2006 Ford Mustang: engine failure

Filed Apr 20, 2014 · Engine, Visibility · 80,000 miles · VA

While driving to work one chilly morning I could not feel any warm air coming from the heat or the windshield defroster. I had to return to home because the windows were fogging up and I had no heat. I drove another car to work that day. I later discovered the thermostat housing gasket had a slow leak and allowed most of the antifreeze to leak out. This was the reason the defroster was not working also the thermostat is no longer in contact with any fluid, only the plastic housing, and the temperature indicator never read much above cold while my engine is overheating internally due to low coolant. After replacing the thermostat housing and sensor I still smell antifreeze leaking from some where possibly the head gasket and have to top off the radiator more frequently. I believe this design, placing the temperature sensor in the thermostat housing, is a safety hazard. First off if you have a coolant leak the defroster will just stop working while your temperature reading will be normal or still cold. Secondly engine failure could occur, due to a false temperature indication, and could cause an accident while driving in traffic.

Filed Jul 8, 2012 · Brakes · TX

The parking brake will not work therefore I can not get my vehicle inspected. It goes up and down, no cables are broken visibly, but if you pull the brake it does not stop the car. It is as though the brakes are seized. Clearly I am not the only one with this exact problem, and I almost ran over my wife when depending on the parking brake! How could ford not recall this part when they 'know" it is faulty! The rubber is eaten up on the housing, and like the hundreds of 06 owners I have been reading about ford needs to stop charging people 500+ to fix this and do the recall!!

Filed Jul 16, 2011 · Engine · 69,000 miles · CA

I currently own a 2006 premium v6 ford mustang, and I regularly get my vehicle serviced. My most recent service visit was for an oil change along with all the other standard preventative maintenance that is performed with the oil change; performed 05/20/11. Upon completion, the service adviser told me the mechanic found coolant residue on the vehicle, but that I would not have to worry about it and it was probably nothing. On 06/24 I decided to drive to nevada for the weekend, and my engine overheated due to the coolant leak. I had a horrible experience being stuck in the middle of the desert with no cell phone coverage and little to no traffic on the route I took. It took over six hours before I was able to attain help and have my vehicle towed to the nearest ford service facility - which costed over $500 to tow. I was advised the thermostat housing cracked and leaked, possibly due to improper tightening. My engine apparently is out of warranty now, so I am facing a 4000+ dollar service bill for an engine replacement. Had I been told residue could be a sign of a potential leak that could cause engine failure, I would have paid whatever was necessary to repair the defect. I thought I could confide in my ford dealership in maintaining my vehicle, but apparently I cannot. I am appalled with this experience that serviced my vehicle. I understand my engine is out of warranty, but something needs to be done, because this is clearly negligence on ford's behalf for not advising me coolant was leaking and my engine could potentially fail. My adviser only told me there was residue found, and it was probably nothing I had to worry about. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Nov 24, 2009 · Fuel system · 24,000 miles · IN

2006 mustang 4.0 operated at 68 MPH for 22 miles. Came to intersection and stopped. Accelerated while turning into traffic and vehicle hesitated and engine died. I was nearly hit by tractor trailer rig broadside at 50 + MPH. The federal safety agency and ford motor co. Are aware of this defect as per tsb 06-9-9 which advises to replace original fuel pump with 7r3z-9h307-c fuel pump at the expense of the vehicle owner. This is a safety issue not a tsb issue! Someone will be killed by this defect! It also is not in safety's interest to expect vehicle owners to spend more than $300.00 out of pocket for this repair when many owners will delay this expense. This defect should definitely be handled as a recall !

Filed Jun 19, 2009 · Acceleration, Body · 52,000 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 ford mustang. While driving approximately 10 MPH on wet road conditions, the vehicle came to a stop sign and then proceeded to accelerate. Suddenly, the contact heard water coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the driver observed that the passenger floor panel area and the glove compartment exhibited water leakage. The vehicle resumed normal operation to his residence. The following day, the engine failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the authorized dealer for diagnostic testing and they stated that the failure was contributed to an electrical shortage in the junction box. The technician stated that this was a manufacturer design flaw with the drainage. A fan was used to dry out the junction box; however, the electrical failures still persist. The exterior components that were inoperative consist of: taillights, parking lights, emergency brake lights, turn signals, rear back up lights, and the low beams. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 52,000.