Skip to content
KLUNK
KLUNK

2002 Ford Mustang

The Verdict

52 Proceed with Caution

The 2002 Ford Mustang has 211 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (77 complaints) and engine (61 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 52/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Ford Mustang, consider the 2025 model year which has 94% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 94% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Ford Mustang dashboard →

52

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2002 Ford Mustang. No spam, no marketing.

Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000169639210243
20019327608218
20027713386122
200310611367837
2004781116187
20051184551616224
2006105253189128
2007142193694930
200848112421129
200927413766
20104281821611
2011701413268182
201283716051162
20133651533243
201450122362424
2015175441037834
201616215769222
20171606383817
2018544266535
2019364275519
20203215242716
20211655227
20222326161
20241763593
202570401

By Category

Body
77
Engine
61
Electrical
38
Transmission
22
Brakes
13

By Severity

1
80
2
93
3
3
4
35

Worst Problems

Complaints

Brakes 1

On or about 01/28/2023 I purchased a 2002 Ford Mustang GT for a N.J. used car dealer. I was assured by the sales person that the Mustang had been thoroughly inspected and there were no mechanical problems whatsoever. Upon delivery of the Mustang, that had only 68,886 miles, I took the Mustang for a required Virginia Safety Inspection and learned that the front brakes were completely worn out and must be replaced. I had a complete front brake job done, to include: new brake pads, rotors, calipers and hoses. The front brake job cost $637.17. Mula Auto Group 117 E Main St Somerville, NJ 08876 mulaautogroup.com (908) 231-1777 - Main (908) 231-1799 - Fax On Mon, Mar 13, 2023 at 5:19 PM [XXX] wrote: Dear sir: On or about 01/28/2023, I purchased a 2002 Mustang GT from Mulaj Auto. Before I purchased the car from [XXX], he told me there were no mechanical problems whatsoever and the car had been inspected. It took almost three weeks for me to get the Mustang transported from New Jersey to Virginia. After the Mustang arrived on February 13, 2023, I was away for two weeks and did not drive the car until early March. I recently had a Virginia state safety inspection done and the Mustang barely passed inspection because of the badly worn front brakes. Both pads were worn to minimum limits, both rotors were badly grooved and the left caliper was seized. I just had the front brake work done today, for a total of $637.17. Invoice #[XXX] is attached. If I had been told the Mustang needed front brakes, I would not have bought the car. There is no doubt that Mulaj Auto should have advised me of the bad front brakes. Because Mulaj Auto failed to do so, I think you'll agree that Mulaj Auto should compensate me for the front brake job. Your assistance with this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

40mo ago
Engine 2

No

57mo ago
Engine 2

THE FUEL PUMP IN MY 2002 3.8L MUSTANG STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I LOWERED THE GAS TANK TO REPLACE IT, I FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC PART THE FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT SETS DOWN INTO IS OFFSET FROM THE HOLE AND THE FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT CAN NOT BE REMOVED WITHOUT BREAKING THE PART THAT IT SETS DOWN INTO. SO NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO REPLACE THE PUMP, I HAVE TO BUY AN ENTIRE GAS TANK SINCE THAT PART COMES PRE-INSTALLED

64mo ago
Engine 2

WHILE IDLING MY CAR SUDDENLY HAD CYLINDER #3 MISFIRE AND THE SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD.

67mo ago
Electrical 3

TEN MINUTES PRIOR TO AIR BAGS DEPLOYING I COMPLAINED TO MY TWO PASSENGERS THAT MY EYES WERE BURNING. I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE IN CENTER LANE IN CITY TRAFFIC, WHEN I HEAR A LOUD BANG AND INSTANTLY BOTH AIRBAGS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. THE NOISE AND FORCE STARTLED ME TAKING MY FOOT OF BRAKE AND ROLLING FORWARD. THE AIR BAGS BLEW BOTH MY PASSENGER AND MY GLASSES INTO THE BACK SEAT OF CAR. THE PASSENGER BAG WAS SMOKING BADLY AND I QUICKLY PUT DOWN BOTH WINDOWS AND I PULLED OFF STREET INTO SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHOM I ROLLED INTO PULLED OVER AS WELL. WE CHECKED BOTH THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND REAR BUMPER OF HER CAR AND BECAUSE NO VISIBLE DAMAGE. I TOOK A PICTURE OF HER BUMPER AND LICENSE PLATE TO SHOW NO DAMAGE. MY PASSENGER IN FRONT SEAT WAS BRUISED FROM AIRBAG AS FOR MYSELF AND THE OTHER PASSENGER WE WERE SHAKEN BY THE EXPERIENCE.

