5 Best And Worst Years For The Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang is an iconic American car that has been a longtime favorite of drivers.

The first generation of the car was released in 1964 and was lauded from the beginning for its sleek design and performance.

The Mustang has been in production for over 50 years. During that time, it’s undergone design changes, model upgrades, and even a few complete overhauls.

But despite all of these changes, there have been ups and downs over the years, which have led to the creation of this article.

Let’s check out the best and worst years for Ford Mustang below:

Best Years for Ford Mustang:

1. 2017
2. 2018
3. 2019
4. 2020
5. 2021

Worst Years for Ford Mustang:

1. 2005
2. 2006
3. 2011
4. 2012
5. 2015

The pattern of reliability improving over the years may be evident in this list alone. Stick around to find out why the chosen models are good or should be avoided.

What Are The Worst Years For The Ford Mustang? Which Years To Avoid

This part of the article will discuss all of the models of the Ford Mustang that one must avoid.

I thought it would be better to discuss these first, so you can know the most important things there are to know.

1. 2005 Ford Mustang

Ford’s 2005 Mustang was not a good year for the company. It’s probably the worst year ever.

Why? Well, there were many issues with this particular model.

First of all, the gauges in the dashboard would act erratically and sometimes not work at all.

Secondly, the alternator was prone to failure. And lastly, Ford’s complete transmission failure was an issue that affected many car owners.

These repairs are generally very expensive, and the cost would go up due to the car being a Mustang.

Another thing to note is that this model is pretty old now. Although it may still be an amazing performer, it does lack in terms of features.

2. 2006 Ford Mustang

The 2006 Ford Mustang is the most complained about model out of all. The most common complaint is that the paint is bubbling.

This could be due to faulty materials or because people have been using the wrong kind of washing products on their cars.

If you own a 2006 Mustang, you may want to check for bubbles in your paint job!

Another common complaint about this model is that it has an issue with interior water leaking into it.

Many owners report that they’ve noticed water pooling in their cars after heavy rains or snowstorms.

Finally, there have been reports of engine stalling while driving—which is not good news if you’re out on the road!

3. 2011 Ford Mustang

The 2011 Ford Mustang model was a big letdown for car enthusiasts when it arrived.

The most widely reported problems were the failure of the clutch and corrosion under the paint.

Another issue with this model is engine stall or limp mode failure.

Many people have complained about how their engine starts malfunctioning after just a few months of owning their new vehicle, which is inconvenient and costly.

The final problem with this model is clutch failure—a common occurrence among owners of this particular car.

These problems are fixable, but no one wants to buy a vehicle only to spend more money on it.

4. 2012 Ford Mustang

The 2012 Ford Mustang model was also filled with issues, despite being released much more recently than others on this list.

The most significant issue was corrosion on the hood. The hoods on these cars were made of aluminum, prone to corrosion in certain climates and conditions.

Because of this, owners have reported seeing large areas of corrosion on their hoods within a few years of owning the car.

Another major issue with these cars is the engine entering limp mode or would shut down while driving.

This can be very dangerous for drivers traveling at high speeds and suddenly losing power completely while driving on a busy or interstate highway!

5. 2015 Ford Mustang

The 2015 Ford Mustang was one of the more recent models produced by Ford, but it seems they didn’t have a great handle on what they were doing.

It’s not just that this car has bad paint quality (we’ve seen that before).

The 2015 Mustang has problems with water leaking into the interior and engine shaking and stalling—and even worse, brakes squealing when applied.

The engine shaking and stalling was also an issue with this model because it could cause people to lose control while driving on the road—which is dangerous!

These issues make the 2015 Mustang not worth buying.

What Are The Best Years For The Ford Mustang? Which Years To Buy

Now that the worst models of the Mustang have been discussed, it is time to discuss the best ones.

These models have been the best in the recent history of the car, and they can be bought without hesitation.

Continue reading to find out why they are so good.

1. 2017 Ford Mustang

The 2017 Ford Mustang model is a good car, but why should you consider buying it?

First, it has multiple engine options, ranging from V8 to V6. This means that you can choose the best one for your needs.

However, if you want to save some money and get more fuel efficiency, there are also EcoBoost engines available for this model.

The last reason why this vehicle is worth buying is because of its excellent handling and control features: it’s one of the most responsive cars on the market today!

