Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

2003 vs 2004 FORD MUSTANG

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 275 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 17.7% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 2003 share 2004 share Share change
ENGINE 27.9% 6.3% ▼ 21.6 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10.7% 29.5% ▲ 18.8 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 10.0% 1.8% ▼ 8.2 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 1.4% 5.4% ▲ 3.9 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 7.9% 4.5% ▼ 3.4 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 0.7% 2.7% ▲ 2.0 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 4.3% 6.3% ▲ 2.0 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 3.6% 1.8% ▼ 1.8 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE 0.7% 1.8% ▲ 1.1 pts larger share
STEERING 0.7% 1.8% ▲ 1.1 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3.6% 2.7% ▼ 0.9 pts smaller share
WHEELS 0.7% not reported ▼ 0.7 pts smaller share
TIRES 1.4% 1.8% ▲ 0.4 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2.1% 1.8% ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS 7.9% 8.0% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 4.3% 4.5% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 49.3% 71.4% ▲ 22.1 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

2003 6

Campaign components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2004 6

Campaign components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
4 → 0
◆ Injuries
11 → 8