Get Hotcars Premium. Start your free trial today
These are three Ford Mustang model years you should avoid due to expensive overhauls.
Arguably, no other car can hold itself against the reputation of the Ford Mustang as a popular pony car. From its debut in 1965 until now, the Mustang has been an icon of American muscle. The upcoming generation of the Mustang is rumored to be fully electric, which could be shocking to V8 fans.
If you’re still not ready to move from combustion engines to batteries and miss the good old days, going for a used Mustang could be a decent option. With its distinctive design, the fourth-gen Mustang can be an excellent option for those looking for a sports car that is iconic, powerful, and has a bit of nostalgia in its core.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the Mustang’s fourth-generation worst year, its reliability, and everything you need to know before finalizing your purchase.
RELATED: Ford Wants To Save The Manuals With Its 7th Generation Ford Mustang
According to the Car Complaints website, 1999, 2002, and 2004 models had the most overall complaints in the Mustang’s fourth generation.
Several 1999 Mustang owners have complained about a rattling noise coming from the exhaust when accelerating. Most owners couldn’t find a permanent solution for this issue, while some others managed to omit the noise by fixing the heat shield on the muffler. On average, owners have spent $650 to fix this problem.
Some owners have mentioned that the 1999 Mustang fails to crank up the engine intermittently. Thankfully the problem can be omitted by fixing the ignition that connects to the key.
2002 Mustang Owners have complained about the engine reacting to acceleration slower than it should and spark plugs ejecting from the cylinders. Almost 40 reports registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) echo these problems.
“The motor keeps blowing spark plugs out of cylinders 7 & 8. 8 has been fixed already, but now 7 needs to be fixed. This is a burden, and Ford should be replacing and fixing these problems because it is a manufacturing problem, not the customer's or owner's fault,” quoted one owner in their post on Car Complaints.
Another widespread problem with the 2002 Ford Mustang is the paint chipping and peeling off on different panels, especially on the hood. The problem doesn’t seem to concern any specific color. The reports on Car Complaints mention black and sonic blue. Owners have had to spend around $700 to repaint the hood. The 2004 Ford Mustang is also plagued with similar paint problems.
Owners of the 2004 Mustang equipped with a convertible roof have complained about rainwater leaking into the cabin.
“Water seems to be leaking between where the glass window joins the vinyl top of the convertible roof. It's just a slow drip leak, but if left unattended in heavy rain, the liner behind the back seat fills up with water. Which is especially not good because all the stereo amplifiers for the Mach audio system are right below it,” said a 2004 Mustang owner in November 2013.
Like the 2002 model, the 2004 Mustang also suffers from spark plugs blowing out of the head. Other than that, owners have complained about the brakes not working correctly and the matt curling up behind the gas pedal, causing acceleration problems.
RELATED: Muscle Vs Weight: 2022 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 Vs 2022 BMW M4 Competition
According to various online auto sources, fourth-gen Ford Mustangs should have no problem reaching 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. For owners who don't use their Mustang every day, 200,000 miles should translate to well over 20 years of reliable service so long as you keep up with the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. Some essential services include:
According to the RepairPal website, maintaining these Mustangs would cost somewhere around $700 a year, reasonable for a 20-year-old sports car.
RELATED: This 1969 Mustang Mach 1 Has Been Refurbished To A State Better Than Its Glorious Past
If you’re looking for a car that can teleport you back to the early 00s, the Ford Mustang is one of the perfect options for you. Buying these cars on the used market can be tricky; that’s why you should be very careful before spending money on one.
Avoiding the 1999, 2002, and 2004 models would be a safer bet. Many owners have complained about expensive repairs pertaining to these model years. Last but not least, make sure to check the car out with a trusted mechanic before you make a decision, regardless of the model year you choose.
Hamed is a literature student, writer, musician, and car enthusiast. His favorite topics to write about are cars, tech, and gaming. When he's not writing, he's either playing music or listening to it.