FORD MUSTANG GT · model year

2001 FORD MUSTANG GT

78 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001FORDMUSTANG GT carries 78 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 0 fires, 23 injuries, and 7 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 MUSTANG GT is engine and engine cooling:engine with 6 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline (6) and engine and engine cooling (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2001 MUSTANG GT, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

78
Complaints
14
Crashes
0
Fires
23
Injuries
7
Deaths

Total Complaints

78 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
STEERING4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS3
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP3
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS2
SUSPENSION2
AIR BAGS2

Recent Complaints

20180512FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WAS LOSING A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL EVERY TIME I FILLED UP. THE LEAK STARTS IMMEDIATELY UPON TURNING ON THE FUEL NOZZLE. I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING A CHECK FUEL CAP WARNING AND A LOW PRESSURE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS HAS CAUSED THE CAR TO NOT START AND SEVERAL BACKFIRES WHEN IT DOES TURN OVER. THERE IS ALSO FUEL LEAKING DIRECTLY ONTO MY EXHAUST PIPE AT EVERY FILL UP WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THIS LEAK WAS CAUSED BY THE PLASTIC COVER OVER THE METAL FILLER NECK. MOISTURE AND DIRT CAUGHT IN THE PLASTIC CAUSED THE METAL TO ERODE AND BREAK A PART.

Mileage: 70,000

20140515ENGINE

DRIVING ON FREEWAY SUDDENLY CAR GOT HOT SO I SLOWED DOWN GOT INTO SLOW LANE THEN SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART ENGINE SEIZED. *TR

Mileage: 155,000

20140515VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DRIVING ON FREEWAY SUDDENLY CAR GOT HOT SO I SLOWED DOWN GOT INTO SLOW LANE THEN SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART ENGINE SEIZED. *TR

Mileage: 155,000

20140515ENGINE

WHILE ON FREEWAY CAR STARTED SMOKING SO I EXITED FREEWAY WHEN CAR STALLED AND WOULDN'T RESTART. HAD TO TOW BACK TO CAR LOT WHERE I PURCHASED CAR 3 DAYS PRIOR. PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD A CRACK. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

20131016SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELT ON PASSENGER SIDE ALWAYS RETRACTED SLUGGISHLY SINCE NEW, OFTEN JUST HANGING LOOSELY FROM THE UPPER HANGER. THEN IT WOULD RETRACT WITH HELP. FINALLY IT JAMMED AND WILL NOT RELEASE IN ORDER TO CONNECT THE BELT FOR USE. WHEN AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO USE THE BELT, I HEAR A METALLIC CLUNK AND THE BELT WILL NOT COME OUT FAR ENOUGH TO USE. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

20120326ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE SPARK PLUGS SHOT OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

20120210ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I JUST HAD TO PAY APPROX $700 TO REPLACE MY INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH CRACKED AND CAUSED A COOLANT LEAK. UPON FIXING THIS ISSUE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A FORD RECALL A FEW YEARS AGO. SEEING AS THIS PART HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED ON MY VEHICLE, I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS RECALL AND WHAT CAN BE DONE. *TR

Mileage: 107,781

20111206ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPARK PLUG EXPLODED OUT OF THE ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 69,000

20111017ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

S # 1 SPARKPLUG EJECTED FROM HEAD UPON ENGINE START-UP. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

20110510FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL NECK OF 2001 MUSTANG GT RUSTED THROUGH BENEATH A PLASTIC BLACK SHEET POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF ROAD SALT BUILD UP. THIS LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE AND EMISSION CODE FAILURE DUE TO LOW TANK PRESSURE. THE FUEL NECK AND FUEL NECK GASKET WERE CHANGED. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20110105FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

ENGINE IDLES ABOUT 3000 RPM AT START UP UNTIL ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. *TR

Mileage: 25,373

20110105ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE IDLES ABOUT 3000 RPM AT START UP UNTIL ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. *TR

Mileage: 25,373

20101023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

A LOUD FOG HORN SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. RAISED RPM HELPED TO REDUCE OR STOP NOISE. THE ABS LIGHT (AMBER) COMES ON AND DISENGAGES THE TRACTION LOC FOR THE REAR END (DRIVE WHEELS). OVER A PERIOD OF APPROX. 1 MONTH THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON WITH TRACLOC DISENGAGED. I GOT THE SYSTEM CHECKED AND THEY STATED NO ELECTRIC SIGNAL IS COMING OUT OF THE CONTROL MODULE BUT POWER IS GOING IN. I WAS TOLD FOR A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS I SHOULD TAKE IT TO FORD BECAUSE THERE ARE 2 ITEMS THAT COULD BE REPLACED AND IT COULD BE $2600.00 OR MORE. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