2. 2018 Ford Mustang

The 2018 Ford Mustang is a great car. It has a base model that only costs $27,000, but it can produce 310 HP, which is pretty decent.

If you want even more power, you can get the new ten-speed transmission or the performance package that offers a lot of bang for the buck.

The 2018 Ford Mustang also has a new ten-speed transmission that performs better than ever before.

The Performance Package also offers a lot of bang for the buck, with many upgrades at a low cost.

3. 2019 Ford Mustang

When it comes to the 2019 Ford Mustang model, there’s no question about it: it is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a used car.

The first thing you’ll notice about the 2019 Ford Mustang is its engine.

The V8 engine gives you plenty of power and torque, allowing you to easily take off from a stop or pass other vehicles.

Another great feature of this model is its suspension system, which ensures that your ride will be smooth and comfortable.

This means that even when you’re driving on bumpy roads or uneven terrain, you’ll still feel like sitting in a plush chair!

4. 2020 Ford Mustang

The 2020 Ford Mustang model is a great car in its own right, but it’s also a major step forward for Ford’s lineup.

The Mustang can produce up to 526 horsepower, making it the most powerful Mustang ever when it was released.

But if you want more power—and who doesn’t?—the Shelby GT500 model can push out more than 700 horsepower.

As if that weren’t enough, the 2020 Mustang comes with driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, so you can rest easy knowing that your car will take care of itself while you focus on driving.

5. 2021 Ford Mustang

The 2021 Ford Mustang is a great car, similar to the 2020 model. That’s a good thing because we loved the 2020 model and this new one just as much.

The 2021 Ford Mustang has an active valve performance exhaust that lets you control the engine sound, making your car as quiet or loud as you want it to be.

It also has an excellent drive and drives quality as well. You can take it anywhere without worrying about vibrations.

Ford also offered this model in a convertible variant, which some people prefer. You can enjoy the weather whenever you want and pull it down.

How Reliable Is A Ford Mustang?

According to JDPower, which ranks cars on a 1-100 scale, reliability is around 80 for all recent years, with the 2020 model having a rating of 85.

That’s an impressive score in its own right, but it’s even more impressive when considering how much the Mustang has changed over the last few years.

Vehicles tend to have lower reliability ratings when changes are made. That certainly deter the Ford Mustang from continuing its trend to do so.

How Long Do Ford Mustangs Last?

A Ford Mustang is a pretty solid car that can hold up to the test of time. The average lifespan of a Ford Mustang is around.

So, if you’re going to get 200,000 miles out of your Ford Mustang, you’d have to be driving it for more than ten years.

Even if you drive for more than that, you can still expect a minimum of ten years from this vehicle, which is more than enough for most people.

That said, all of this depends on how frequently and well you maintain your vehicle.

What To Do To Lengthen The Life Of Your Ford Mustang

Regardless of the reliability of the Ford Mustang, it is still just a car. So, many steps can be taken to ensure it can last for as long as possible.

Let’s see the top three ways that can be used to make sure that the Mustang can reach that 200000-mile mark.

• You should have your car serviced as often as possible—every 5,000 miles for conventional oil and 10000 for a synthetic one so that you know it’s working properly and isn’t breaking down on you unexpectedly.
• Use high-quality oil and fuel, ensuring the engine’s smooth running. This is the most basic tip but is the most effective one too.
• Rotate tires every few thousand miles. This keeps them from wearing out unevenly and helps them last longer than they would otherwise.
• It also helps prevent blowouts and other dangerous problems like hydroplaning (when your tires lose contact with the road surface). A good practice is to rotate the tires with every oil change.
• If a repair is needed on your vehicle, get it done as soon as possible. It’s best to do this before any damage has occurred to the engine or other parts of the car.
• This will help prevent more serious damage down the line when you have an issue with something else like a tire blowout or transmission failure due to other problems caused by neglecting maintenance.

These are some of the many tips that can be utilized to ensure your new Mustang can be driven for as long as possible.

Things That Shorten The Lifespan Of Your Ford Mustang

As I said before, the Ford Mustang is just a car. Some things can shorten its lifespan, some of which will be discussed right now.

This is an important section; if you are reading this, I suggest you do not skip it.

