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2004 Ford Mustang

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Mustang.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2004 Ford Mustang is a passenger car whose powertrain maintenance centers on a 5.0-quart oil capacity specified at 5W-20 API viscosity, anchoring the mechanical baseline for this model year. With 130 total owner complaints led by Vehicle Speed Control as the top complaint area and six recalls on record, the 2004 sits well below the 868-complaint peak that arrived with the 2005 model year. Across the Mustang's documented complaint history spanning 1990 through 2026, this positions the 2004 on the quieter side of the model's reliability arc, meaning researchers evaluating this year face a comparatively modest complaint profile relative to the model year that followed.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-105 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-55R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	183.1 in
Overall width	73.2 in
Overall height	53.5 in
Wheelbase	101.2 in
Curb weight	3210 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.2 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	58/42

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Mustang of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.0–11.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.00 sec — 2012 Boss 302 Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2003	Mach 1 Premium Coupe 4.6L V8	4.70 sec	13.20 sec	305 hp	RWD
2003	Mach 1 Premium Coupe 4.6L V8	5.20 sec	14.00 sec	305 hp	RWD
2003	Mach 1 Premium Coupe 4.6L V8	5.30 sec	13.80 sec	305 hp	RWD
2003	Mach 1 Premium Coupe 4.6L V8	5.30 sec	13.80 sec	305 hp	RWD
2003	Mach 1 Premium Coupe 4.6L V8	5.60 sec	13.88 sec	305 hp	RWD
2005	GT Premium Coupe 4.6L V8	4.80 sec	13.30 sec	300 hp	RWD
2005	GT Premium Convertible 4.6L V8	5.00 sec	13.70 sec	300 hp	RWD
2005	GT Coupe 4.6L V8	5.10 sec	13.50 sec	300 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-105 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	11.8
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	24 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-105 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	258 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	258 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	240 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 740, AT: 715 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	MT: 40, AT: 15 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 740, AT: 715 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	MT: 40, AT: 15 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	SOHC: 680, DOHC: 690, ALL OTHERS: 655 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	SOHC: 20, DOHC: 60, ALL OTHERS: 25 rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.17 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	8.60 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	540 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	59

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	189-196 °F
Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	189-196 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	30.0-55.0
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	35-45

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	85 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	95 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

59 ft. lbs., step 2: 720 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 90

59 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

37 ft. lbs., 90

37 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	15 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
3	37 ft. lbs.; Perform following 3 steps on each bolt; before moving to next bolt in sequence	37 ft. lbs
1	back off 2-3 turns
2	if long	33 ft. lbs
3	turn 180 degrees Proceed to next bolt in sequence	180 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	loosen 1 turn
4	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees	90 degrees
6	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	loosen 1 turn
4	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees	90 degrees
6	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	14 ft. lbs.	14 ft. lbs
2	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
3	36 ft. lbs.; Perform following 3 steps on each bolt; before moving to next bolt in sequence	36 ft. lbs
1	loosen 2-3 turns
2	if long bolt	30–37 ft. lbs
3	turn 175-185 degrees; Proceed to next bolt in sequence	175–185 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 Ford Mustang recorded 130 federal complaints, 6 recalls, and 33 technical service bulletins, with vehicle speed control (34 complaints) and airbags (11 complaints) being the primary areas of concern alongside 24 crash-related complaints. Across the 1994-2004 generation, complaint volumes peaked early at 701 in 1995 before steadily declining, ultimately positioning the 2004 model at the very bottom of this downward trend. Compared to the preceding 2003 model year (271 complaints) and the subsequent 2005 redesign (868 complaints), the 2004 Mustang demonstrates significantly fewer reported issues than either adjacent year. While the data does not specify the root cause of the speed control and airbag complaints, the low overall volume implies that most of the generation's early engineering flaws had been resolved by this final production year. Consequently, the 2004 Mustang is an excellent year to buy, offering the most statistically stable and refined option within its generation while successfully avoiding the steep complaint spike that accompanied the 2005 redesign.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

130

Owner complaints

24 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03’04’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 130 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control34

Unknown Or Other17

Air Bags11

Engine & Engine Cooling6

Service Brakes, Hydraulic6

Power Train5

Tires5

Suspension5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 33 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SSM 46085	2016-09-21	Engine And Engine Cooling	The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing…
07212	2007-10-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG…
06216	2006-01-01	Power Train	LIMITED SLIP AXLE CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING SENSATION, OR VIBRATION DURING LOW SPEED…
06513	2006-01-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	ENGINE MISFIRE WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) PEWEE, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305…
041601	2005-11-14	Engine And Engine Cooling	WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Mustang. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 59 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Mustang take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Mustang have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.