The 2003 Ford Mustang is a small car that came with a choice of 3.8L 6-cyl and 4.6L 8-cyl engines. At 23 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd, Manual 6-spd |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 15–17 city / 21–27 highway / 17–21 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,200–$4,850 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 423–523 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 7 configurations |
| Age | 23 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall covering the 2003 Ford Mustang. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
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.
Risk: This could interfere with the pedal's ability to return to an idle position. Unexpected, continued throttle application and/or increased stopping distances may occur which could result in a crash.
Owners have filed 180 complaints about the 2003 Ford Mustang with NHTSA. 19 reports involved a crash and 4 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 12 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 59 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2003 Ford Mustang. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this
Limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning maneuvers. *tt
Engine misfire with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) pewee, p0302, p0303, p0304, p0305, p0306, p0307, p0308, and p0316. *tt
Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running. *tt
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 3 defect investigations covering the 2003 Ford Mustang.
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or t
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. 06s43/NHTSA recall 06v-108, copy
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 additi
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 2003 Mustangs that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 Ford Mustang; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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