They say it’s lonely at the top, and it’s also incredibly frightening. For as you reach the pinnacle of achievement and fame, with no one to keep you company, the eager tongues of throne suitors are always licking at your heels. A king’s every move is scrutinized, so when you’re the greatest in the game, everyone is constantly on the lookout for defects — and this is unavoidable when you’re one of the best muscle cars in history.
The Ford Mustang is unquestionably a legend in the automotive business. The world’s best-selling sports car has been at the top of the automotive food chain for nearly 60 years and continues to be Ford’s longest-production vehicle. The Mustang is a dream automobile for many, and an idol for even more, because it is quick, reasonably inexpensive, and has a heritage that fills you with pride.
However, perfection can be fickle, because the seams are frequently bound with threads of excessive expectations — in other words, everyone has flaws. And the Ford Mustang isn’t immune to them either, so with that in mind, let’s uncover some of the Mustang secrets that owners aren’t disclosing to the public.
The Ford Mustang Is Rusted
We’ve all seen a little rust here and there; it occurs. In the case of the Ford Mustang, it appears to be a rather common occurrence. One of the most common issues with Ford Mustang ownership has been its proclivity for generating an abundance of rust deposits. Even though this problem may not appear until 10 to 12 years after purchase, it has been identified as a major fault in the construction of America’s most iconic car.
While this is mostly a complaint of owners of older Mustangs, certain later versions are also prone to corrosion. Models manufactured between 2002 and 2009 frequently encountered fast-spreading corrosion of their aluminum hoods, prompting a (now-dismissed) class-action lawsuit against the company involving some of its newer vehicles. This problem has frequently been blamed to Ford’s refusal to put any protective undercoating to their vehicles, however it appears that this is no longer the case, as modern Mustangs do much better in this regard.
The rear seats are not intended for sitting.
Okay, no matter how you look at it — or how hard you try to persuade your partner – this isn’t a family vehicle. Although there are certain sports vehicles that are surprisingly practical for daily driving, the Ford Mustang is not one of them. The Ford Mustang has an impressive list of praiseworthy features, but few of them are related with its comfort.
Muscle cars designed for performance driving tend to concentrate on the task at hand and are thus best enjoyed from either the driver’s or passenger’s seat. Because, while the Ford Mustang does feature seats for the occasional extra passenger, it will very certainly be a child. Given that the Mustang only offers 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space, it may be advisable to simply use the back seats for additional cargo storage.
The Ford Mustang’s Engine Is Unpredictable
A great sports car is unpredictable at times, which adds to its allure. Some of the most exciting automobiles on the market are capable of surprising their driver at any time. Unfortunately, that is not the type of unpredictability we are discussing here, since the Ford Mustang appears to have a completely different trick up its sleeve – engine failure.
Despite the fact that some of the best classic muscle car engines have been born within the Ford factory, powertrain troubles have plagued Mustangs for the past 20 years or so, with some of the more modern models experiencing head gasket and piston failures. These have been attributed to carbon build-up in the engine, which occurs as a result of Ford’s usage of direct injection over other forms of fuel introduction, which has the tendency to leave oil residues, which subsequently produce carbon build-up owing to heat from the engine. Regular engine checks and servicing are the only way to avoid this problem. Maintain your Mustang, and it will maintain you.
The Ford Mustang despises technology.
Not all of us are in sync with the technologically advanced ways of the future; as it turns out, neither is the Ford Mustang. One of the largest recalls involving the Ford Mustang has been linked to software concerns. The problems that resulted from this particular ailment included the malfunction of reverse lights, active safety measures such as blind spot warning (BSW), forward collision warning (FCW), and cross traffic warning, and the backup camera, which affected mostly models between 2019 and 2020 (resulting in the recall of over 25,000 vehicles). This was quickly fixed by a software update, and no injuries or crashes were reported as a result, but it may have demonstrated that the Mustang is best served as an old-school muscle car.
The Ford Mustang’s battery has died.
We’re not even talking about the new Mustang Mach-E here. Ford Mustangs have long been infamous for their electrical problems, with some versions suffering from catastrophic parasitic battery drains.
While issues in this field are understandable if you have a vintage model that hasn’t been properly refurbished, when a parasitic draw (an ongoing electric current that drains the battery even when the engine is turned off) plagues a new vehicle, it can be downright annoying. Inadequate wiring and incorrect battery installation have been blamed for the car’s electrical difficulties, which are especially obvious in pre-owned Mustangs. This is definitely something to keep in mind, as it can cause you to be really late for work.
The Ford Mustang’s Interior Is A Little Boring
It’s logical that luxury will not be a top concern when laying out the most crucial parts of a car like a Ford Mustang, which is all about the ultimate driving experience. Nonetheless, Mustang owners have expressed their dissatisfaction with the quality and look, noting that the plastics used in the production of some panels feel cheap, and the dashboard style is very uninspired. However, while it is not the best of American sports car interiors, it is far from the worst, and it provides plenty of modern-day comforts and practical facilities for your fast ride – if in a slightly minimalist fashion.
The Ford Mustang Is Hungry
Sigh…of course, this is a problem with a car like the Ford Mustang. While Ford engineers have worked tirelessly to make the brand’s vehicles the most fuel-efficient muscle cars available — with the 2.3-liter, 310 horsepower EcoBoost® engine leading the way – the results for fuel economy remain disappointing.
The EcoBoost model gets roughly 22 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, while the powerful, 5.0-liter, V8 ‘Coyote’ gets 15 mpg and 24 mpg, respectively. With that in mind, when you walk into a showroom looking for a ‘Stang, you’re not expecting to be presented with low-emission vehicles that are good for the environment — you’re expecting a crass display of power.
The Ford Mustang Isn’t All That Swift
Even an American icon like the Ford Mustang can’t do it all. Despite the fact that the Mustang is one of the best muscle cars for performance driving, according to some driver reviews, its performance is best displayed in a straight line. The car’s suspension, notably its dampers, has been found to struggle with the vehicle’s weight distribution when handling corners rather than flooring it down a runway.
The Mustang’s weight of 3,880 lbs has also been highlighted as a role in its slightly off-kilter road style, making the suspension’s work all the more difficult. In addition to the chassis, the handling of the Ford Mustang has been criticized for being unsporty and lethargic, especially in comparison to comparable European sports cars. You can’t have everything.
The Ford Mustang Isn’t Very Unique
Purchasing a Ford Mustang will surely set you apart from the crowd, but it will not set you apart from the many other Mustang owners. When you buy a muscle car or any other performance-oriented vehicle, you expect to command a certain amount of attention from the crowd,
but owning a Ford Mustang will most likely either get you noticed for being “just another Mustang owner” or make you popular among those who also have one — so you will be part of the club, but rarely get to shine (unless yours is truly special). Oh, and you will surely attract cop attention, but that is a standard characteristic of all top muscle cars. That’s all there is to it.
The Ford Mustang Has A Stereotype
The Ford Mustang is no exception to the fact that a driver’s choice of the car may reveal a lot about their personality, both good and negative. Its link with speed and violence, as with all muscle cars, is obvious, as is its status among gearheads as a dream automobile — but these are the positives. It can, however, frequently draw a bad perception and be regarded as a car driven by arrogant or dangerous drivers. True gearheads, on the other hand, know who they are and will no doubt live up to the Mustang’s reputation.
