Ford Gt500 problems
The Shelby Mustang is a high-performance variant of the Ford Mustang built by Shelby American from 1965 to 1967 and by the Ford Motor Company from 1968 to 1970.
In 2005, Ford revived the Shelby nameplate for a high-performance model of the fifth-generation Ford Mustang.
1st generation (1965–1970)
1965–1966 Shelby GT350
The 1965–1966 cars were the smallest and lightest of the GT 350 models. Production started when 289 AC Cobra production was wrapping up and 427 AC Cobra production was beginning, both of which were Ford-powered AC-based two-seat sports cars also produced by Shelby American during the same period. Both models use the Cobra emblem, similar paint scheme, and the optional "Cobra" valve covers on many GT350s that were part of a marketing tie-in by Shelby, as well as one of his iconic symbols. All 1965–66 cars had the Windsor 289 cu in (4.7 L) HiPo K-Code 271 hp (202 kW; 275 PS) V8 engine, modified with a large 4-barrel Holley 725 CFM carburetor to produce 306 bhp (310 PS; 228 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 329 lb⋅ft (446 N⋅m) of torque at 4,200 rpm. Marketing literature referred to this engine as the "Cobra hi-riser" due to its high-riser intake manifold. Beginning as a stock Mustang with a 4-speed manual transmission and 9-inch live rear axle, the cars were shipped to Shelby American, where they received the high-riser manifolds, Tri-Y headers, and were given larger Ford Galaxie rear drum brakes with metallic-linings and Kelsey-Hayes front disc brakes.
The 1965 GT350 was not built for comfort or ease of driving. There were 34 "GT350R" race-spec cars built specifically for competition use under SCCA rules, and the model was the B-Production champion for three straight years. The 1966 GT350 was more comfortable for casual drivers, including rear seats, optional colors, and an optional automatic transmission. This trend for more options and luxuries continued in the following years, with the cars becoming progressively larger, heavier, and more comfortable, while losing much of their competitiveness in the process. The 1969 GT350s and GT500s were largely styling modifications to a stock Mustang. By 1969 Carroll Shelby was no longer involved in the Shelby GT program, and the design was done in-house by Ford.
The 1965 and 1966 GT350s were delivered from Ford's San Jose Assembly Plant in body in white form for modification by Carroll Shelby's operation, originally in Venice Beach and later at Los Angeles International Airport. San Jose cars carried an "R" in the Ford VIN denoting that facility. The only year that Shelby Mustangs from the 1960s came from another plant was 1968, where they came from New Jersey, "T" in the VIN, and were modified by A.O. Smith.
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Ford Gt500 model years
Common Ford Gt500 problems
The Ford GT500 has been known to have several common problems that have been reported by owners. One of the most significant issues is related to the engine, as reported by Ford Problems. The GT model ranks 2nd in reliability out of 44 Ford models, with owners making 4 complaints over 4 model years, mostly about engine issues. This includes problems such as paint peeling in the 2006 GT, lost power and acceleration in the 2005 GT, and the car dying while driving in the 2006 GT.
Another issue that has been reported is related to the airbags. According to DealerRater, Ford has recalled certain 2021-2022 Mustang vehicles due to an insufficient weld on the front passenger knee airbag, which may result in an improper airbag deployment. Dealers will replace the front passenger knee airbag free of charge for affected vehicles.
The 2020+ Ford Shelby GT500 Forum has also reported problems with the timing chain tensioner issue on the Voodoo and Predators engines. However, it is unclear whether this issue has been remedied on new 2022 builds.
In addition to these issues, the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has been reported to have poor fuel economy, with a meager 13.4 mpg over the life of ownership, even with long road trips. This car has also been reported to be expensive to maintain, with high costs for oil changes, tires, and other routine maintenance.
Overall, while the Ford GT500 is a high-performance car that offers world-class handling, otherworldly power, and day-to-day usability, it is not without its common problems. Owners have reported issues with the engine, airbags, and fuel economy, as well as high maintenance costs. However, for those prepared to pay to play, the Shelby GT500 remains a must-drive and future classic.
What is the best year of Shelby GT500 to buy?
It changed street sports cars and elevated performance vehicles beyond the racetrack. This vehicle was essentially a street-legal racecar, bringing the speed and thrill of the track wherever the driver went. The 2013 GT500 is probably the best Shelby Mustang in terms of performance and power.