• If you’ve noticed that your car is pulling to one side, or if the steering wheel feels loose while driving, you may need to align your tires.
• Ideally, this should be done every 20,000 miles or so. The fact that you don’t have full control of your vehicle sounds pretty dangerous.
• Ford parts made by companies other than Ford will not always fit as well as original Ford parts do—and they may not last as long either.
• If you’re going to replace any part of your car’s engine or transmission with a third-party party one, make sure it was designed for use with your exact vehicle model!
• Still, settling for nothing less than an OEM part is recommended. They are more expensive, but that is worth it.
• This is probably the simplest thing on this list: don’t step on the gas as hard as possible when driving!
• You might think that accelerating quickly will help you get somewhere faster (and sometimes it does!), but it also wears down your engine in a very short amount of time.

People do not take these tips seriously, which is why their Mustangs don’t last as long as advertised by the manufacturer. So, these tips should be followed.

3 Most Ford Mustang Common Problems You Should Know

Below are some of the problems I was able to find after my research. I hope writing about these problems will help you with your decision.

1. Car Vibrating When Driving

If you hear a vibrating sound coming from your car when you’re driving over bumps or potholes, it could be that the tires are out of alignment or need balancing.

If this is the case, you’ll need to take your car to an experienced mechanic who can fix this problem for you.

Make sure to take your Mustang to Ford only because it is a vehicle not all mechanics and garages can operate on.

2. Tires Getting Out Of Balance Prematurely

This is another very common problem that Mustangs have faced over the years.

If your tires are imbalanced, they won’t last as long as they should, and they’ll wear down more quickly than normal.

This can be extremely dangerous if unchecked because it can lead to serious accidents and injuries.

Make sure you check them regularly so any issues can be addressed before they become a big problem!

3. Malfunctioning Steering And Suspension

If your steering wheel is loose or too tight or if there’s unusual movement in your suspension system (like bouncing), then these may indicate problems with either the axle or ball joints in your car’s suspension system.

You’ll need to take it in for an inspection as soon as possible so that any necessary repairs can be made before damage occurs! The Mustang is not very cheap to fix.

So, you should get it to the mechanic as soon as possible, or else you may be looking at spending thousands of dollars on getting it in drivable condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is Ford Mustang A Good Car?

It’s one of the best-selling cars in America, and that’s not just because of its looks.

It has a powerful engine, which makes it fast and strong, but also very efficient. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in under five seconds, which is pretty quick for any car.

Q2: Do Ford Mustangs Hold Their Value?

The Mustang retains 57% of its value after five years.

That’s pretty impressive for a car that’s about as fast as you can get without going into some kind of illegal territory.

It’s also got great handling and looks awesome. Buying it is a safe bet, especially if you are not looking to keep it for the long term.

Q3: How Many Ford Mustangs Have Been Sold?

The Ford Mustang is one of the most popular sports cars in the world.

And if you take a look at the sales history of this vehicle, you’ll see that they tend to fluctuate between 60000 and 80000 units per year.

In 2005, however, sales spiked at 160000, which was double what they are today.

Q4: Which Ford Mustang Engine Is The Most Reliable?

The 5.0L Coyote is a V8 engine that was introduced in 2018 as part of a refresh of the Mustang GT.

It has been one of the most reliable engines Ford has ever produced, so it’s no wonder it’s also one of their best sellers.

The 5.0L Coyote is estimated at about 460 horsepower and 420 lb. ft of torque.

Q5: Is Ford Mustang Expensive To Maintain?

It’s not as expensive as you might think. In fact, the first ten years of ownership will cost you only $7000!

This beats the average for popular coupes by $330 and means that you can afford this beautiful car without worrying about breaking the bank every time something goes wrong.

Conclusion

The Ford Mustang has been one of the longest-running and most successful pony cars ever produced.

While it’s had its ups and downs, there’s no denying that it’s a force to be reckoned with.

When it comes to talking about the best and worst years for Ford Mustang, there is no denying that you need to be careful.

If you follow this article properly and make an informed decision, you don’t need to worry about anything.

Everything you need to know about it has been discussed here. All in all, the Mustang is a solid vehicle, and buying it is a fantastic decision.

References:
https://www.car-buying-strategies.com/Ford/2021-Mustang.html
https://www.edmunds.com/ford/mustang/2018/review/
https://www.mustangspecs.com/5-best-mustang-engines/