American muscle icon with modern performance credentials. The naturally aspirated 5.0 Coyote V8 is generally robust and can exceed 200,000 km with proper maintenance, particularly Gen 2 (2018-2023) and Gen 3 (2018-2023) versions. Main concerns center on the MT82 manual transmission, oil cooler failures (especially 2015-2017), A/C evaporator failures (2015-2016), driveline vibrations on early cars, and paint quality issues. The 10R80 automatic transmission is more reliable than the MT82. High fuel consumption (13-17 mpg city, 22-28 mpg highway) and expensive performance tires add to running costs. Independent rear suspension brings wheel hop issues requiring aftermarket fixes for aggressive driving.
The MT82 6-speed manual is the Achilles' heel of the S550 GT. Common issues include difficulty shifting into 3rd and 4th gears, grinding noises, and notchy engagement. The 2018+ models had aluminum shift forks that are prone to breaking under hard use, while 2015-2017 models are generally more reliable. Clutch replacement costs €1,500-1,800 (parts + labor). Full transmission rebuild runs €2,000-4,000. Many owners upgrade to aftermarket short-throw shifters (MGW, Barton) and better fluid to improve feel. Some opt for complete transmission swaps to Tremec units (€5,000-7,000). The 10R80 automatic is significantly more reliable.
Coolant-to-oil heat exchanger leaks internally, mixing fluids and causing catastrophic engine damage · more· less
The factory plate heat exchanger oil cooler is prone to internal failure, allowing coolant and oil to mix. This is particularly common on 2015-2017 models but continues to occur on later years. When this happens, it can cause catastrophic engine failure within hours if not caught immediately. Symptoms include milky oil, low coolant, overheating, and white smoke. Preventative upgrade to an air-cooled oil cooler costs around €1,000 fitted in Europe. If engine damage occurs, repair costs can reach €5,000-8,000 for rebuild or replacement. Ford has a TSB but no recall. This is considered the most serious issue on the S550 platform - many specialists recommend preventative oil cooler upgrade.
A/C evaporator failure (2015-2017)€1,000 - €3,500
Premature evaporator core leaks cause poor A/C performance, white film on windscreen · more· less
2015-2017 models (built before September 2, 2016) suffer from defective A/C evaporator cores that leak refrigerant. Ford issued SSM 47149 acknowledging this issue. Symptoms include poor cooling, white film on windscreen interior, and loss of refrigerant. The evaporator is buried behind the dashboard, requiring 5+ hours labor to access. Parts cost €300-500, but total dealer repair runs €1,000-3,500 depending on negotiation and whether condenser also needs replacement. Ford revised the part for 2017+ production. Some owners report Ford contributing to out-of-warranty repairs if pushed. This is a well-documented defect affecting many early S550s.
Engine consumes oil between changes, characteristic ticking noise from direct injection and VCT · more· less
The Coyote V8 is known for consuming oil - check weekly and expect to add 1 liter between oil changes (every 10,000-15,000 km). This is not necessarily a fault but requires monitoring. The "Coyote tick" is a characteristic ticking/tapping noise from the direct injection fuel system and variable cam timing (VCT) components - this is normal on all Coyote engines 2011-2023. However, excessive ticking can indicate VCT solenoid failure (€150-300 per solenoid), worn cam phasers (€1,000-2,000 to replace), or in rare cases failed rod bearings (€2,500+ for repair). Always use fully synthetic oil (Ford Motorcraft 5W-20 or 5W-30) and quality filters.
Paint bubbling and corrosion€800 - €3,000
Paint bubbles appear on hood edges, wing-to-bumper joints; poor factory paint quality · more· less
S550 Mustangs have notoriously poor paint quality. Common areas for bubbling include hood leading edge, hood vent surrounds, and where front wings meet the bumper. This is caused by poor paint adhesion and stone chip damage on aluminum body panels. Early 2015-2017 cars most affected. Inspect every body panel carefully before purchase. Repair costs €800-1,200 per panel for professional refinishing. Ford's 5-year corrosion warranty may cover some cases if documented early. This is a widespread quality control issue that affects resale value.
Driveline vibration (2015-2017)€500 - €2,000
Two-piece driveshaft causes vibrations, especially after a few thousand kilometers · more· less
Early S550s (2015-2017) commonly develop driveline vibrations from the factory two-piece driveshaft. This typically appears after 3,000-10,000 km. Solutions include professional driveshaft balancing (€200-400), upgraded rubber differential bushings (€300-500 fitted), or complete upgrade to one-piece aluminum driveshaft from Ford Performance or aftermarket (€800-1,500 parts, €500 installation). Most 2018+ models have improved components. Check for vibrations during test drive, particularly at highway speeds (100-120 km/h).
IRS wheel hop and bushing wear€400 - €1,500
Independent rear suspension suffers wheel hop under hard acceleration, stock bushings deflect · more· less
The S550's independent rear suspension (IRS) brings improved handling but also classic Mustang wheel hop, especially during hard launches. Stock rubber bushings allow too much differential movement. The factory stamped steel vertical links and toe links flex under load. For street driving this is tolerable, but spirited driving or drag racing requires upgrades: IRS bushings upgrade (€200-400), upgraded vertical links (€300-600), subframe braces (€200-400). Never install polyurethane bushings in upper control arms - this causes binding and chassis damage. For high-power applications (500+ hp), upgraded half shafts are necessary (€800-1,200).
