2005 Ford Mustang
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.

- Class
- Subcompact Cars
- Body styles
- 2dr Convertible, 2dr Coupe, GT 2dr Coupe
- Engines
- 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl
- Horsepower
- 210–300 hp
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 20 combined · 17 city / 26 hwy
- Length
- 187.4–187.8 in
- Curb weight
- 3,300–3,450 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints349 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 41 for similar models — most often about the air bags.
- "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 19 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Ford Mustang is a subcompact car offered with 2 engines (4.0L 6-cyl and 4.6L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive.
It measures about 187 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,342 lb (2dr Convertible).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (17 city / 26 highway), 4% worse than the 2005 subcompact car average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 349 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Flat Rock, Michigan
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2005 Mustang configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Convertible | 187.4 in | 74 in | 54.3 in | 107.1 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 3,342 lb | 53/47 |
| 2dr Coupe | 187.8 in | 74 in | 54.3 in | 107.1 in | 62.2 / 62.6 in | 3,300 lb | 53/47 |
| GT 2dr Coupe | 187.8 in | 74 in | 54.3 in | 107.1 in | 62.2 / 62.6 in | 3,450 lb | 53/47 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mustang | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -4% | $3,350 | 444 |
| Mustang | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | -9% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Mustang | 4.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -14% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Mustang | 4.6L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | -14% | $3,700 | 494 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Ford Mustang under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 subcompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Ford Mustang (this car) | 20 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2005 Honda Accord | 28 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2005 Toyota Camry | 25 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Malibu | 25 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Passat | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Chrysler 300 | 18 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2005 Nissan Altima | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (4)
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 16, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V081000 · 1,067 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 10, 2017 Do not drive
NHTSA campaign 17V024000 · 654,695 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · May 31, 2016 Do not drive
NHTSA campaign 16V384000 · 1,892,343 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · May 28, 2015 Do not drive
NHTSA campaign 15V319000 · 1,018,622 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2014 Mustang vehicles manufactured April 6, 2004, to June 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 GT vehicles manufactured February 20, 2004, to September 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2016. Even if interim repairs were performed under safety recall 14V-802, owners must bring their vehicles in for the final remedy. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S21. Note: This recall supersedes safety recall 14V-802.
Not every 2005 Ford Mustang is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Ford Mustang buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
- Air Bags — 263 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 33 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 20 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 67,936 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Mustang. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Mustang years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Mustang | 26 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 8 |
| 2025 Mustang | 26 | 189.4 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 19 |
| 2024 Mustang | 26 | 189.4 in | ★★★★★ | 12 | 84 |
| 2023 Mustang | 25 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 15 |
| 2022 Mustang | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 9 | 50 |
| 2021 Mustang | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 55 |
| 2020 Mustang | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 121 |
| 2019 Mustang | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 151 |
| 2018 Mustang | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 196 |
| 2017 Mustang | 24 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 268 |
| 2016 Mustang | 25 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 5 | 380 |
| 2015 Mustang | 25 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 11 | 437 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →