The Ford Mustang is one of the most well known and most coveted sports cars in the world. But the famous racer isn't without its problems, as any Mustang owner probably already knows. Here we'll cover the top 3 most common problems reported with Mustangs, and more importantly, how to fix them.
1. Corrosion, Rust and Bubbling Paint on Hoods
This is one of the most common and arguably the most frustrating problem common to Mustangs - the fact that the hood is prone to rust and corrosion and the paint often bubbles up, leaving the metal underneath vulnerable. This is not a new problem, and has even resulted in class action lawsuits against Ford, though they were ultimately dismissed.
The problem is actually caused by a problem known as galvanic corrosion. In laymen's terms, it means when two dissimilar metals are joined together, they're prone to corrosion. In this case, it's the aluminum hood of the Mustang welded to the iron frame.
Unfortunately, there isn't really a way to fix this problem in the long term. Repainting the hood will make it look better for a time, but the paint bubbling will start again, usually in less than 2 years. Replacing the hood has the same result, but for Mustang lovers it's often worth it because we want our cars to look their best, right?
2. Transmission Failure
Faulty transmissions that fail early have plagued Mustang owners for years. Transmissions that worked fine will suddenly stop shifting or, worse, start shifting into random gears when all you want to do is to go forward. A quick search for "Mustang transmissions" will bring up equal numbers of parts sales websites and forums where Mustang owners are complaining about their faulty transmissions.
If your Mustang is still under warranty when this happens, the easiest way to fix this problem is to head back to the dealership and have them put in a new transmission.
If it's not under warranty, unfortunately, replacement or a full rebuild is your only option if it fails completely. Before you start running into problems, though, there are plenty of products you can use to extend the life of your transmission and put off those costly repairs until another day.
3. Door Hinge Failure
Anyone with a late-model Mustang knows what a beast those doors can be, and even through normal usage, those hinges take a beating. Once the bushings crack or the hinge pin bends, it can be nearly impossible to open and close the door properly. If left unrepaired, it can also warp the hinges as the door will hang at an odd angle when open.
Thankfully, replacing these hinge pins and bushings doesn't require much more than a handled rotary tool, a jack to hold up your door, and a new set of pins, which won't set you back more than $20.
When it comes right down to it, in spite of all the potential problems, we love our pony cars and wouldn't trade them in for anything!
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