The Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic cars in the U.S. From the early ’60s to today’s market, the Ford Mustang has enjoyed great popularity generation after generation. Even while Ford reinvented it for each generation, it retained its identity and kept itself recognizable as the Ford Mustang.

If you’re shopping for a Ford Mustang, new or old, how long can you expect it to last? What are the common problems Mustang owners have encountered with the car?

How long will your Ford Mustang last?

According to Motor and Wheels, an average Ford Mustang can make it to 200,000 miles. They explain that with the proper care and attention to maintenance, it can go even longer.

One owner of a 1996 Mustang GT got 300,000 miles out of it with only clutch problems during his ownership. Another Mustang owner maintained that he got 400,000 miles out of his Mustang with no major repairs at all.

Who wouldn’t want a car they could keep running for that long? In most cases, the Mustang, like any vehicle may experience trouble. What are common problems Ford Mustangs experience that as an owner you may have to deal with?

Common Ford Mustang problems

Thanks to aging and weather exposure with the chemicals that accompany it, all vehicles will eventually rust. According to Motor and Wheels, most will see rust on their Ford Mustang 10 to 12 years after production. Most commonly, it will start with the hood and the rear axle. 

According to consumer site CarComplaints.com, the biggest problem that plagues the Ford Mustang involves its paint. They have received several complaints about corrosion on the hood. On their severity scale of one to 10, it earns a seven for being fairly significant. 

The problem usually occurs around 48,000 miles and costs around $1,700 for the repair. The paint is prone to blistering too and usually, the repair involves replacing the hood entirely. 

CarComplaints.com explains that the worst model year of Ford Mustang for problems is 2010.

It’s all about maintenance

The team at Motor and Wheels explains that Mustangs are prone to rust because Ford doesn’t apply undercoating before the cars are sent out to the market. They recommend applying an undercoating if you buy a Mustang new and before you start driving it to help remedy this problem.

They go on to explain that if your Mustang’s rear axle is showing rust, there is a way to delay it using wax and undercoating. They recommend keeping your Ford Mustang out of the snow to prevent it from rusting that much faster.

They explain that it’s not unusual for the paint problems to occur within the first three years after production. If you spot rust on your Mustang within that time frame, you’ll need to take it to your local Ford dealership to replace the hood. Within the three-year warranty, the replacement should be covered at no cost.

To maintain your Mustang, Motor and Wheels suggest keeping it in an indoor garage to protect it from the elements when it’s not on the road. This also protects your tires from sun exposure and helps them last longer. They also recommend applying wax to your car from time to time.

Cover all your bases by keeping the battery charged. Monitor your Mustang’s fluids on a regular basis. Determine how often you should be taking your Mustang in for routine service and stick to the schedule strictly. Oil changes are important.

By being proactive in the maintenance of your car, and taking a few preventive steps if you can, you can enjoy it for many years and many miles to come.