Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 25% | 3,000 miles |
| 2025 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2022 | 3 | 6% | 3,000 miles |
| 2021 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2020 | 4 | 3% | 8,000 miles |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% | 27,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% | 42,000 miles |
| 2016 | 10 | 3% | 8,000 miles |
| 2015 | 14 | 3% | 40,000 miles |
| 2014 | 10 | 3% | 8,000 miles |
| 2013 | 19 | 7% | 60,000 miles |
| 2012 | 35 | 7% | 39,000 miles |
| 2011 | 39 | 8% | 43,000 miles |
| 2010 | 10 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 2009 | 22 | 12% | 45,000 miles |
| 2008 | 19 | 5% | 50,000 miles |
| 2007 | 43 | 7% | 55,000 miles |
| 2006 | 55 | 10% | 31,000 miles |
| 2005 | 66 | 8% | 40,000 miles |
| 2004 | 35 | 27% | 9,000 miles |
| 2003 | 20 | 9% | 15,000 miles |
| 2002 | 15 | 9% | 32,000 miles |
| 2001 | 16 | 6% | 50,000 miles |
| 2000 | 25 | 6% | 55,000 miles |
| 1999 | 29 | 11% | 74,000 miles |
| 1998 | 21 | 7% | 47,000 miles |
| 1997 | 7 | 3% | 74,000 miles |
| 1996 | 10 | 3% | — |
| 1995 | 13 | 2% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Std Cruise Control failure. Yes, available for inspection, test drive and failure analysis. Upon turning CC (Cruise control) on the Green Icon appears (should be Ghost Icon) AND is set at the speed limit. If below the speed limit NO speed up to "SET" speed occurs. Instead if you speed up, manually, to "SET" speed you can't go past the "SET" speed. Pressing on the accelerator has a power loss and flat lining. Speed does not increase until you go to heavy open throttle then it "TAKES OFF". Impossible to drive in Cruise control mode. Problem was presented to Gaudin Ford Dealership >>> Twice. Once on December 17th, 2024 and again on March 4th, 2025 Gaudio Ford States " NPF - No problem found normal operation at this time". Also, "unable to duplicate concern no DTC were present no tabs or scams for this concern rise with shop foremen all systems are working with spec at this time". …
2024 Ford Mustang has shown severe defects since September of 2025. Vehicle has been in and out of shop every month since first incident of vehicle going completely dead without cause or warning. Vehicle has since produced escalating engine misfires, loss of acceleration while driving on highway, and occasional antifreeze seeping through a/c vents on startup. Dash has started to glitch upon startup as well and fuel economy has dropped 7mpg in one month. Every Ford dealership I have went to for repairs, except for Town and Country Ford, has told me, "there's no issue with your vehicle". After a year of issues that are getting worse, and trying to receive answers from my Ford case manager, I went to check on any recalls myself and found there is a recall for my vehicle that has no remedy until December 21st, 2026. …
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the contact stated that after he released his foot to engage the brake pedal, the accelerator pedal was stuck and failed to stop the vehicle. The contact then stated that he had to engage the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle crashed into an electrical pole. The contact sustained an injury to the nose and a concussion. The air bags deployed. No warning lights was illuminated. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that he would receive a callback. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was transferred to the NHTSA Hotline. …
Vehicle Information: 2022 Ford Mustang Date of Incident: [redacted] Description of Safety Defect & Crash: On [redacted], this vehicle suffered a catastrophic concurrent failure of the electronic throttle control and steering systems, resulting in a violent injury crash. Prior to the incident, the vehicle was completely disabled due to electronic throttle errors, requiring us to rent a U-Haul tow dolly to physically haul the vehicle to Apple Ford in [redacted]. The dealership replaced the throttle body assembly to address a wrench/check engine light and airflow codes (DTC P050A). Exactly 30 minutes after picking up the vehicle from the dealership, while driving home at normal speed limits, the vehicle suffered a sudden, uncommanded wide-open throttle failure. The RPMs violently spiked and the supercharger engaged aggressively without driver input. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds in cruise control, the brake warning lights failed to illuminated properly. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. No dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. NHTSA campaign number: 20V573000 (service brakes, hydraulic, service brakes) was a possible solution to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,740. The VIN was not available.
The actual getrag defective and faulty manual transmission on Ford Mustang 2020 still causing serious personal safety issues nowadays. In manual transmission vehicles, downshifting gears on a reliable, effective and efficient transmission 'part', it's a serious and determining factor at the moment the driver needs to slow down safely or even stop the vehicle, especially on longer downhill roads so brake overheating and possible failure of them can be avoided or in the eventual case of towing a load... Shifting gears at also important when increasing speed is required or even expected, like at the moment a car incorporates or merge in to a freeway from the ramp and it's required to match the ongoing and specially, the oncoming vehicles or traffic, this risk increases if the oncoming vehicle is a loaded trailer to set 1 example. …
We purchased our new Mustang from hasting's Ford in greenville, nc in nov 2017 for my wife's birthday. This was our fourth Mustang and we really loved the Mustang until this purchase. On dec 13th 2017 my wife was driving in a 20 MPH zone and made a right turn at almost a stop and the accelerator suddenly sped up on its own which caused her to go up on the curb and hit a building. The car stopped and she put it in reverse and it did it again. She finally turned the car off. We had it towed to the body shop, we checked the car mat and it did not cause the problem. The body shop took it to a local Ford dealer and they checked the computer and stated that there were no codes listed. We researched and it states that it the throttle body fails that there would be no code sent. …
When pulling out of a parking lot the car accelerated to full throttle by itself. I put the brakes on as hard as I could. It had no affect on stopping the car or even slowing it down. The car went over the median and was heading eastbound in the westbound lanes of traffic. I swerved to the left to avoid hitting a commercial truck head on. Then I had to swerve to the right to avoid another car head on. The car went back over the median. The car ended up going over another curb into a field beside the freeway entrance ramp.it then went to the left hitting a freeway construction sign. After hitting the sign it caused the car to rotate 180 degrees in midair coming down onto the right front of the hood and then landing on the right side of the car.it then rolled onto the roof and continued to roll another 180 degrees landing back on its wheels resulting in a full 360 degree rotation.
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
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.
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.
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd explorer equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from May 29, 1996 through March 4, 1999; 1998-1999 explorer/mountaineers equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc or 5.0l engines or 1998-1999 rangers equipped with 2.5l, 3.0l ffv/efi or 4.0l engines and cruise control built from…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cruise control cables. At the present time, the replacement cables are not available. Customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement can be made.
NHTSA investigations
Accelerator pedal interference
Pe05-038 was opened on July 7, 2005, with 11 consumer complaints to odi alleging incidents of throttle sticking due to accelerator pedal interference with the carpet.odi has received an additional 24 complaints since the pe was opened.during pe05-038, Ford supplied complaint and warranty information regarding 86 additional incidents of accelerator pedal interference in model year 2003 to 2004 mustang cobra…
Accelerator pedal interference
On April 3, 2006, Ford motor company submitted a defect information report to NHTSA concerning a defect condition that could result in interference between the accelerator pedal and floor carpeting in approximately 19,140 model year 2003 and 2004 mustang cobra vehicles (Ford recall no.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Mustang years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (66), 2006 (55), 2007 (43), 2011 (39) and 2004 (35) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Ford Mustang acceleration problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 06V-108 (accelerator pedal, Apr 7, 2006); 99V062001 (vehicle speed control, Mar 30, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Mustang acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles; 61% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (74 mentions), followed by the cruise control (24).
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.