The 2002 Ford Mustang has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Seat belt retractor failure to retract or release.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2002 Ford Mustang.
SEAT BELTS
17 NHTSA complaints · 2002-06 → 2014-11
“THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT COME OUT OR RETRACT. IT STUCK IN A HALF WAY OUT POSITION. IT CANNOT BE USED”
“SEATBELT RETRACTORS DO NOT RETRACT OR RELEASE SAFETY BELTS. BELTS CONSTANTLY BECOME TWISTED AND WILL NOT RETRACT PROPERLY; OR THEY GET JAMMED AND WILL NOT RELEASE SO IT CAN BE BUCKLED”
“DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED. THE PART HAD BEEN REPAIRED. HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED TO FAIL”
AIR BAGS
13 NHTSA complaints · 2002-06 → 2018-01
“I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLUSION AT ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR, MY CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
“BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. OUR MUSTANG STRUCK A PICK UP TRUCK AS IT TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF US AT AN INTERSECTION WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH”
“WHILE DRIVING NORTH AT 45 MPH A VEHICLE TRAVELING SOUTH HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HEAD ON. FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK”
TIRES
6 NHTSA complaints · 2002-11 → 2011-08
“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN HEARD A LOUD "POP" NOISE. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT THE SIDEWALL”
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES SPLIT ALONG THE SIDEWALL. WITHIN 4,000 MILES THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES”
“I HAVE GOODYEAR EAGLE LS TIRES ON MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG THAT KEEP BLOWING OUT ON THE INSIDE AND SHREDDING THE TIRE”
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
4 NHTSA complaints · 2003-04 → 2021-03
“THE VEHICLES FUEL PUMP FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED ONCE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT”
“FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 6,600 MILES”
“FUEL PUMP HAD GONE OUT ON CAR. NEW PUMP DIRECTLY FROM FORD DEALERSHIP WAS PUT INTO CAR”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
14 NHTSA complaints · 2005-08 → 2020-12
“THE FOURTH SPARK PLUG ON MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG GT 4.6L VEHICLE BLEW OUT. THIS RESULTED HEAVY LOSS OF POWER, SHAKING, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY FUEL FUMES TO COME OUT”
“SPARK PLUGS EJECTING OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD ON MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG GT. HAD ONE BLOW OUT 1 YEAR AGO AND NOW ANOTHER ON THE OTHER HEAD”
“2002 FORD MUSTANG GT (4.6L V8) BLEW OUT # 2 SPARK PLUG AFTER 80,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP PUT IN A HELICOIL TO REPLACE THE STRIPPED THREADS CAUSED FROM THE BLOW OUT AND REPLACED THE OTHER SPARK PLUGS AND BOOTS”
AIR BAGS
8 NHTSA complaints · 2003-10 → 2019-11
“WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE DEPLOYMENT”
“WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT LOW SPEED VEHICLE HIT A SMALL CURB AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE”
“SHE RAN INTO THE BACK OF HIS TRUCK GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH AND HER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
20 NHTSA complaints · 2002-06 → 2004-10
“CONSUMER STATES ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE FUNCTIONS. DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE”
“THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY STALLS ON DECELERATION. WHEN DECELERATING TO A STOP, PUSHING IN THE CLUTCH AND BRAKING WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO DIE”
“STALLS OCCURS APPROXIMATELY EVERY 1-2 WEEKS WITHOUT WARNING; REPLACING IAC DIDN'T FIX”
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
11 NHTSA complaints · 2002-08 → 2015-05
“WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS BEING PRESSED OR IS COMPLETELY PRESSED TO THE FLOOR, THE CAR ACCELERATES AND LUNGES FORWARD”
“WHILE DRVING GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO BRAKES, AND VEHICLE SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 55MPH, BUT WOULD NOT STOP”
“FIRST INCIDENT: I WAS APPROACHING MY MAIL BOX TO STOP AND GET MY MAIL OUT, WHILE BRAKING INSTEAD OF STOPPING THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WENT RIGHT PAST MY MAILBOX”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.
Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
459 crashes 1990–2024
How the 459 occupant deaths break down
334
driver deaths
125
passenger deaths
459
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2002 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
26
complaints mentioning a crash
12
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2002 Ford Mustang reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.