Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2003 Ford Mustang. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗ACCELERATOR PEDAL SHIELD
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (231)
231 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 231 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 57 | 24.7% |
| Power train | 31 | 13.4% |
| Seat belts | 25 | 10.8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 20 | 8.7% |
| Electrical system | 15 | 6.5% |
| Suspension | 15 | 6.5% |
| Unknown or other | 15 | 6.5% |
| Air bags | 14 | 6.1% |
| Structure | 12 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 10 | 4.3% |
How 2003 compares with other Mustang years
Best and worst Mustang years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 258 | 3 |
| 2000 | 395 | 3 |
| 2001 | 249 | 1 |
| 2002 | 166 | 0 |
| 2003 | 231 | 1 |
| 2004 | 130 | 1 |
| 2005 | 868 | 5 |
| 2006 | 575 | 5 |
| 2007 | 615 | 5 |
| 2008 | 347 | 5 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 27 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | $4,850 | 523 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2003 Mustang for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2003 Ford Mustang FAQ
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Mustang have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 06V108000 (vehicle speed control). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2003 Ford Mustang problems?
Owners filed 231 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (57), Power train (31), Seat belts (25) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2003 Ford Mustang get?
EPA rates the 3.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 17 city, 27 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2003 Mustang compare with other years?
Among the 1999–2008 Ford Mustang model years at least five years old, the 2004 drew the fewest complaints (130) and the 2005 the most (868). The 2003 drew 231. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.