Ford GT Problems: 3 Most-Common Issues (Explained)

The Ford GT was launched in 2003 for the 2005 model year by the Ford Motor Company.

It is a mid-engine sports car marketed as a successor to the Ford GT40. The car was previously available for the 2005 and 2006 model year and has since made a comeback for the 2017 model year.

As a super car, the Ford GT has participated in multiple international racing events and driven by professionals all over the world.

However, there have been some complaints about the Ford GT, and we’ll be touching on some of them below.

1. Paint Peeling on the Hood

Many Ford GT owners have complained about paint peeling off the car’s hood abnormally. The complaint was mostly about the 2005 and 2006 models of the Ford GT, which directly impacts the vehicle’s otherwise great looks.

A particular owner reported visiting a dealership, and they were told that the problem could only be fixed under the 3-year warranty.

Possible Causes and Solutions

Here are potential causes and solutions to this problem:

Extreme Weather

Extreme weather and temperature is one of the most common causes of paint chips on the Ford GT.

The paint goes through different stages of contraction and expansion during high and low temperatures, which rids it of its quality and sparkle.

The obvious preventive measure against this would be keeping your car away from such extreme and unpredictable weather.

Natural Causes

When your GT is parked directly under the sky, it is exposed to moisture, bird scat, debris, and other things. These could weaken the car’s paint quality depending on their frequency and eventually result in ugly peelings.

Again, the best way to forestall this would be to keep your car from such things by covering or parking it in a garage.

Accidents

Another reason your car paint may be peeling off is the result of the impact of an accident. Now, an accident doesn’t have to be a big near-fatal collision; it could also be the little scratch you didn’t pay attention to.

Such minor scratches often prove very hard to notice and may spread to other parts after a while. This is why it is important to always inspect your car for any such scratches before it gets worse.

Toxic Chemicals

GT owners are often tricked into buying chemicals that, while effective, may not be appropriate for the car. This is because many of these chemicals have abrasive content that may degrade the quality of the paint.

If you are going to use any chemicals at all, we advise that you carry an expert technician along in the process.

What To Do

If you notice your Ford GT’s paint peeling, we advise visiting the nearest dealership, especially if the warranty has not expired. You could also take the car to an auto expert for a quote, fix, and preventive measures for the future.

Below are some simple ways to reduce the likelihood of such peels on the Ford GT:

Apply paint protection film with the help and supervision of an expert
Avoid random abrasive car wash chemicals
Have your car cleaned and waxed frequently
Be careful with using automated car washing services

2. Car Dies While Driving

Data from complaints aggregator forums reveal that certain Ford GT models often die abruptly while driving. Many owners expressed apprehension about the issue, especially because of what could possibly happen if the car dies when speeding on a freeway.

However, we must mention that the stalling problem is also common with 2005 and 2006 models with over 100,000 miles on the odometer.

Possible Causes and Solutions

Here are possible causes of this issue and solutions:

Faulty Fuel Delivery System

For a sports car like the Ford GT, the fuel delivery system always has to be on point. If not, it could lead to the car dying abruptly in motion.

The most obvious fuel delivery issue is the shortage of fuel. If your car suddenly grinds to a halt, check the fuel level to see if something has gone wrong with it.

If it’s not a fuel level issue, then it could be a problem with the fuel filter or fuel pump. Very often, fuel filters and pumps get clogged, which obstructs the delivery of fuel to the engine. If this happens, it will cause the engine to stall or misfire.

There could also be an issue with the car’s fuel injector, which would hamper overall performance and cause engine stalling sometimes.

Overheated Engine

A common reason cars stall abruptly is because of an overheated engine. As you probably know, overheating is a major problem on its own, and stalling just happens to be one of its more adverse effects.

Engines get overheated due to myriad reasons, and chief of them is the lack of a coolant flow.

If you notice your Ford GT’s engine overheating, you may want to deal with it ASAP before it worsens and stalls the engine.

Failed Battery

Another reason Ford GT models may die abruptly is a failed battery. In this case, a failed battery includes weak/dead batteries and batteries that have become unable to hold a charge.

Truth is, a battery is expected to last for up to 3 to 5 years before failing at all. However, it could happen earlier, and one of the most notable signs is the car battery light coming on.

A failed battery will mess with the engine’s performance and eventually trigger a stall, especially during idling.

Faulty Alternator

A stoppage of charging activity is often indicative of a defective alternator. This is because the alternator supplies electrical power to parts of a vehicle, including the battery.

Symptoms of a defective alternator include the vehicle refusing to start at all, dying in motion, dim headlights, amongst others.