Harsh shifting, hesitation, valve body contamination; better than MT82 but not flawless · more· less
The 10-speed automatic (10R80) introduced in 2018 is generally reliable but has some documented issues. Common complaints include harsh shifting, hesitation, and slipping - often resolved by PCM software updates (free at dealer). Valve body contamination from metal particles can cause erratic behavior (€2,000-3,000 to replace). Torque converter shudder at light throttle (€1,500-2,500 replacement). Ford has issued multiple TSBs and software updates. Park safety recall in 2022-2023 models for loose bolt. Only use Mercon ULV fluid - wrong fluid causes damage. Despite issues, most owners report 100,000+ km trouble-free operation. This transmission is much more reliable than the MT82 manual.
Ignition coil and spark plug failures€180 - €400
Coil-on-plug failures from heat, misfires, rough running; replace in sets · more· less
Ignition coils fail due to high heat from the Coyote's dual overhead cam design. Symptoms include misfires, rough idle, check engine light with codes P030X. Individual coil replacement costs €180-260 (parts + labor), but replacing all 8 coils costs €600-800 at dealer. Spark plugs should be replaced every 80,000-100,000 km (€230-320 for complete set with labor). Failed spark plugs accelerate coil failure. Common on high-mileage examples or those driven hard. Use OEM Motorcraft or quality aftermarket (NGK, Denso) parts.
IMRC intake manifold runner control failure€300 - €1,200
Gen 2 Coyote (2015-2017) IMRC actuator rod snaps, loses function on one bank · more· less
The Gen 2 Coyote (2015-2017 GT) uses IMRC butterfly valves in the intake manifold to optimize airflow. The plastic actuator rod can snap, causing loss of IMRC function on one bank. Symptoms include reduced power at low RPM, rough idle, check engine light with codes P2004-P2008. Repair involves replacing the actuator assembly (€300-500 parts, €200-400 labor) or installing aftermarket repair kit (€150-250). Some owners delete the IMRC system entirely with aftermarket intake manifolds. This is a known weak point on Gen 2 engines. Gen 3 (2018+) has revised design with fewer failures.
Reasonably reliable V8 muscle car, but not trouble-free
The 5.0 Coyote engine is generally robust and can exceed 200,000 km with proper maintenance. Gen 2 (2015-2017) and Gen 3 (2018-2023) engines have different characteristics - Gen 3 is generally more refined. The MT82 manual transmission and oil cooler are the main reliability concerns. 2018+ models with the 10-speed automatic are recommended for better reliability. Early 2015-2016 cars have more issues (A/C, driveline vibration) that were largely resolved by 2017-2018. Budget for higher running costs due to fuel consumption and performance tire wear.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete records essential. Verify 10,000 km oil changes with synthetic oil (5W-20 or 5W-30). Check for any Ford TSB updates applied.
Tires
Performance tires wear fast - check tread depth (legal minimum 1.6mm, replace at 3mm). Verify tire age from date codes. Expect €800-1,200 for full set of quality tires.
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen for excessive ticking (some tick is normal), rough idle, or smoke.
Body condition
Inspect every body panel for paint bubbling, especially hood edges and wing-to-bumper joints. Check for accident damage or paint mismatch.
Test drive
Minimum 30 minutes including highway speeds to check for driveline vibration, transmission behavior, and brake performance.
Specific for this vehicle
Check oil and coolant condition carefully
Look for milky oil (oil cooler failure) or low coolant. Pull dipstick - oil should be clean amber/brown, not milky or frothy. This is critical - oil cooler failure destroys engines.
MT82 transmission operation (if manual)
Test all gears, especially 3rd and 4th. Listen for grinding, check for notchy shifts. Test when cold and hot. 2018+ check shift fork condition if possible. Consider 10-speed automatic for better reliability.
Test A/C performance thoroughly (2015-2017)
Run A/C for 15+ minutes. Should blow very cold. Check for white film on windscreen interior (evaporator leak sign). Weak cooling indicates expensive repair.
Highway driveline vibration test
Drive at 100-120 km/h for extended period. Check for vibrations through seat/steering. Particularly important on 2015-2017 models.
Paint inspection on all aluminum panels
Carefully inspect hood (especially edges and vents), wings, and bumper mounting points for paint bubbling or lifting. Use strong light and check from multiple angles.
Check engine oil level and consumption
Ask owner about oil consumption between services. Coyote engines use some oil - verify owner monitors this weekly.
IRS bushings and suspension noise
Test hard acceleration from stop (if safe). Listen for clunking from rear (worn bushings). Check for wheel hop. Ask about any aftermarket IRS upgrades.
Verify oil cooler has been upgraded (recommended)
Ask if preventative oil cooler upgrade has been done. This is cheap insurance against catastrophic engine failure. Check for aftermarket air-cooled unit.
Check for TSB and recall completion
Verify with Ford dealer using VIN that all recalls and major TSBs have been completed (oil cooler, A/C evaporator, IMRC, etc.).
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
2015: 11 NHTSA recalls including various safety itemsVerify completed
SSM 47149: A/C evaporator leak (2015-2017 built before Sept 2016)TSB - not recall
Valve cover gasket oil leak (2015-2017 5.0L)TSB available
3-4 shift fork breakage (2018 MT82 manual)TSB available
10R80 park safety issue (2022-2023 models)Recall 25V-164
2017 driver door handle return springRecall - verify
Contact Ford dealer with VIN to verify all recalls completed. The A/C evaporator TSB is particularly important for 2015-2017 models - while not a recall, Ford has contributed to repairs when pushed. Request complete TSB history for the specific VIN.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years/60,000 miles)Expired on all 2015-2020 models
Powertrain warranty (5 years/60,000 miles)Check individually by year
Extended warranty (Ford Protect)Available for purchase
Most S550 Mustangs are now outside factory warranty. Extended warranty through Ford Protect is available but expensive for performance vehicles. Independent warranty providers may exclude performance driving or modifications. If paint bubbling is present and car is under 5 years old, corrosion warranty may apply - document thoroughly and contact Ford.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.