Is Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 good?
The Shelby GT500 isn't just the mightiest Mustang ever, it's also the most powerful road car Ford has ever built. We named it to our 2022 Editors' Choice list, too. Despite the ability to soil people's undergarments on demand, it's still a Mustang at heart, meaning it doubles as a daily driver.
How much is maintenance on a GT500?
Maintenance Summary
| Total routine maintenance costs | $2,451 |
|---|---|
| Scheduled dealer visits | 8 |
| Unscheduled dealer visits | 2 |
| Days out of service | 40 |
| Breakdowns stranding driver | none |
What year is the fastest GT500?
What is the fastest Shelby Mustang GT500 model? - Quora. If you are referring to V-max, then the 2013–2014 GT500 is the fastest model to date with a claimed top speed of over 200 mph although it is rarely achieved. Despite the rarity of going 200 mph+ it is still the fastest Mustang with a top speed at over 190 mph+.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Ford Gt500 years
We have researched Ford problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Ford Gt500 cars and compiled the top 1 most problematic Ford Gt500 model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Ford Gt500 model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Ford Gt500 years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Ford Gt500 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Ford Gt500 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Power train problems
- Equipment problems
- Air bags problems
- Structure problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Ford Gt500 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
The NHTSA has received 9 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Ford Gt500 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Ford Gt500 vehicles.
List of Ford Gt500 complaints
Ford Gt500 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2017-12-05
- Date Complaint: 2017-12-08
- VIN: 1ZVHT88S585
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: MY TREMEC TR56 TRANSMISSION TEARS UP EVERY 600 MI. FORD AND TREMEC ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM WITH SYNCHRONIZERS BREAKING, THEN CAUSING OTHER PARTS TO BREAK BECAUSE OF METAL PIECES MOVING INSIDE TRANSMISSION. I DON'T DRIVE MY SHELBY EVERY DAY. IT ONLY HAS 8054 MILES ON SPEEDOMETER. IF I HAD DROVE MY SHELBY EVERY DAY FOR 30 MILES ( 8054 DIVIDED BY 30 MILES DRIVEN 7 DAYS A WEEK} THIS COMES UP TO 268 DAYS FOR TRANSMISSION TO TEAR UP 3 TIMES. THE FIRST REBUILD WAS AT 6851 MILES THE SECOND REBUILD WAS 511 MILES LATER AND THE THIRD BREAKDOWN WAS 511 MILES LATER. THIS TR6060 TRANSMISSION IS BREAKING DOWN IN G.M. VEHICLES ALSO.
Ford Gt500 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2014-11-19
- Date Complaint: 2015-01-06
- VIN: 1ZVHT88S285
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: (AFFECTED PARTS: MANUAL TRANSMISSION, FLY WHEEL, CLUTCH) TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75MPH IN FAST LANE DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC SEVERAL VEHICLES AHEAD THERE WAS A SUDDEN ACCIDENT SLAMMMED ON BRAKES DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO STOP TRANSFER TRUCK BEHIND ME LOCKED DOWN BRAKES TO AVOID BEING SANDWICHED ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES PRESSED GAS RPMS INCREASED TO REDLINE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE CLUTCH BEGAN SLIPPING ON FLYWHEEL HAD TO DOWN SHIFT AND FEATHER THE CLUTCH AND GAS TO GET VEHICLE MOVING WAS STUCK SIDE WAYS IN TWO LANES WITH APPROACHING TRAFFIC AT HIGH SPEEDS TSB ON VEHICLE FOR SAME ISSUE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO BEING OUT OF WARRANTY RANGE(36MO/36000MI) THIS IS AN EXTREEMLY COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES FORD REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE NOR ISSUE A RECALL COULD HAVE LOST THE LIFE OF MYSELF AND LOVED ONES
Ford Gt500 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2014-03-18
- Date Complaint: 2014-03-18
- VIN: 1ZVHT88S285
