Not many automobiles have loved a lineage as profitable as that of the Ford Mustang. This muscle automotive has been round since 1965, and ushered in a brand new period for the Ford Motor Firm with its iconic design and efficiency. At the moment in its seventh era, it is liked for its every day usability, however which era is probably the most dependable?
On this article, we’ll discover a number of of the latest Ford Mustang generations to see which one you can purchase in the event you’re apprehensive about reliability, though on the entire, it is a fairly stable automotive in terms of getting you locations.
We have now consulted a wide range of respected sources, whereas additionally considering the quantity and severity of shopper complaints/remembers. J.D. Energy high quality and reliability scores have been included, if accessible. Nonetheless, it have to be famous that these scores are an evaluation of preliminary reliability, not long-term reliability. We have now excluded the primary three generations of Mustang and the seventh era, launched in 2024, as there’s not sufficient knowledge to make a transparent judgment.
4. Fifth-generation: 2005–2014
Highest J.D. Energy High quality And Reliability Rating: 87/100 (2008 & 2010 Fashions)
The fifth Ford Mustang era was a return to the styling of the 60s, which was a giant development on the time. What this automotive made up for in appears, although, it misplaced within the reliability division. This era has remembers that dip into double figures, often regarding the airbags, which can rupture at any second. Should you mosey on over to the NHTSA web site, you will discover a massive ‘don’t drive this automotive’ pop-up, as if a crash had been to happen, a failed airbag could have deadly penalties. Ford changed airbags without spending a dime, although, so it is price checking your automotive’s historical past.
Most Widespread Points:
- Airbag failure
- Random accelerator engagement
- Paint effervescent
- Engine stalling/slicing out when stopped
The primary bulk of those points come from the early fashions of the fifth era, most notably 2006. There have been additionally many complaints about unintended acceleration throughout regular driving. If this had been to occur alongside the airbag drawback, this automotive can be an actual hazard to its occupants. On the reverse finish of the rev vary, the automotive is thought to stall on the lights with the one treatment being to rev the automotive throughout idling.
Automotive Complaints was rife with frustrations with the physique paint, too, as it will begin to bubble and peel. Whereas the powertrain points began to decelerate on the latter finish of this era, the physique was nonetheless vulnerable to points. Should you’re in search of stable Ford Mustang reliability, we might steer clear of this automotive.
3. Fourth Era: 1994–2004
Highest J.D. Energy High quality And Reliability Rating: N/A
When this era was launched, folks favored it as a result of its reliability, however discovered its efficiency missing. Whereas there could also be extra remembers on the NHTSA web site, most of those are for small points with the lamps and not to do with the powertrain. The primary gripe with the engine on this era is a seized fan and blown head gasket, each of which trigger the automotive to overheat and burn coolant. If not caught early, it could imply the engine must be rebuilt solely.
Most Widespread Points:
- Head gasket failure
- Parking brake failure
- Seatbelts getting caught
- Gasoline tank leaks
An odd problem with this automotive is gasoline filler O-ring put on, which may trigger fuel to leak out the underside of the automotive on the fuel station. Whereas this does not cease you from fueling the automotive, a fuel leakage on the pump could be very harmful if not cleaned up. The worst mannequin yr for complaints is 1995, so many of the points with this automotive had been sorted out earlier than the following era got here.
A criticism that was mounted in a recall was with the parking brake in automobiles with handbook transmissions. The proprietor’s information states that the automotive ought to be left in first gear, however not all homeowners did this. If the handbrake was not absolutely engaged, the self-adjustment pawl might skip a tooth and transfer forwards gently. Sellers manually adjusted this without spending a dime, however some 434,000 automobiles had been affected. Look out for this when shopping for a used Mustang, though this era did get higher in direction of the tip of its life, with more power and higher appears.
2. Sixth Era: 2015–2024
Highest J.D. Energy High quality And Reliability Rating: 87/100 (2019 & 2020 Fashions)
Current Mustang reliability has been good, because the sixth era is the best-performing automotive on this listing. Its major points got here firstly of its manufacturing with points just like the fifth era. These consists of peeling paint on the bodywork after a number of years. Ford informed homeowners that this was not a problem lined by the guarantee, leaving folks with giant out-of-pocket bills.
Most Widespread Points:
- Paintwork peeling
- Oil & coolant leaks
- Engine stalling at low pace
- Electrical niggles
Regardless that the automotive has 9 remembers listed on the NHTSA web site, it’s nonetheless the best choice by way of reliability. Many of the recall points are small, akin to reversing cameras failing, though there are a number of automobiles affected by melting gasoline traces. Some homeowners additionally complain that within the 2.3L V6 EcoBoost engine, coolant leaks throughout the engine and mixes with the oil, which could be onerous to repair.
Whereas it could be probably the most dependable out of the three latest generations, there are nonetheless many issues to look out for within the sixth-generation Mustang. Electrical points with the inside are costly to repair and comparatively widespread. Probably the most complained-about issues relate to the heated seats and infotainment, each of which can fail utterly whereas driving.
1. Abstract: A Dependable Automotive For The Numbers
With so many Mustangs bought annually, it is no shock that there are some widespread points. Ford has to maintain up with demand and high quality can fall, that means potential patrons should look out for a lot of widespread points to ensure they’re getting a clear instance.
Most points in used Mustangs may have been recalled and changed by sellers without spending a dime, but it surely’s helpful to test this out with homeowners to ensure it has been completed. Simply be weary about shopping for a fifth-generation Mustang, as that is probably the most issue-ridden era.