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Coupes & Convertibles Ford Mustang Ford Mustang (2005 & newer) Problems and Solutions 
1524 messages, Last post on Oct 24, 2006 at 9:05 PM
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I've been lurking on the forum since I ordered my Mustang in March '06 (got caught in the build out, so got a 2007 for 2006 price, with more options, very sweet deal!), and thought I'd share my first month's worth of experiences with the 2007 model. A small bit of background: I live in Germany, so purchased an American spec. Mustang from Military Car Sales and had it shipped, since we don't intend to stay here forever (thank goodness!). Firstly, I LOVE this car. I learned to drive on a Mustang back in '82 though I don't remember what model year that one was exactly. It was fun, but the 2007 seriously rocks. My last two rides were Explorers, so the Mustang was quite a change and took some getting used to, but I LOVE everything about this car now. It's fun to drive, responsive, comfortable mostly (I have looong legs, so getting the seat just right where my arms are comfortable, but my knees are not crammed takes some doing and was way easier in the SUV), the Mustang sound is awesome, as is the Shaker 500 system. Gas mileage is as expected, around 20-21, mixed city and highway. The thing is just FAST, too, and it cruises pretty well at 120mph on the autobahn. Now for the bad news. At 303 miles on the odometer, the check engine light was on. My mechanic reset the computer in the car by disconnecting the battery, and said if it happened again we'd have to replace or reprogram the computer (something about maybe different gas because I'm in Germany with an American spec car?). So of course, it happened again. That time, I had my husband reset the computer, since it was a really bad busy week and I just didn't have time to deal with it right then. No problem since it came on again and I got it to the dealer finally, and they ran a diagnostic, said it might be something in the fuel system, checked it all out (for about 10 minutes), found nothing and sent me on my way with instruction to come back if it happens again.  I hate this dealer, but it's the only place in town that's "approved" by Ford in Cologne to work on American Fords, but that's another rant altogether. So after I left the dealer, I stop to put gas in since I'm getting low. Here's where my real worries begin: Just after I ordered the Mustang, the Stars & Stripes newspaper ran an article about the fuel tank problems that many folks were having with the '05 models. I looked around on the 'Net, and ended up here, and read every thing I could about this and other issues. I can't remember whether I read anything about the '06 models having this issue, but I was glad in the end that I was getting an '07 in any case, figuring that Ford has had all this time to work the bugs out and I wouldn't have to worry about that. Well, I'm here to tell you, the '07 has the same problems. The pump shut off on me today when the tank was only half full. I've read all the tips and tricks to get the thing to take gas when there is this problem, and I tried a different nozzle position and pumped really, really slow about three hours later on my second trip to the pump this afternoon, and was able to get it to take most of the second half of the tank. I didn't fill it all the way up, since I couldn't really tell if it would really stop when it was supposed to since I was trickling the gas in, and I wasn't up for gas all over my pants and the side of the car for the second time today. I'll be taking the car back to the dealer next week about both problems, since I'm sure that the engine light thing is not really solved and now I have this new fuel problem. I'll post an update when I have something. Sorry for the length of this, my first post, but I see a lot of folks in here with the same issues, and some folks thinking about the '07 models, and well, I thought a bit of a review might be helpful and in order. Any of your thoughts would be appreciated! |
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Replying to: 07stanglady (Oct 13, 2006 11:17 am) I suppose you can take it to the dealer and make them fill it up for you if they choose not to fix it. 
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Replying to: 07stanglady (Oct 13, 2006 11:17 am) The computer stores a trouble code when the CEL comes on. The trouble code identifies what the problem is. The problem must then be fixed. A mechanic who says "it might be something in the fuel system" but found nothing in 10 minutes is not doing a proper job.
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Replying to: cccompson (Oct 13, 2006 4:47 pm) When they were looking at the car, the guy in the office came and told me that they did find a loose connector in the fuel system, and reconnected it. However, when my regular mechanic (who works for a Ford dealer who is not "approved" to work on American Fords but has been doing all of my Ford repairs for five years) called the mechanic who worked on my Mustang at the "approved" dealer, he was told that they found nothing, no loose connectors, and fixed nothing. All they did was reset the system. Oh, and it took them 3 hours to even look at my car for that 10 minutes as well, and they left me sitting there wondering what they were doing the whole time.  I'm forced to take my car to the "approved" dealer regardless of the fact that they are crappy service-wise and technically, because my regular dealer won't get paid for the warranty work that they do since they're not on the approved list. That's just wrong. I realize that American cars sometimes need special tools that German dealers may not have, but surely in a city the size of the one I live in, there's another dealer that can be found and put on the "approved" list. The dealer I usually go to is a small town outfit, and the owner doesn't want to pay Ford for all the fees and special tools that they'd require to be "approved" but there has to be someone else in the area that's big enough.
