Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Ford Mustang owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have done all my airbag recalls and the light came on a few months ago and is steady flashing. Called Cresent Ford in High Pint and they looked up my VIN and my car replacement history. They told me it had been replaced but it was still under warranty and to make an appointment to have it looked at. Made an appointment, which I may add I had to take the day off and drive 40 mins one way, I was told by [redacted] that I had to pay for a diagnostic test because it may not be the airbag and they refused to look at the car until I paid for a diagnostic test. I continue to receive airbag notices and if I was told on the phone this was under warranty. If there are problems in the past with airbags and in the future, we have problems why should this not be covered and looked at by Ford at cost to them to run a diagnostic test. This is absurd. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Mustang. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal was engaged and the vehicle failed to stop. The driver had to engage the emergency brake; however, the driver crashed into a parked vehicle. The driver sustained injuries to the back and the passenger sustained injuries to the body. A police report was not filed and medical attention was not received. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage and VIN were not available.
1. Water leak in passenger side kick panel, has shorted Smart junction box, now traction control does not work (caused the rear wheels to spin out on wet pavement at 35 MPH and lost control of the vehicle, hit a curb and bent 3 rims and under carriage damage) and has caused other safety related problems while driving. With A/C on, car idle will drop and sometimes stall out, causing a loss of steering and brakes (very safety related). Ford knew of water leak issue when vehicle was manufactured, they put a little plastic cover over sjb computer to deflect leaking water inside passenger compartment on passenger side behind kick panel near door hinge. No dealer will repair the issue without buying a new sjb and programming for over $600. 2. Also rear brakes stick after using emergency brake. This is in a warm climate, not cold climate. …
The car was coasting and then just completely turned off reducing steering and braking ability at least 50% until I could come to a complete stop, turn off the ignition, then restart it again. Since then this has happened at least 5 times, 4 in the last week! My totally trustworthy mechanic did a diagnostic test and found no failures besides the fact that the fuel gauge hasn't worked in years, the speedometer doesn't always tell me the speed, the gas tank shuts off before filling up, the head lights and interior lights have stayed on after turning off the car and hasn't turned off after it's rained. The RPM seems to be the problem for why the engine turns off when they are too low. There used to be a jerky problem during acceleration when the car would shoot forward then back off a couple times before returning to a more steady acceleration. …
Freezing temperatures and snow LED me to use the parking brake on hill overnight. The next morning the rear brakes did not disengage despite releasing the e brake handle which turned off the sensor. I did not attribute the difficulty of the drive to the brakes as there was lots of snow in the parking lot and the light sensor was off. The car was driven half mile, and when I parked, I was inspecting the rotors, the temperature of which immediately burnt a hole in my winter glove. I called the dealer to ask about problem and they seemed like it was the first time they have heard about it, but there are numerous online posts relating to the same issue. Has not yet been fixed, as I am in process of trying to figure out if this is a problem the dealer should cover, or if I am going to have to pay for it out of pocket. …
Right brake sticks causing rotors and pads to heat up and catch on fire. The dealer replaced the pads and rotors and I had to pay for it. The problem still there. I have also read forums online where other owners have had the brake catch fire due to it catching. The mechanic at the dealer admitted that the caliper was not working right, but dealer refused to replace it. My dealer will not fix problem or ever look at the rotor that is already torn up and over heater again after only 2 days of driving. I don't know if anyone else has been injured or killed, but I am sure if this is not looked into someone will be soon. I am not the only owner that is having this problem. Dealer tried to claim we drove with e-brake on. It was not on. Vehicle pulled to the right as if it was a alignment problem. When I stopped there was smoke coming from the right rear brake. …
My dates and mileage May be off. I purchased my Mustang used at a local dealership with the warranty and extended warranty and about two months later my back wheels locked up on me. I pulled into the Ford company and they took a look at it and unlocked the wheels charging me $70 saying it was not covered under the warranty. I was told by the tech that the emergency brake cable had froze up causing the tires to lock up. I was told that this was not covered by the warranty and it would cost by close to $600 to fix. The gentleman told me at that time to file a complaint with Ford because it should be a recall. I did file that complaint back then and nothing ever became of it. I never had it fixed because I do not have $600 and therefore I do not use my e-brake which is dangerous! I have done some research and have found that others have the same issue with there car. …
I was driving my 2005 Ford Mustang gt coupe northbound on a 35-MPH city street. I was preparing to turn into a business driveway. While attempting to brake into the turn the (ABS) light lit up on the dash console as well as ''check trac control'' on the heads up display. In that very instant the brakes became ''light and mushy'' causing the vehicle to lose traction while turning. The end result of this was that the vehicle struck the curb inside the driveway entrance. The driver''s front tire hit the curb with a solid impact. This caused serious damage to the rim, tire, front axle, and probably some other underlying damage that is yet to be determined. Fortunately no one was injured, but if this had happened on the highway some one May have been killed. I do not if this is an isolated incident but I thought I would make some one aware just in case.
Dt: contact stated that there was a small amount of brake fluid that was leaking from the cap on the master cylinder. The service dealer replaced the cap on the master cylinder to remedy the problem. This did not stop the brake fluid from leaking. The concern was that the brake fluid was leaking onto the structure of the vehicle. Over time, this May cause excessive corrosion on the structure of the vehicle. The service advisor stated that this was normal for this model. Another complaint the contact stated t was that he power driven seat made a creaking noise. The dealer would adjust the seat to keep it from creaking. The concern was that if he has to adjust the seat while driving it May cause the contact to become distracted and could result in an accident.
Water leak in passenger side kick panel Ford knew of water leak issue when vehicle was manufactured. I had about an inch of water on my passenger floorboard after a storm. Also rear brakes stick after using emergency brake. If I ever have to use my e-brake in an emergency the rear wheels will lock up and be even more of a hazard and danger. Both these issues are very safety related. Searching the internet you will find literally hundreds if not thousands of complaints about this water leak and e-brake damage issue. Please do something about this. I am currently thinking of suing Ford for the water leak and the fact that the technician at the dealership admitted this is a known Ford problem but not enough people have complained for them to care...
Brake complaints in other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Ford Mustang, 6% of the model year's 868 complaints. The component named most often is conventional › mechanical › linkage and cable (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Mustang brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2005 Ford Mustang, though it has 5 recalls 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 2005 Ford Mustang brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes 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.