81mo ago
Electrical 4

WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON A IN TOWN ROAD SHE CAME UPON CONSTRUCTION, ALL TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED BECAUSE THE 2 LANES WERE DOWN TO 1. AS SHE WAS WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO START MOVING HER BOOT GOT CAUGHT UNDER SEAT LEVER (THIGH HIGH BOOTS FLAP GOT CAUGHT) AND IT MADE HER FOOT SLIP FROM BRAKE, SHE THEN BUMPED INTO THE VAN IN FRONT OF HER, LESS THEN 5MPH AND BOTH WHICH THERE WAS NO PASSENGER OR ANYTHING ON HER SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DESTROYING HER COLUME. ABSOLUTELY NO FRONT END DAMAGE, NO DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE, CAR STILL RUNS AND SEATBELTS STILL WORK. HAVING IT CHECKED FOR MALFUNCTIONS.

88mo ago
Brakes 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND, AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

99mo ago
Body 4

I RECENTLY WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE LATE AFTER WORK ON INTERSTATE 10 AT 60 MPH WHEN I WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL , HIT A GUARD RAIL AND THROWN INTO ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AS STATED IN POLICE REPORT. BOTH FRONT AND REAR OF THE CAR SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE HOWEVER NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING FACIAL TRAUMA SEATBELTS FAILED, AS IT DID NOT HOLD MY 100 LB BODY IN PLACE.CAUSING INJURY. FROM BEING THROWN ALL OVER THE CAR CAUSING LOSS OF CONCIOUSNOUS. BACK DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AND HUB WAS TORN OFF FROM IMPACT AND AXLE WAS BROKE. CAR HAD 96 K MILES AND WELL MAINTAINED.AND CARED FOR. HOWEVER THIS CAR HAS FAULTY AIRBAGS, SEATBELTS, AMONG OTHER ISSUES THAT CA RESULT IN A HUMAN LIFE!

103mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

114mo ago
Engine 1

BLEW SPARK PLUG OUT.

118mo ago
Body 1

THE ABS ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON. IT CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. THERE HAS BEEN NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKING OR ANY ACCIDENT SINCE THIS OCCURRED ABOUT JUNE 2016. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED BY FORD, SINCE THIS COULD BE A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

121mo ago
Electrical 2

HEADLIGHT

125mo ago
Brakes 2

FORD MOTOR COMPANY DISCONTINUED THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE ANTI-LOCK PUMP UNIT (ABS PUMP) OF THEIR CLASSIC CAR FORD MUSTANG FOR THE YEARS 1999 TO 2004. IT IS A PART THAT SERVES THE CAR'S SAFETY SYSTEM BEING AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. THIS IS AN UNWISE DECISION THAT ENDANGERS THE LIFE OF 1999-2004 MUSTANG OWNERS AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. ACCORDING TO WWW.WIKIPEDIA.ORG A TOTAL OF 947,667 MUSTANGS WERE SOLD ON THE REFERENCE YEARS, THE MAJORITY IS STILL ON THE ROAD. IT IS UNCLEAR IF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS DISCONTINUED ALSO.

129mo ago
Engine 2

WHILE IN DRIVE, WITH THE CAR STOPPED, THE CAR TRIES TO SURGE FORWARD BY ITSELF. YOU HAVE TO BE WEARY THAT YOU KEEP ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE OR THE CAR WILL BURST FORWARD.

