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Early fifth-gen Mustang model years were plagued with electrical and paint problems.

The legendary Ford Mustang needs no introduction. Since its launch in 1964, the Mustang proved to be worthy of attention. Ford’s household name provided everything you needed from an American sports car, and that’s why the manufacturer sold over a million units across the United States within the first 18 months.

With potent engine options and more responsive handling compared to rivals, the current 2022 Ford Mustang is as good as it gets. While Ford is getting ready to introduce the next generation of the Mustang to the market, many might prefer spending their money on used models already available on the market.

Like any other car, the Mustang had its ups and downs throughout different model years. However, the fifth-gen's early model years remain the least reliable Mustangs on the used market. Without further ado, let’s see what makes the 2005 Mustang the worst of the bunch.

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According to the Car Complaints website, with almost 250 registered complaints, the 2006 model is slightly more problematic than the 2005 Mustang. On the other hand, the highest number of complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for a Mustang belongs to the 2005 model.

The most common issue plaguing the 2005 Mustang is the fuel gauge ceasing to work correctly well below the 50,000-mile mark. Moreover, many have mentioned the speedometer, and the tach also started to malfunction. In most cases, the problem occurred after having the car parked in the rain. Although this is a widespread problem, owners had to spend over $800 out of their own pockets to replace the instrument cluster with a new one.

Another widespread problem concerning the 2005 model is the engine stalling on random occasions. According to owner reports, the Mustang suddenly lost motif power and stalled in the middle of the road, creating a hazardous situation both for occupants and other drivers. In most cases, the problem came from a failed throttle body module. This low-mileage problem typically costs over a thousand bucks to fix.

The automatic transmission that Ford installed in the 2005 Mustang isn’t a reliable one. Even after regular maintenance and normal driving habits, several owners have mentioned the transmission failing entirely. Owners had no choice but to swap the transmission system with a new one for over $3,000.

Last but not least, owners of the 2005 Mustang have complained about paint bubbles and rust appearing prematurely on different panels. “My paint on 2005 Mustang GT started to bubble under and over the hood. It’s getting worse, and now the paint is peeling and chipping off on the top of the hood, especially around the front lip. It looks awful! It’s definitely caused by poor paint job the aluminum hood at the factory,” quoted one owner on the Car Complaints website.

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The 2005 model is one of the most recalled Mustangs in history. In 2006, Ford recalled the Mustang twice over front strut bracket separation. Ford acknowledged that the broken bracket could contact the tire, damage the sidewall and lead to a vehicle crash. Hopefully, the problem occurred on no more than 546 units, and it’s not something owners should typically be worried about.

On the other hand, Ford recalled over 50 thousand units equipped with SaberSport corner and bumper lamp assemblies. According to the report, these headlamps failed to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standards due to their decrease in lighting visibility.

From 2008 to very recently, in 2021, the 2005 Ford Mustang was involved in six recalls related to airbag problems. Most of the recalls pertain to defective airbag inflators that rupture when the airbags deploy. When these inflators explode, they strike the vehicle occupants with metal fragments and cause serious injuries.

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If you’re in the market for a fifth-gen Mustang, you should avoid spending your money on 2005 and 2006 models. Due to various widespread problems, these model years have terrible records in reliability and longevity.

On the other hand, 2009, 2010, and 2013 are among the least problematic model years in the Mustang’s fifth generation.

Mustangs can generally reach up to 200,000 miles on the odometer with regular maintenance. However, if you’re the third or the fourth owner of one, it is safer to expect major powertrain overhauls around the 150,00-mile mark.

Regardless of the model year you opt for, consult with a trusted mechanic to ensure the engine and transmission are in good shape.

Hamed is a literature student, writer, musician, and car enthusiast. His favorite topics to write about are cars, tech, and gaming. When he's not writing, he's either playing music or listening to it.