Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford Mustang owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Mustang. After refueling the vehicle, a fuel leak was discovered underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who discovered that a rubber washer in the fuel system was faulty and needed to be replaced. The washer was replaced and the failure was remedied. While driving at night, the low and high beam headlights were very dim and the driver was unable to see the road. Also, while the vehicle was parked on a incline with the emergency brake engaged, it rolled down the driveway and into the street. The cause of the failures was not determined. Estabrook Ford (3689 14th st, pascagoula, ms) and the manufacturer were notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 64,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Mustang. While the contact's daughter was placing fuel in the vehicle, she noticed fuel leaking from the fuel tank without warning. The contact managed to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.
1. There is a dreadful gas fume odor inside the car every time I put fuel in the car especially when I fill the tank. 2.the emergency brake does not work properly. When engaged my car still rolls a little. 3. The seat belts do not retract properly and tend to twist and tangle when I try to do it manually.
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. …
2 weeks after I bought the car, I had reported problems with engine and trans and rear-end. They knew about it, but said they did not have the knowledge to work on a seleen, which that is what I was told I was buying at the time. Come to find out it is no. Big difference in price. On or about feb 15th 2006 the engine blew, I had parked it in their parking lot. They had my car for a total of 45 days. Still no trans work or rear-end, they said to bring it back in 30 days. Adding on the linkage was damaged when they had it. I had to pay other shop to fix. Along with engine problems, engine light was on. Since June of 2006 my car has been in the shop 10 times , totaling 55 more days. Rental car cost over 2500.00 and time and mental anguish . Luzzi refused me the 2nd time engine blew because the fact I am married to david harding. He is not on any contract with me. …
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? …
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Mustang. While driving 30 MPH, the contact noticed that the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and the contact was informed that the filler tube needed to be replaced on the fuel system. After the vehicle was parked, she smelled gasoline on her driveway. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current mileage was 61,410 and failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 10/14/08 the consumer was told the material used for the parts that had to be replaced had rotted over time. The drivers side seatbelt was not retracting and releasing. The headlamps had to be replaced because a haze file had formed on the inside. Updated 10/16/08.
The fill tube between the fuel tank and the nozzle input has rusted thru the entire length, worst under the plastic/rubber wrap at the tank inlet, causing fuel to spill onto the ground when filling the tank. Dealer estimates repair cost at $340. On line inquiries revealed "many-many" other complaints. No Ford recalls or service bulletins. If parked for a few days , the battery runs down. Checked for head/parking/brakes lights left on as well as those inside passenger area and in trunk. None found. Mechanic believes due to radio/cd player amp draw to support clock (etc) even while off???? Installed new battery, OK for awhile, now doing it again.
I smelled strong gasoline odors while driving from work. The car had been filled with fuel recently. The fuel tank is leaking near the fill tube. Further research into this issue has shown that it is a common occurrence with this model. The car cannot be filled above half full or gasoline leaks all over the back of the car and on the ground once parked. This leak is too near the exhaust pipe for safety. Ford does not repair this safety issue under any recall. It is a cheap part but labor is very expensive since the fuel tank must be removed to replace the leak. This is a manufacturing issue and Ford should be required to repair it free of charge.
Fuel System complaints in other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2001 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2001 Ford Mustang, 14% of the model year's 249 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly › filler pipe and cap (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Mustang fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2001 Ford Mustang, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Mustang fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.