135mo ago
Engine 1

I HAD JUST FINISHED FUELING UP MY CAR AND WHEN I GOT IN TO START IT UP I HEARD A POP AND HISSING SOUND.... WHEN I CHECKED IT HAD BLOWN ANOTHER SPARK PLUG AND COIL OUT OF CYLINDER 7.... IT BLEW ONE OUT OF CYLINDER 8 AND I HAD IT FIXED NOW CYLINDER 7 DID IT.... ITS OBVIOUSLY COMMON FOR THE 4.6 MOTOR TO DO THIS AND I DON'T FIND IT RIGHT THAT US OWNERS HAVE TO CONSTANTLY FIX THESE PROBLEMS WHEN ITS FORD'S FAULT FOR MAKING THIS MOTOR. *TR

138mo ago
Electrical 2

I HAVE REPLACED DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS 2 TIME AND THEY NEED IT AGAIN THEY STOP RETRACTING. MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT WORK IT THE SUN SHINES ON THAT SIDE OF CAR. HEADLIGHTS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE SO FOGGY YOU COULDN'T SEE WHEN LIGHTS WERE ON. *TR

141mo ago
Brakes 4

THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING AT THE SAME SPEED. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ANCHORED THE BRAKES. I WAS 3 CAR LENGTH BEHIND. TH ABS FAILED AND DID NOT ALLOW THE BRAKES TO RESUME. WE HIT THE BACK END OF THE CAR IN FRONT AT 35MPH. THE PASSENGER SEATBELT BROKE ENDING MY FIANCE HEAD INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE TOYOTA DID NOT HAVE A SCRATCH: MYSELF AND MY GIRL ARE BOTH INJURED. I PURCHASED THIS CAR 5/14. I BELIEVE THERE MAY NOT BE AIRBAGS AND I ALSO THINK THIS CAR ESCAPED HAVING TO HAVE A SALVAGE TITLE. WE ARE UPSET TO SAY THE LEAST. AS IT IS ONE THING BUT TO PUT A CONSUMERS LIFE AT RISK IS ANOTHER. THIS IS THE SECOND CAR FROM THIS DEALER SINCE MARCH 2014 THAT WE HAD BEEN GIVEN A DEATH TRAP. *TR

142mo ago
Engine 1

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF HEAD AND THERE'S A KNOCK COMING FROM THE BLOCK. *TR

142mo ago
Engine 4

MY WIFE WAS PULLING IN TO THE DRIVE WAY ON HER WAY FROM DOING SOME ERRANDS A DRIVE OF LESS THAN 5 MILES AND ITS A RURAL ROAD WHERE YOU CANT DRIVE MORE THAN 30 MILES AN HOUR WHEN SHE SMELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. SHE CHECKED THE GAUGES AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE AND THEN SAW SMOKE COMING OFF THE HOOD. SHE ONLY HAD TIME TO PARK THE CAR AND GET OFF AS THE WHOLE ENGINE BAY GOT ENGULFED IN FLAMES.THE FIRE FIGHTERS ARRIVED AND WERE ABLE TO CONTROL THE FIRE FROM SPREADING BUT THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. *TR

146mo ago
Engine 4

1 - ENGINE MAKES HORRIBLE SOUND IN COLD WEATHER. ALSO APPEARS TO BE ISSUE WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAUSED A FIRE. VERY BAD GAS MILEAGE - BIG CHANGE IN DECREASED MPG. HAVE ISSUES WHEN TRYING TO FILL UP GAS TANK WHERE FUEL GUN FILLER WONT ALLOW ME TO FUEL AS THE GAS PUMP AT MOST GAS STATIONS WILL IMMEDIATELY STOP AND KICK OUT THE FUELLER GUN AND SPIT GAS OUT OF MY TANK AND SPILL ON MY CAR. THERE IS ALSO OIL ON MY SPARK PLUGS AND PORTS. 2 -POWERTRAIN - POOR STABILITY IN DRIVING AND SQUEAKY NOISES COMING FROM REAREND. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND WENT THROUGH FOUR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, FIRST TIME AT 800 MILES ON THE ODOMETER ONLY. FORD REPLACED ALL DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS WHILE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. PRESENTLY I AM RE-EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ALL DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SECOND AND THIRD GEAR TO FINAL INOPERABILITY CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP DEAD WHILE DRIVING. IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

150mo ago

211 total

1/ 11
Report a Klunk