Ford Mustang Body Problems

Owners have filed 534 complaints about body & structure problems with the Ford Mustang — 6% of all Mustang complaints. The worst model years are 2005 (64), 2007 (51) and 2006 (50). Problems typically start around 42,000 miles. One related recall has been issued.

534complaints
2005worst year
42ktypical miles
1related recalls
31crashes
7fires

Body complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2621107992112121246450511561710238174528411596156
Body complaints per model year, Ford Mustang.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
202467%0 miles
2022510%100,000 miles
202112%—
202065%86,000 miles
201996%3,000 miles
2018158%45,000 miles
20174115%48,000 miles
2016287%50,000 miles
20154510%33,000 miles
2014175%22,000 miles
201383%25,000 miles
2012235%37,000 miles
2011102%45,000 miles
2010177%50,000 miles
200963%43,000 miles
2008154%38,000 miles
2007518%38,000 miles
2006509%52,000 miles
2005647%40,000 miles
200443%2,000 miles
2003125%46,000 miles
2002127%96,000 miles
2001125%48,000 miles
2000215%35,000 miles
199993%—
199893%85,000 miles
199773%97,000 miles
1996103%—
1995213%65,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Body
    321
  • Body › Door
    30
  • Body › Hood
    21
  • Body › Roof and pillars
    19
  • Frame and members
    16
  • Body › Trunk lid
    10
  • Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
    7
  • Body › Bumpers
    4

Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    10934%
  • 25k–50k
    8627%
  • 50k–75k
    6621%
  • 75k–100k
    3912%
  • 100k–150k
    134%
  • 150k+
    41%

What owners report

This is a 2024 Mustang convertible that I purchased from Autonation in Panama City and the back window was not properly installed and is now shaking and allowing water into the car. There is a major problem with the car disabling ABS as well and ive taken it to the dealership for both of these issues twice. The brakes did not function correctly when I was dropping off at school and I tapped the parents car in front of me. I went to autonation with my concern and even called FORD to file a complaint and neither of the companies took it seriously. Had I known this car was gonna be a problem and even more difficult to fix (Autonation doesnt work on convertible tops and has given me the run around about finding someone to fix the top) I would have kept my older convertible. I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR TO ENSURE EVERYTHING WAS PROTECTED.

2024 Mustang · Body · May 2024 · crash

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, gravel, rocks, and debris became trapped in the square holes in the inner wheel well. The contact noticed that the wheel well liner and under carriage were corroded. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 350.

2024 Mustang · Body · 0 miles · Oct 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the convertible roof failed to latch and close properly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the handle failed to connect with the latching system. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine a fix for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided a claim number and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 761.

2022 Mustang · Body › Roof and pillars · 1,000 miles · Apr 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the convertible top required excessive force to be opened or closed. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

2022 Mustang · 100,000 miles · Mar 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the trunk wing spoiler detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was advised that the trunk and the wing spoiler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. In addition, the contact stated that during a previous failure, the trunk and the wing spoiler were both replaced. The first two failure occurrence and the trunk and the wing spoiler, were both repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

2020 Mustang · Body · 5,000 miles · Jul 2021

This vehicle has been in an accident with damage exceeded $5000.00 (I have a Ford Dealerships estimate to prove damage on the vehicle has not been eepaired nor reported) Again, substantial, front drivers side, hood, wheel, breakline, door and underbody damage occurred to this vehicle. It was never reported to Carfax nor any online reporting agency. This vehicle is being resold with a 'clean' carfax because damage has never been reported.

2020 Mustang · Body · Oct 2020 · crash

While driving on highways, passenger door will suddenly partially unlatch and open door warning tone and advisory displays on the dash. I must pull over in order to open and reclose the door. First event was several months ago and I assumed it was an isolated event. It has increased in frequency to at least once a week. The door is closed and locked yet it comes partially unlatched and seems to only occur at highway speeds between 60mph and 75mph. Highly distracting when driving on interstate highway and I am unsure if it comes unlatched all the way since I have not had a passenger when this occurs. Poses safety hazard both as distraction and unsafe door lock.

2019 Mustang · Body · Jul 2021

On several occasions, the passenger door becomes unlatched while driving. Sometimes multiple times in one commute. The door doesn't fully open, but certainly allows for wind noise and "DOOR AJAR" display to go off with audible alarms. Also, the passenger window's auto/short drop feature isn't working and the window does not go back up fully, allowing water, insects, and other hazards to enter the cabin of the vehicle. It seems to be an electrical issue, as unplugging the battery with the door open as the window is rolling down automatically will TEMPORARILY fix the issue. But, as soon as the door is opened, or the window is lowered, the issue reappears.

2019 Mustang · Body · Aug 2021

Related recalls (1)

Structure › Body › Hood

NHTSA recall 97V-180 · Oct 20, 1997 · 769,000 vehicles

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and Mini vans. Tearing of the bond between the inner and outer hood panels during minor front end collisions can result in a gap at the leading edge of the hood. Air forced between the inner and outer panels can produce enough pressure to force the outer panel upward.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the hood area for any damage along the leading edge of the hood. If there is any evidence of bond separation, the hood will be replaced.

NHTSA investigations

Outer hood panel detachment

NHTSA investigation PE97011 · opened Mar 13, 1997 · closed Sep 30, 1997

The office of defects investigation has received 6 reports indicating the outer hood panel separated from the vehicles as they were being driven.Ford has provide 39 additional reports that are consistent with odi reports.Ford indicates that the likely cause is prior collision damage.this investigation is being upgraded to further study this issue.

Outer hood panel detachment

NHTSA investigation EA97018 · opened Sep 30, 1997 · closed Oct 22, 1997 · led to recall 97V-180

There is no summary currently available

Frequently asked questions

Which Ford Mustang years have body problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (64), 2007 (51), 2006 (50), 2015 (45) and 2017 (41) model years. Body complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 2005.

Is there a recall for Ford Mustang body problems?

Yes — 1 recall, including 97V-180 (hood, Oct 20, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Ford Mustang body problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles; 62% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the body (321 mentions), followed by the body › door (30).

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.