and they rotated the tires. The problem got worse. Then, consumer took the vehicle back to dealer several times, and the following had been done; the front end, rear end realigned, and wheel balanced. Then, vehicle broke down, and was towed. Rear end was replaced since it was cracked. Violent steering wheel shaking still exists.

Filed Jan 21, 2005 · Engine · DC

2003 ford mustang stalled 5 times between 3rd and 5th gear. ***no answer required***. *mr the dealer was unable to find a defect.

Filed Aug 8, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 6,000 miles · GA

I purchased a new 2003 ford mustang cobra on christmas eve 2002. Around 2000 miles, I began to notice that the car was having problems with the drivability. I thought that it may be a little quirk that would work itself out during the break-in period. *ak needless to say, it hasn't. The first problem began with the engine running roughly. I took the vehicle in and had it inspected at 6,000 miles. The engine began stalling during deceleration and also had power cutting off during take off. This has been a daily occurrance since that time. The car now has 15,000 miles on it and has had several other problems. This recurring problem has had the car in the shop six different times with six failures to correct the problem. The car had the transmission replaced at 12,000 miles. The air conditioning is now cycling where it blows no cold air for short periods of time. The adhesive seal for the spoiler is coming loose and the rear bumper cover is warping as have previous mustangs I have owned. The drivability concern is a hazard to say the least. I have had no fewer than a dozen different occasions where I narrowly escaped a major collision due to the engine bogging down. The vehicle has been in ford's repair facility for more than 4 cummulative weeks for repairs. It is going back in again very soon. I went through ford's arbitration board which was an absolute joke and waste of my time. The board cited that "drivability concerns still exist, however ford has not been granted sufficient time to diagnose the problem". Each time it has been in, I have said, I don't want the car back until it is corrected. Ford also tries to claim that vehicle was only in for service three time according to the report, despite the fact that I have several work orders that say otherwise. I would like anyone who has had or still does have a similar issue to contact me. This car is a lemon, that ford does not want to correct.

Filed Jun 3, 2004 · Engine · IN

2003 mustang. While driving in a hard down pour I went through a puddle causing the breather to suck up some water and blowing my engine. I went to the dealer and they told me ford would not fix the problem. It is still under warranty with less than 20,000 miles. They also informed me this has happened before to others. It has stalled on me before while driving in the rain.

Filed Apr 23, 2004 · Engine · NY

Vehicle had no heat, coolant leakage, vehicle ran rough, etc. (nar) *ph

Filed Feb 4, 2004 · Engine · 11,000 miles · IA

My 2003 ford mustang svt cobra coupe has an engine stalling issue. The engine can stall after following these sequences in order while operating the vehicle in motion. First I release my right foot fully from the gas pedal, then press it onto the brake pedal, and while holding on the brake pedal I also then with my left foot depress clutch pedal down fully, the car may then stall, but it does not always do so. Stalling can occur when these sequences in order are followed while operating the vehicle in motion. If driving into an intersection, this can pose risk due to lost vehicle power steering and power brake systems if the engine has stalled. The power brakes on my 2003 ford mustang svt cobra are boosted by the power steering system's pump which is driven by the rotating engine, the brakes on my 2003 ford mustang svt cobra are not power assisted by the engine's intake vacuum which is very common with domestic vehicles. With a vacuum power assist design, power assist can still be available to the brake pedal even though the engine has just stalled. On the other hand, when the engine driven power steering pump stops turning when the engine stops turning (ie has stalled) on my 2003 ford mustang svt cobra, power assist to the driver to push onto the brake pedal is lost and therefore the force needed to push down onto the brake pedal in order to slow the car is significantly more. This can be a problem for those who do not have the ability to exert enough force onto the brake pedal to stop the car in a timely manner for the circumstances needed in an intersection, should the engine stall. Also, of course, the power steering assist to the driver in order to easily turn the steering wheel is lost. Ford should figure out why the engine stalls while the car's in motion during these conditions and put forward an effort to fix it. Thank you. Joe.

Filed Jan 5, 2004 · Engine · TN

While driving at an undetermined speed vehicle stalled, causing the consumer to pull off the road.

Filed Dec 23, 2003 · Engine · TX

2003 ford mustang cobra - on two occasions while coming to a stop, the engine died, leaving no power assisted steering or braking. Luckily, nothing was in front of me. Svt dealer rep states they're aware of problem but don't know how to fix it. He relayed possible deaths have occurred because of this problem but no alternative at this time other than to park vehicle.

