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 2005 Ford Mustang owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Filling gas tank is a nightmare, the first batch of the newly remodeled vehicle. When filling it it'll pump for 3 seconds and then click off and shoot gas out because it thinks it's full so you have to click it on the lowest possible setting. It's a 16 gallon tank and if it's completely empty the first eight gallons will pump fine anything over that because of the way the tank is shaped is where the airlock is and that's when you can barely touch the gas lever before it clicks off and shoots gas up It takes me 20 minutes to fill up so anything before the half a tank mark will fill normally but once it's over half a tank is when the problem arises. From all of the forums that I've looked at for this new remodeled 2005 year this was a common problem and the mustangs built for the first 6 months and judging by the belt date mine was in March so far well within the first 6 months. …
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to fuel the vehicle, the fuel tank was unable to be fully fueled. The contact stated that either the nozzle would shut off prematurely or gasoline would be prevented from flowing into the fuel tank. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent, but by late 2024, the fuel tank could no longer be filled, and the vehicle was placed in storage. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer prior to being placed in storage, and the contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of Technical Service Bulletin Number: 05-15012; however, the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. …
Ford did issue a recall for several issues for my car, including but not limited to, problems when filling gas tank with evaporative purge system as well as cavitation of the fuel pump in high heat conditions, the doors not closing all the way or handles remaining open( not flush with rest of door) when door is shut, driver's side door trim/bezel around power window switch making buzzing sounds when stereo is in use, as well as ticking sounds coming from motor during operation and various creaks and sounds from front suspension when cornering and going over uneven terrain, and the transmission, the 5r55s, has the known hard shift into gear caused by bad servo. …
while driving home just as I was switching lanes, the car sputtered badly and a wrench light appeared on dash. Since then, the car did not exceed 20 miles per hour. as I conducted research, a lot of mustangs have this issue and it is theorized to be the throttle body.
None of the gauges work. I have to drive pacing myself with other vehicles. Only the icon for gas needed comes on when the gas is low. Starting after about 10,000 miles on the car I have had increasing problems getting fuel in the car. Not just myself, but anyone that tries to fuel the car. I initially started holding the fuel nozzle upside down to get gas and that worked for a few years. (although you look like a dumb ass that doesn't know how to put gas in a car!) this last year it has gotten so bad that I am lucky to get 2 gallons in it, and that is with it repeatedly shutting off. Since day one the right front wheel makes a grinding/clunking noise when I turn the tire in either direction. It makes me feel like the wheel will fall off. My cars body assembly is also crap. The front lower grill has popped off and disappeared. …
I purchased my 2005 Ford Mustang v6 automatic transmission in July of 2016. At the time of purchase everything seemed to be working fine but about a month later I noticed the fuel gauge was sitting at e so I attempted to fill it thinking I had an empty tank which meant I should have been able to put 14-16 gallons in and as I was refueling I noticed it kept shutting off even though I had just started the pump eventually I got it filled and only put in about 6 gallons which I thought was odd but I went with it and got back in my car started it up and noticed that the gauge was still sitting at e at that point I knew something was wrong but I figured it could wait since I knew how far I could potentially go on a full tank but then after I left and headed for home I noticed that my speedometer said I was going 60 but everyone was blowing past me at least 10mph faster when the speed limit …
I was driving at night at around 30mph when everything electrical went dead in my car including headlights and dashboard but the engine was still running. I was able to drive the car home but could not start it the next morning. Had to flat bed it to the dealership where they told me the whole computer system failed and had to be replaced. This happened 3 more time since then. Each time I was charged $3000 to have it replaced. It shouldn't happen once let alone 3 times. Another recent problem, my engine caught fire causing everything on the left side of my car to be replaced. Ford denied any "real problems they could find". Also had my gas tank replaced twice because it wouldn't fill up. And to add to everything, my gearshift needs to be replaced because a little plastic piece that hides the holes when u shift up or down, broke. $600 estimate at Ford. …
Over time, the vehicle gas tank has developed a condition where filling up the tank prematurely causes the gas pump to shut off prior to the tank being full of gas. Typically after only a few seconds. If you try to engage the pump again, a buildup of pressure can cause gasoline to shoot back out of the tank and all over the ground and the person pumping gas. The only way around this is to fill the tank with the nozzle upside down. Somehow this disengages whatever safety mechanism the gas pump has, and allows the user to pump a full tank of gas. Ford even has a TSB related to this issue. It states something to the point of a design flaw in the gas tank. It's only remedy is to replace the tank, or they literally suggest going to a different gas station. Some pumps are different and that used to work, but at this point there is not pump that I do not encounter this issue with.
Takata recalls: bought car at damerow Ford in beaverton or under the contingency that a 100 point check was done on the 2005 Ford Mustang gt that I am writing about. As I drive cqr off lot I notice gas gauge is stuck on half a tank. I call them about it and their service department after finding out there is a recall.. And they have not returned my calls. This was in August 2017. Now it is January 2018 and the check engine light is on and I take car in to a trusted mechanic and they say I have a leak near my fuel pump. I look this up and it is again a recalled item for this year and make. I again call Ford. No one returns my call. So I had to out of pocket to have this fixed. Please help.
Takata recall as well as problems filling the gas tank. While stationary trying to pump gas in to the gas tank the gas pump will shut off after pumping no ore than 1/16 of a tank then requiring you to dribble gas in to the tank with the pump regularly shutting off every few seconds and never filling the tank with out the pump shutting off completely, and this happens at all pumps in every state and every brand of gas. Once you pump as much gas as the pump will allow you have to hold te throttle pedal down to the floor to get the car to start and then you have to feather the pedal to keep the engine running which causes the engine to race and is very dangerous.
Fuel System complaints in other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2005 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA has 120 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2005 Ford Mustang, 14% of the model year's 868 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Mustang fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 45% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 2 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.