- Components: AIR BAGS,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: I OWN A 2008 FORD GT500 I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR NOT SENDING THE PROPER SIGNAL TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG FOR DEPLOYMENT I CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO DISCUSS HAVING THEM MEET A KNOWN RECALL WITH THIS AIRBAG SYSTEM THERE WAS A REPAIR MADE IN 2010 TO THE UNIT HOW EVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE AFTER THE INITIAL REQUEST TO CORRECT THE KNOWN PROBLEM THE SUPERVISOR I SPOKE WITH STATED FORDS FINAL DECISION WOULD BE THAT THEY KNEW THE PROBLEM EXISTED BUT WERE ONLY REQUIRED TO INITIATE A REPAIR ONCE AND EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG STILL EXISTED THEY WERE NOT OBLIGATED AND WOULD NOT MAKE THE REPAIR OR CONTINUE TO DISCUSS CORRECTING THE ISSUE I REQUESTED TO SPEAK WITH SUPERVISORS SUPERIOR AN WERE REFUSED ANY FURTHER ANSWERS OR HELP AND WAS THEN HUNG UP ON THE KNOWN AIRBAG ISSUE INCREASES THE CHANCE OF NECK INJURIES DURING DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG SHOULD THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOY AT ALL OBVIOUSLY FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS NO CONCERN FOR CONTINUING TO PUT PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER BY REFUSING TO REPAIR A KNOWN ISSUE WITH ITS PRODUCT. *TR
Ford Gt500 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2011-04-08
- Date Complaint: 2014-01-11
- VIN: 1ZVHT88S485
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 2008 FORD SHELBY GT500 - CLUTCH ASSY (AR3Z-7B546-AD) BEGAN SLIPPING BADLY AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 26793 MILES. VEHICLE CAME OUT OF WARRANTY SERVICE / REPLACEMENT WITH A VERY PRONOUNCED VIBRATION IN THE POWER-TRAIN. THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS "BREAK-IN" VIBRATIONS FOR THE NEW CLUTCH (SAME PART NUMBER). AT 43719 MILES (AFTER 16926 MILES OF UNABUSIVE AND NORMAL DRIVING / NORMAL WEAR & TARE), THE CLUTCH REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY HAS AGAIN FAILED INTERNALLY, WITH VERY MINIMAL WEAR (HOT SPOTS) EVIDENT ON THE EXTERNAL CLUTCH PLATE SURFACE. I ASKED TO SEE THE CLUTCH BEING REPLACED. AS I EXAMINED IT AND ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PART NUMBERS, THE FORD SERVICE TECHNICIAN ADMITTED TO ME THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY NO LONGER USES THIS SPECIFIC CLUTCH PART NUMBER, DUE TO A NOTED SERIES OF CHRONIC MANUFACTURE AND SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE CLUTCH, AND YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED TO DATE. THE FORD TECHNICIAN ALSO SAID THE CLUTCH WOULD BE REPLACED THIS TIME WITH A NEWER CLUTCH (7R3Z-7L596-A) AT CUSTOMER COST (MY COST), BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, ALTHOUGH THERE WOULD NOW BE A 2YR/UNLIMITED MILES WARRANTY ON THE NEW PARTS AND WORK (DO THE MATH: THERE IS A VERY SERIOUS DISPARITY THERE CONSIDERING THERE WERE ONLY 16926 MILES ON THE LAST CLUTCH WHICH REPLACED, AND IS NOW NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY). ADDITIONALLY, THE FORD SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN CHRONIC MAINTENANCE ISSUES WITH THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLIES IN NEWER MODEL YEAR MUSTANGS (2010 TO 2014), AND THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY THAT I AM NOW GETTING AS A REPLACEMENT? THERE IS A SAFETY & MANUFACTURING ISSUE HERE THAT FORD HAS THUS FAR ATTEMPTED TO PASS ALONG TO ITS CUSTOMER, AND THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETELY FIXED, ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION FROM THE LOCAL FORD SERVICE TECHNICIAN I SPOKE WITH, WHO IS NOW WORKING ON MY VEHICLE. ISSUE A RECALL! *TR
Ford Gt500 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2010-10-26
- Date Complaint: 2010-11-17
- VIN: 1ZVHT88S285
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: GT500 TRANSMISSION WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET INTO 1ST, 2ND AND REVERSE. I OFTEN HAD TO SKIP 2ND GEAR BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. CLUTCH CHATTER WHEN RELEASED CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME EXCESSIVE OVER TIME. CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP IN SUMMER OF 2010 AND TALKED TO SERVICE PERSONNEL ABOUT THE ISSUES AND WAS TOLD OTHER DRIVERS EXPERIENCING SAME SYMPTOMS AND THEY ARE NORMAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MY VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY CLUTCH FAILED FORCING ME OFF THE ROAD. CLUTCH DIAGNOSED AS INOPERABLE AT 16,000 MILES. FORD REFUSED TO WARRANTY STATING IT'S A WEAR ITEM DESPITE ISSUING 4 TSB'S AND REPLACING THE OEM PARTS WITH NEW DESIGNS TO ADDRESS FLAWS. *TR