20100713FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL PUMP BREAKS FREE FROM IN-TANK ATTACHMENT POINT RESULTING IN FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR MALFUNCTION AND FUEL STARVATION WHEN CORNING, ACCELERATION OR ABRUPT DECELERATION. CAUSES UNEXPECTED LAG IN ACCELERATION OR VEHICLE MAY STALL AT INOPPORTUNE TIMES. SINCE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY BY FORD THE FUEL SENDER IN THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED/REPLACED 2 ADDITIONAL TIMES. DEALERSHIP NOTED THAT THE PLASTIC RING SENDER ATTACHES TO CRACKS AND ONLY WAY TO REPAIR IS TO REPLACE ENTIRE FUEL TANK AT COST OF APPROX $900. MOST RECENT 2 REPLACEMENTS OCCURRED OUTSIDE OF EXTENDED WARRANTY BY A FEW DAYS AND FORD REFUSED TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED OVER THE WINTER AND ISSUE WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL VEHICLE CAME OUT OF STORAGE AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. REPAIR HAD OCCURRED IN FALL BEFORE VEHICLE WENT INTO STORAGE. EACH TIME FUEL TANK IS REPLACE RING CRACKS AGAIN, USUALLY WITHIN 30-90DAYS. THIS IS A HAZARD AS IT IS IMP

Mileage: 1,000

20100317ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

20100316SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, WHEN THE CONTACT OBSERVED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR SYSTEM FAILED TO EXTRACT THE WEBBING PROPERLY. THE WEBBING DOES NOT SECURE THE OCCUPANT TIGHTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO BROKEN PLASTIC PARTS WITHIN THE RETRACTOR SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Mileage: 57,000

20091017FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SINCE IT HAS GOTTEN COLDER, THE CAR START AND YOU HAVE TO SIT WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL FOR 5 OR 10 MINS OR THE CAR WILL STALL OUT WHEN YOU TRY TO PUT OUT OF WHERE EVER YOU ARE. DANGEROUS! MECHANIC CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM, THEY THINK ITS A SENSOR BUT ARE NOT SURE. *TR

20081108SEAT BELTS

DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT KEEPS TANGLING WITHIN THE TRIM PANELS PREVENTING PROPER DEPLOYMENT OR RETRACTION OF THE BELT. I HAD TO REMOVE THE TRIM PANELS AND MANUALLY TWIST THE BELT THROUGH THE B POST GUIDE TO STRAIGHTEN, AS WELL UNDOING AND REDOING THE ANCHOR BOLTS ON THE B POST AND DRIVER LOWER DOOR SILL SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. *TR

Mileage: 51,000

20081016FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WHEN I FILLED MY CAR WITH GAS IT STARTED TO OVERFLOW OUT OF THE TOP THROUGH THE GAS CAP AREA AND POUR OUT OF THE BOTTOM. I HAD MY FATHER CHECK IT ABOUT AN HOUR LATER WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND HE COULDN'T FIND A LEAK. WE DETERMINED THE AUTOMATIC STOP ON THE PUMP MUST HAVE FAILED. I WENT TO PUT $20 OF GAS IN IT TWO DAYS AGO AND ONCE AGAIN IT WAS POURING OUT OF THE BOTTOM. SINCE I DIDN'T FILL IT UP THIS TIME, I KNEW IT HAD TO BE MY CAR AND NOT THE PUMP. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE DETERMINED THE FUEL FILLER HOSE HAS RUSTED THROUGH ALL THE WAY TO THE PLASTIC COVER AROUND IT. HE TOLD ME MY CAR IS SAFE TO BE DRIVEN BUT NOT TO PUT GAS IN. I'VE ORDERED THE $184 PART TO REPAIR IT AND AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR IT TO COME IN TO THE DEALER. I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS INCIDENT BUT NO OFFICIAL RECALLS BY FORD. DID I MISS SOMETHING SOMEWHERE? IT SEEMS TO ME IF THERE ARE THAT MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR PART OF THE CAR, FORD WOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 93,600

20080829ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG GT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE IDLED ROUGHLY, OVERHEATED, AND HESITATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CROSSOVER CHANNEL. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A FORD SAFETY CAMPAIGN THAT PERTAINED TO THE FAILURES HE WAS EXPERIENCING. HOWEVER, THE STIPULATION OF THE SAFETY CAMPAIGN STATE THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE WITHIN SEVEN YEARS OF THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE DATE. THE VEHICLE EXCEEDS THIS STIPULATION BY SIX WEEKS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

Mileage: 125,000

Compare 2001FORDMUSTANG GT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 FORD MUSTANG GT have?
The 2001 FORD MUSTANG GT has 78 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 0 fires, 23 injuries, and 7 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 FORD MUSTANG GT?
The most-complained component for the 2001 FORD MUSTANG GT is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 2001 FORD MUSTANG GT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.