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Replying to: lmm (Oct 13, 2006 12:36 pm) As to making the dealer fill it up, I'll try that too, but it's interesting that what I'm getting from Military Car Sales on this is that some owners just "live with it." Wrong answer, for me. I'm already considering what I'll do if they don't/can't fix the fueling problem. I'd love to tell them to buy it back, but I don't have a clue what the "lemon law" would translate to here in Germany, and I've no idea what I'd buy instead. If I was in the States I'd have more choices, and this was the same quandary I was in when I shopped for a car to begin with: I didn't want to go with another brand because I didn't want to hunt up another mechanic that I like (not to mention the German/English language thing), but now with Ford's "approved" list of warranty work dealers, that criterion is blown right out the window. I could shop for another brand of sports car, but I couldn't get the same kind of price for what I got the Mustang for with an Audi or a BMW. And, I definitely don't think I'd love the car as much.
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Replying to: 07stanglady (Oct 13, 2006 11:48 pm) I am one of the people that were interviewed for the Stars and Stripes article back in May. I can tell you that you will get NO help from Military Car Sales! They will not buy the car back. Owners are not just living with, we have no recourse over here. There are several people here at Ramstein that want to get rid of there car because of the fueling problem but Military Car Sales have said that they can't do anything but change out the tank! I also tried to make the dealer fill it up and don't you know, it was one of the few times that it actually worked without a problem! I have e-mail traffic from various individuals within the Military Car Sales organization and none of them have been any help. I spoke with a German lawyer and he said that I would probably have to hire an engineer that would be able to prove that the tank was defective. I am currently doing research to find out what it would take to sue Ford and Military Car Sales. |
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Early build 2005 Mustangs had a problem with premature fuel pump shut off. The tank was redesigned. The condition may be due to the fuel tank vapor venting system inside the fuel tank. If you are having this problem with 2006 - 2007 Mustangs, Ford claims that it is the pump that is at fault. Ford believes that some pumps deliver fuel at too fast a rate. Ford suggests that you try a different pump. Ford reminds that any modifications or alterations to the vehicle are not covered by warranty and are not recommended. This info is from the two TSBs that are related to the Fuel fill problem. However, the 2007 is suppose to be fine. Mark.
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Replying to: mschmal (Oct 14, 2006 10:01 am) I pumped at two different pumps the day I had the problem, one of which was a pump that I've used successfully prior to having the problem. I don't have a whole lot of options with regard to using a different filling station, mind you, since I can either get my gas at the pumps on the Army post, or I can get it at the Esso station with my gas coupons (or I can't afford to drive it with the prices of gas in Europe!). And the pumps are noticeably slower on the Army post than they are at the Esso, which is why I love to fill at the Esso with my SUV since the tank is big and it takes forever to fill on the Army post. I don't think I'll be getting my gas at the Esso for the Mustang, since the tank will probably choke at the first rush out of the nozzle. My vehicle is only a month old, and despite the fact that I love reading about everyone else's mods, I don't intend to add anything. I just want to drive it without issues, if you please. |
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Since it is fuel vapor that causes the problem, I was wondering if people noticed the pump shutoff to occur more frequently during warmer periods of the day. I know that you should try to buy your gas in the morning because during the day if its a hot day, the gas expands and since you are paying for volume, you don't get your money's worth... I think the problem also occurs more frequently if you try to add gas to a tank that is already half full or more. Mark. |
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Replying to: mschmal (Oct 14, 2006 10:01 am) I also think it's important for all of you to note that this is not unique to the Mustang. A couple of weeks ago I was getting my car filled and while there a guy with a brand new Corvette and someone with an SUV (I think it was a Suburban) were also having problems. The station attendant (in NJ we don't have self-serve) tried maneuvering the pump in different angles until those vehicles were filled. On a recent service apt. at the dealership I overheard a woman complaining about her Mercury having a similar problem.
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