Filed Nov 30, 2003 · Engine · 5,000 miles · TX

Vehicle's engine has died several times when decelerating. When this happens, the power steering and brakes are obviously lost as well. The first time it happened I nearly sailed into a busy intersection. The second time it occured I was coming off of an freeway exit and almost rear-ended the person at the light in front of me. My understanding, from talking with various people on the internet is that this problem is widespread among 2003 mustang cobra owners. Something needs to be done to correct this situation before someone gets injured or killed.

Filed Nov 29, 2003 · Engine · 845 miles · TX

2003 ford svt cobra new with 850 miles has stalled during deceleration eleven times to date causing a very dangerous situation since you have no engine power for acceleration, brakes or steering. I have just missed being in several accidents that could have been fatal to me and others. Ford svt keeps saying they have a PCM reflash and a tsb coming out in two weeks that will fix the problem. However, they have been indicating that for months and are obviously trying to avoid resolving the issue. There are many documented complaints on the svtperformance.com board in the terminator forum including mine in addition to calls to svt on their hotline @ 1‑800‑367‑3788. Please investigate this serious issue with ford before someone is killed or seriously injured. Thank you.

Filed Nov 29, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 1,000 miles · GA

2003 svt cobra has a stalling issue. The car will stall while decelerating. While this has caused me no harm, it can be very dangerous. When the car stalls of course the power brakes and steering cut out drastically changing what you expect to feel from the steering wheel and the brake pedal. Why doesnt ford fix this problem?

Filed Nov 29, 2003 · Engine · 5,350 miles · CA

2003 ford mustang cobra coupe: during decelleration while shifting or in neutral, car stalls, losing power steering and brakes.

Filed Nov 24, 2003 · Engine · 924 miles · TX

While driving 30 MPH the engine failed. As a result the vehicle's steering became inoperative. Please provide additional information.

Filed Nov 20, 2003 · Engine · 4,000 miles · MD

Car stalls without warning.

Filed Nov 19, 2003 · Engine · 115 miles · CA

2003 ford mustang cobra purchased on 11/08/03, vehicle will stall without warning when clutch is depressed. Often this happens when coming to a stop and shifting gears. When this happens the brakes and steering immediately stop working. Currently to date no adequate repair for this problem.

Filed Oct 17, 2003 · Engine · 10 miles · NY

2003 ford mustang cobra engine stalls.

Filed Sep 20, 2003 · Engine · 50 miles · FL

I own a 2003 ford mustang cobra. This vehicle is prone to stalling on deceleration causing loss of power to the brake and steering systems. This condition occurs usually in the morning. This occurs at a rate of around once every week or two since I purchased the vehicle last june 2002.

Filed Sep 19, 2003 · Engine · 6,300 miles · FL

2003 ford mustang cobra... Vehicle will stall without warning when clutch is depressed. Often this happens when coming to a stop and shifting gears. When this happens the brakes and steering immediately stop working. When stopping on an incline this can cause a situation where you either roll into the vehicle in front of you or out into the middle of an intersection. I have had no accidents yet because of this but I have had 1 close call.

Filed Sep 15, 2003 · Engine · MI

My 2003 ford mustang cobra stalled as I was getting off the freeway. When I hit the clutch after decelerating, the car stalled causing me to lose brakes and steering. If it wasn't for the people at svtperformance.com, I wouldn't have known of this issue, and wouldn't have been able to start the car while it was still moving, narrowly avoiding slamming into a brick wall at 60 MPH.

Filed Aug 28, 2003 · Engine · 150 miles · CA

I purchased a 2003 ford mustang on june 20, 2003. Since then I have had it in the repair shop two times, going back for a third on sept. 3, 2003 for the air conditioning unit. It works for a week or two then starts blowing warm air. The first time I was told it didn't have freon, the second time the compressor was taken out and I was given a new one. I won't know until I go back for the 3rd time what the problem now is.

Filed Jun 19, 2003 · Engine · 1,177 miles · VA

Frequent stalling when in a deceleration mode - coasting up to a traffic light - pressing in the clutch while braking. The idle speed drops to about 500 RPM, and then either catches itself and idles up, or does not, and stalls out. This has happened in turns, and this heavy car is hard to turn when the power steering is inactivated by the stalled engine.

Filed Jun 19, 2003 · Engine · 8,000 miles · NY

Potentially dangerous situation when 2003 ford cobra stalls upon deceleration and brakes become inoperable. Almost crashed multiple times. If I get into an accident because of this I will sue forward as they have not recognized this as a problem.

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