8.0
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $270
- Average Mileage:
- 96,550 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 3 complaints
Most common solutions:
- have to replace the housing (3 reports)
This is the 3rd time in the last year I have had to change the crappy thermostat housing on this car. There is a an issue here and Ford does not care
- quintinlee, Watsonville, CA, US
Just pulled out of my driveway to go to a charity walk in the city and I smelled antifreeze. Big Time. I turned around and pulled back in my drive. Antifreeze was sprayed all over my engine. I had a warranty on my car that I had paid for so I had it towed to the dealership. It ends up it would not pay for it. I have since found out that Ford used a not so great thermostat housing with a seam in it that can come apart in the Mustang and Explorer. This happened at 51,000 mi. I was fortunate that I was somewhere safe (just left the house) where I could immediately get the car off the road before it got hot and cause further damage. I have read up a little on it and it seems this is a problem that happens to a lot of people and I wish they would make a better part. I was told the thermostat and housing is in one unit and since my warranty did not pay for a thermostat....it would not pay for any of it. I wish they would recall this part and replace it with a good reliable sturdy housing. Mustangs aren't cheap. It's ridiculous to run into this problem. It could have ruined an engine or left me stranded somewhere I didn't want to be. Ford has to know about it. (the dealer's mechanic told me the same thing I read up on...Mustangs and Explorers have this housing that is known to crack) They need to man up and fix it.
- ksc, Lynchburg, OH, US
Easy to fix on your own but it definitely takes time. It's a known issue due to the material of the housing. You'll usually notice a coolant leak and can pinpoint where the leak is coming from. I had to replace the housing, thermostat, and the O-rings on the thermostat and sensor. Usually people change the sensor, too. But, it's not necessary if it still works.
- J C., Charlotte, NC, US