How Many Miles & Years Ford Mustangs Last? (8 Important Facts)

The Ford Mustang is a car known for its powerful engines, making it a favorite muscle car of speedsters.

Except for its difficulty to use in the winter, the Mustang delivers a mind-blowing performance on the highway and the drag strip.

Do Ford Mustangs last long?

Despite being a fuel-consuming muscle car, Ford Mustangs have exceptional durability if you maintain them well. These cars can last for 200,000 miles without any major issues. Riding habits and maintenance are the ultimate determinants of longevity.

Read also: 0-60 mph times across all Ford Mustangs.

How Many Miles Do the Ford Mustang Last?

Usually, the Mustang lasts for about 200,000 miles.

If the car is adequately maintained, it can last even longer. Jamie Acosta, a 1996 GT owner, notes that even though her car has lasted for 300,000 miles, only the clutch has developed faults.

Another Mustang owner, Larry, claims his car has never needed major repair even though he has driven it for 400,000 miles.

Also read our article that talks about “Where are Ford Mustangs made”?

How Soon Can You Expect Rust on Ford Mustang?

With age and exposure to winter, all cars will rust.

For the Ford Mustang, rust usually starts around 10-12 years after production. Customers claim the most common places they find rust is the rear axle and the hood.

The rear axle rusts easily because Ford, like many manufacturers, doesn’t apply any undercoating to their vehicles; it’s up to the owners, so once you buy a new Ford Mustang, ensure you spray it with some undercoating before you use it.

If your rear axle has already started rusting, some wax and undercoating will put the rust on hold.

On Ford Mustangs with manufacturing defects, the hood rusts within 3 years after the manufacture date. If rust appears on your hood within this time limit, you’ll have to take it to a Ford dealership near you so they can have the hood replaced.

Because this rust problem happens under the 3-year warranty, Ford will do the replacement for free.

Also, Ford Mustangs are more likely to rust when they come in contact with the snow. So, keep your vehicle out of the snow if you want to delay rust from forming.

Quickly scan our article that talks about Ford Mustang & Keys: 12 Questions Answered

How Long Do Ford Mustangs Last Compared to Similar Vehicles?

Whatever excellent features the Ford Mustang offers, you want it to last as long as possible. Apart from the Mustang, several other cars provide some or all of these features.

That’s why it’s important to compare these cars and go with the one that lasts the longest.

Compared with similar sports cars, the durability of the Ford Mustang is impressive. Let’s look at a few noteworthy comparisons:

Ford Mustang vs. Chevrolet Camaro

The Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro boast powerful engines. Likewise, they offer similar durability levels.

On average, both cars will last over 200,000 miles.

Ford Mustang vs. BMW 2 Series

Both cars sport beastly engines and deliver astonishing power on the tarmac. However, when it comes to durability, the BMW 2 Series delivers better than the Ford Mustang.

While the BMW 2 Series’s average longevity is 300,000 miles, most Ford Mustangs only last for 200,000 miles.

Ford Mustang vs. Mazda MX-5

If you desire vigorous engines for your sports car, the Ford Mustang and Mazda MX-5 are the options you should be considering.

However, the Mazda MX-5 Miata lasts longer than the Mustang. At the very least, the MX-5 Miata will last for 250,000 miles.

For the Ford Mustang, the average durability rate is 200,000 miles.

Look into our article which reads about 3 Most Common Problems With The Ford Mustang

Is the Ford Mustang Reliable?

Yes, Ford Mustangs are reliable.

J.D. Power rated the 2020 Ford Mustang a four out of five in reliability. A 2005 Ford GT owner, Robert Eaton, says his car lasted for 10 years before developing major problems.

Other drivers confirm that the Ford Mustang rarely develops faults when it is regularly maintained.

Nevertheless, some early models of the Ford Mustang have a few reliability issues. For example, owners of 2010-2013 models complained about water leakages and unusual vibrations.

The audio systems in these model years also received negative reviews.

The Best and Worst Years of Ford Mustang

1974-1978 Mustang II is widely considered one of the biggest letdowns in Mustang history.

It’s not all Ford’s fault, though; The  ’70s were an expressly challenging time for American automakers.

The convergence of escalating fuel prices, developing emissions standards, and budding crash regulations crippled some of Ford’s plans, the second-generation Mustang getting crippled.

Still, its Ford Pinto foundation and its 130-hp 5.0-liter V-8 made the 1976 Mustang II Cobra and the most disappointing.