Worn Serpentine Belt

A worn or broken serpentine belt could also be the reason behind the Ford GT dying abruptly. In case you were wondering what that is, the serpentine belt connects the alternator to the crankshaft to allow the battery charge.

However, if the belt breaks or wears out, the alternator will not run, which would cripple the battery and, eventually, the engine.

Bad Sensors

There are certain sensors that the engine relies on for information in real time. This is to help the engine run smoothly.

The notable ones include mass airflow meter, manifold pressure sensor, fuel pressure sensor, and crankshaft sensor.

However, if any of these go bad, it may affect the engine’s performance and may even lead to the car dying.

What To Do

The dying problem of certain models of the Ford GT is a result of one issue or the other with the car’s engine. To find out which one it is, we advise seeking the services of a qualified mechanic for an appropriate, trustworthy diagnosis.

3. Hydraulic Fluid Leak

Numerous complaints have emerged concerning the Ford GT’s hydraulic fluid leaks. Many owners reported that the leak happened in certain operating conditions, and critics have raised concerns about possible fire incidents as a result.

The leaking problem is common with the 2017 and 2018 models of the Ford GT, and thankfully Ford has issued a recall to that effect.

Possible Causes and Solutions

The manufacturer recognizes this as a major problem, which is why they have issued a recall. They have also traced the leak’s origin to a valve close to the rear wing assembly, and it has been listed as the sole cause.

What To Do

The manufacturer, after the recall, announced plans to install new hydraulic fluid filters, hydraulic check valves, and a software update to check excess pressure.

If you own a GT with this problem, we advise that you get it down to a recognized dealership as soon as possible to get a fix.

General Pros and Cons

Here are some pros and cons of the Ford GT:

Pros

Here are some of the GT’s top selling points:

Great Engine and Performance

The Ford GT is a sports car, and like most other sports cars, people expect incredible speed from it. One of the ways Ford has made good on that expectation is the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine.

This engine delivers a massive 660 horsepower with 550-pound feet of torque, and it combines with a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Decent Fuel Economy

No one expects excellent fuel economy numbers from sports cars like the Ford GT. However, the GT boasts a better number than many of its peers, with its 12 MPG in the city and 18 on the highway.

Now, these are by no means impressive numbers, but they are much better than what you find on other, more expensive performance cars.

Excellent Infotainment System

The Ford GT is used primarily for driving; hence, it’s not exactly the go-to car for infotainment features. However, it still boasts quite the stack of infotainment features, including a 6.5-inch touchscreen display and built-in navigation for road trips.

You also get the Apple Car Play and Android Auto to run things through your smartphone. Not to mention the noise-canceling system and hands-free communication system. If there will be any problem at all with the Ford GT, it’s not going to be boredom.

Excellent Safety Features

Truth is, the Ford GT hasn’t yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA and the IIHS. And while that may raise doubts and suspicions about its safety, it has some very excellent safety and driver-assist features that can’t be overlooked.

Some of them are:

Dual Airbags and top-notch Pre-tensioner Seatbelts
Rear-View Camera
Active Wing Spoiler
Tire Pressure Monitor System
Electronic Stability Control
Anti-Lock Braking System

Cons

Paint Peeling On The Hood
Car Dies While Driving
Hydraulic Fluid Leak

What Do the Reviews Say?

..It is a sensational car to drive. Always on the balls of its feet, it’s beautifully balanced, sharp, stable, and rewarding. It’s also exciting. This is not one of those relentlessly efficient cars that’s too concerned about lap times to have a good time. Instead it sucks you into its world. It’s joyful, exuberant, friendly enough to entice the less experienced, talented enough to fascinate the chargers.

Source: Top Gear

Compared to our harried mental state, the Ford GT is calm and collected at 20 mph, cruising along in comfort mode and feeling more like an oddly-loud sports car than a track monster. Acceleration is linear and easily controllable. The transmission shifts comfortably and keeps the revs appropriately low. The softer suspension tuning is immediately noticeable;

Source: TheDrive

All told, the GT isn’t perfect, but it’s an immensely special machine. Maybe it’s the bright new color or this car’s relative rarity, but in a place where the coolest exotics often struggle to stand out, the GT is nothing but a rolling wave of excitement – especially for whoever’s behind the wheel.

Source: CNET

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What Is the Resale Value of the Ford GT?

Model Year	Mileage	Price
2005 Ford GT	6,120 miles	$479,000
2006 Ford GT	300 miles	$650,000
2018 Ford GT	800 miles	$1,195,000
2019 Ford GT	988 miles	$1,299,999

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ⓘ The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.