Ford Gt500 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2009-09-18
- Date Complaint: 2009-09-18
- VIN: 1ZVHT88S985
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I OWN A 2008 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT500 WHICH I PAID $50,000 FOR. I HAVE 22,000 EASILY DRIVEN, WELL MAINTAINED, HIGHWAY MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE DRIVEN EITHER 4 SPEED, 5 SPEED, OR 6 SPEED MUSTANGS FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS. I AM NO NOVICE AT DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION CAR, NOR AM I A NOVICE AT ALL THINGS MUSTANG. DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING, WHILE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY FROM AN ON RAMP, I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO BLEND INTO TRAFFIC. IN DOING SO, THE CAR LOST SPEED AND THE RPMS WENT TO APPROX. 5000. I QUICKLY LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO KEEP FROM GETTING RAN OVER IN THE FAR RIGHT HAND LANE. AFTER FEATHERING THE THROTTLE, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR UP TO SPEED, BUT THE PROBLEM EXISTED THROUGHOUT MY 40 MILE DRIVE, ESPECIALLY EVIDENT WHEN I ENTERED THE CITY OF MY DESTINATION. IT WOULD NOT LAUNCH FROM A STANDSTILL WITHOUT MUCH EFFORT, CLUTCH PLAY AND THROTTLE PLAY. I HAVE LOST A CLUTCH BEFORE, AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO ME. AFTER ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION, I IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE WITH OTHER GT500 OWNERS BECAUSE THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO ME OR TO A CAR WITH 22,000 MILES. COME TO FIND OUT THERE ARE A TON OF 2007-09 GT500 OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS. FORD ISSUED OR SOMEONE ISSUED A TSB 09-9-2 ON THIS AND ONE BEFORE IT. APPARENTLY IT IS AN INHERENT ISSUE WITH THE FLYWHEEL, PRESSURE PLATE, TRANSMISSION, OUTPUT SHAFT DESIGN MATED UP WITH THE DRIVESHAFT WHICH CAN CAUSE THE FLYWHEEL TO WARP AND EVERYTHING ELSE TO BE DESTROYED, IN SOME CASES, EVEN THE TRANSMISSION. NOT ONLY DO I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS ONE COULD BE RAN OVER IF THE CAR WILL NOT GO WHEN SUPPOSED TO AND EVERYONE ELSE DOES, BUT IT IS ALSO AN ISSUE THAT FORD OBVIOUSLY KNOWS ABOUT DUE TO THE FIXES THEY PUT IN THE 2010 MODEL CARS. I BELIEVE A RECALL TO FIX THE FLYWHEEL ISSUE IS VERY WARRANTED AND I BELIEVE IF THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD, THAT THE OLD ONE SHOULD BE FIXED AND RETURNED TO THE OWNER BECAUSE IT HAS THE VIN ON IT. *TR
Ford Gt500 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2008-08-26
- Date Complaint: 2009-01-03
- VIN: 1ZVHT82H285
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING WATER INSIDE SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I JUST TOOK IT BACK FOR THE THIRD TIME TO BE FIXED. THEY CALLED IN AN OUTSIDE COMPANY TO FIX MY LEAKS. *TR
Ford Gt500 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2008-11-22
- Date Complaint: 2008-11-24
- VIN: 1ZVHT88S485
- Components: POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT
- Summary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
Ford Gt500 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2008-10-04
- Date Complaint: 2008-10-13
- VIN: 1ZVHT88S985
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: CAR EXPERIENCED A CLUTCH FAILURE WITH LESS THAN 19,000 MILES ON THE CAR. FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN TRYING TO MERGE WITH HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. CLUTCH SIMPLY LOST ITS CONNECTION WITH THE REAR WHEELS AND THE ENGINE SPEED HAD NO EFFECT. RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE REAR ENDED BY TRAFFIC. QUICK MANEUVERING BY ME ALLOWED ME TO ESCAPE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Are you having problems with your Ford Gt500?
