Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here.
Owners have filed 868 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Ford Mustang, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 265 | 31% |
| Electrical system | 196 | 23% |
| Fuel system | 46 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 36 | 4% |
| Structure | 34 | 4% |
| Parking brake | 24 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 16 | 2% |
| Power train | 15 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 14 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 12 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 pr
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. While driving at approximately 25-35 MPH for approximately two miles, the engine started overheating. The oil
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
I have experienced two engine failures in my 2005 Ford Mustang due to timing chain issues, specifically the failure of the timing chain cassette, guides, and tensioners in the 4.0L SOHC V6 engine. The first failure happe
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that during inclement weather, water was entering the cabin of the vehicle through the passenger’s side glove box. The contact stated that due to the failure, mold
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH on a rainy night, the headlights started flickering. The contact stated that upon exiting the freeway, while driving 30 MPH, the headlights co
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I purchased this car from Trent Family Auto on May 2, 2024. On September 11, 2024 the engine failed. While working on replacing the engine I found an open recall. This is safety related and was never mentioned to me b
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Took the 2005 Mustang GT in several years ago to have one airbag replaced. Dealer (Autonation Torrance, California) stated parts were not available for the other side. One of the airbags has never been replaced. I now
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2005 Ford Mustang. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also i
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or
Fix: Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford custome
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marian
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever register
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mai
| Reliability | 43 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 61 | average |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 96 | excellent |
| Performance | 65 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 868 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 265 of them (31%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 43/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 61/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip, because the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here. Its overall ownership score is 61/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.