The first generation of Mustang(1965-1973) is still the best.

This is the run that was so legendary that Ford had spent the last 70+ years trying to live up to it.

Of the first-generation Mustang, it’s hard to say what year produced the best car. There was the 1969 Mustang Boss 302 and Boss 429, and the Shelby GT350 and GT500, and of course the Steve McQueen-ready 1968 Mustang GT Fastback from the movie Bullitt.

As far as popularity goes, the 1966 Mustang is the best-selling version of the car in history, and to this day, car collectors seek out the 1966 version of the car most.

The ’66 Mustang was so popular Ford sold as many units of the model as the total sales of the 2014-2020 model year cars hood recent times, the 2013 model is one of the most iconic.

It could complete the 0-60 mph dash in 3.5 seconds and has a mind-numbing speed of 125.7 mph. The 2013 Ford GT came with a powerful 5.8L engine that delivered an insane 662 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 631 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.

It was one of the most magnificent muscle cars to grace Ford’s Mustang lineup.

What About Recalls for These Models

The Mustang has been recalled over 65 times. Ford and other transport regulatory agencies initiated many of the recall actions.

Below is an outline of the recall actions according to the model years:

Ford Mustang Model Year List

The Ford Mustang has been in production since 1964.

In its 55-year production run, the vehicle has evolved from a pony car into a powerful beast that appeals to the youth and young at heart.

In the last generation, Ford redesigned the exterior to make it more aggressive while adding a befitting engine that delivers over 500 horsepowers.

Below is a breakdown of the Ford Mustang generations and their model years:

• 1964 – 1973 [First Generation]
• 1974 – 1978 [Second Generation]
• 1979 – 1993 [Third Generation]
• 1994 – 2004 [Fourth Generation]
• 2005 – 2014 [Fifth Generation]
• 2015 – Present [Sixth Generation]

Are Ford Mustangs Expensive to Maintain?

Does the answer depend on which set of cars you are comparing the Mustang?

When compared to all automobiles, Mustangs are expensive to maintain.

The maintenance of sports cars costs a lot because of their performance bias.

The Mustang is one of many sports cars, hence the high cost of maintenance.

However, among sports cars, the Ford Mustang is one of the cheapest to maintain. It costs a mere $709 per year to maintain the Mustang despite its powerful engines.

Moreover, Mustang spare parts are easy to find.

How Long Do Brakes Last?

Usually, Ford Mustang brakes last 25,000- 30,000 miles. If you inspect your brake fluids regularly and go easy on your brake pads, your brakes will last that long.

Depending on your budget, you can get new brakes from $108-$453.

How Long Do Batteries Last?

Most Ford Mustang batteries last for 4-7 years, as long as you maintain them adequately.

One way to do this is to charge your car battery regularly.

You can also keep the battery active by starting the car every day.

According to repairpal.com, it costs about $156 to $164 to replace a Ford Mustang battery, including labor costs.

How Long Do Tires Last?

Ford Mustang stock tires often last for 15,000-25,000 miles.

Your tires will last longer if you rotate them every time you change oils. Also, parking your car indoors always will do your tires a lot of good.

How Long Do Transmissions Last?

Ford Mustang transmissions can last for about 120,000 miles.

The cost of replacement will depend on whether your car has an automatic or manual transmission, the shop, location, and bargaining power.

How Long Do Spark Plugs Last?

Ford recommends changing your spark plugs once they’ve lasted for 100,000 miles.

What Is the Insurance Cost of Ford Mustang?

According to finder.com, to insure your Ford Mustang, you’ll most likely have to pay an average of $1,992 yearly.

Depending on your age, mileage, model, or location, you might earn a discount or pay more than the above.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Ford Mustang:

Here are tips to prolong the longevity of your Ford Mustang:

• Park your car in an indoor garage. This habit will prevent your car from rusting early in the winter. During the summer, your tires will last longer if you keep them away from the sun when you can.
• Spray your car with wax from time to time.
• Keep your batteries charged.
• Check your fluids regularly so they don’t dry up before you refill them.
• Pay regular visits to the mechanics. All Ford drivers attest that adequate maintenance always translates to a long life for the Ford Mustang.

References:

https://repairpal.com/ford/mustang

https://repairpal.com/estimator/ford/mustang/battery-replacement-cost

Ford Mustang insurance rates

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