New Mustang v6 (no mods) suffers driveshaft failure, talk about cost cutting!

Everyone's been praising the new 305 bhp V6 Mustang, which will get you a 14.0 @ 104 mph for about $23k. Ford has been marketing them as a legitimate racing machine, even offering serious brake and suspension upgrades as one of the options, as well as the option of GT-spec gears and a factory GT-spec LSD. One such car, which cost about $26k, beat the 2011 WRX STi and the R-spec Genesis Coupe around VIR in a magazine test (C&D maybe). The thing is nearly identical to last years GT in performance, but can be had for less than a base model Camry.

Yet all is not well in the land of the sub-25k sports-car, the car clearly has some well hidden flaws. This guy removed the speed-limiter (set to 115) to see how fast he could go on the desert roads. The car was stock aside from that. Once he got to about 130 mph you could hear the driveshaft start to bow, and then totally failed at around 135 mph.

Mirrored video (original was removed):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qWhxYElSW0

Original Description:

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Originally Posted by jonkolo13

I had an opportunity to drive my Mustang on a closed road at high speeds and this is what happened. Apparently the standard tires are not the only reason for the car being limited to such a sub performance speed of 113MPH. (Even slower then Ford's Fiesta and Focus models = 118MPH) My stock driveshaft failed at about 135MPH, so if these cars are run flat out in the real world without the ridiculous speed governor to keep them together, the drivetrain is not actually designed to handle the power of the engine. Major damage caused by the broken shaft included a hole in the metal floorpan, major exhaust system and muffler damage, broken transmission shifter, broken parking brake, broken interior plastic trim parts, etc. My 1997 Mustang Cobra could run 152MPH for unlimited time periods and this new car only held together for about 15 seconds under full throttle!!! Give me a break!!! The drivetrain is a REALLY BAD place to cut costs for a net profit $, especially on a 305HP Mustang! I really hope that Ford makes a change to the V6 drivetrain for 2013. After all, many of these cars are driven regularly on the German Autobahn and a failure like this could be very dangerous! Solution = Ditch the governor and install a decent driveshaft! Even a 23K Honda Civic can go 137MPH without breaking!!! Come on!!! This is my 5'th Mustang and my 1'st major failure. This is totally unacceptable for a performance car!

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Cheap bastards! As someone on reddit said, I wonder if they plan to sell these cars to the Germans, I doubt many autobahn cruisers are willing to settle for 115 mph.

That sound at the end was horrifying. Looks like it was built Ford tough.

wow that's a scary sound to hear when doing 135mph. Some smart person will create driveshafts capable of much higher speeds and will make a killing.

MAJOR fail. i have even MORE legit reasons to hate on rustangs now.

Not the first time this has happened. The 05 Mustang has the same issues with Drive shaft failure at only 110mph cause they only peened the u-joints bearing caps in place. Later years they actually used retaining clips.

Has anyone else reported similar problems?

Damn...that's gonna be an expensive fix.

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Originally Posted by DrGonzo

Not the first time this has happened. The 05 Mustang has the same issues with Drive shaft failure at only 110mph cause they only peened the u-joints bearing caps in place. Later years they actually used retaining clips.

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your car looks like domo

Just to play devils advocate, you think Ford put the 115mph speed limiter in there for a reason? Maybe they knew the driveshaft couldn't handle higher speeds? Just sayin is all.

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Originally Posted by Telionis

As someone on reddit said, I wonder if they plan to sell these cars to the Germans, I doubt many autobahn cruisers are willing to settle for 115 mph.

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And easy trip to Startseite Ford-Werke GmbH | Ford Deutschland shows that the Mustang is not available for sale in Germany.

I didn't know people bought the V6 models for performance. Learn something everyday!

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Originally Posted by BigTyla

I didn't know people bought the V6 models for performance. Learn something everyday!

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i don't really think you could consider any domestic v6 a "performance engine" before the current crop of coupes. the last domestic 6 that was worth a damn was the syclone--and that was a freakin truck.

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Originally Posted by BigTyla

I didn't know people bought the V6 models for performance. Learn something everyday!

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Woah, woah woah... You mean to tell me that if I intentionally modify this car it might catastrophically break something in the drive train? Are we upset because it hits so close to home (t-cases)? The car gives you great bang for your buck. Oh no! you'll have to spend $500 (or less, c'mon, its a Mustang) on a drive shaft if you want to go balls deep into triple digits on a public road in your econo sports car... FORD SUKS!1

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Originally Posted by AdamVR4

Woah, woah woah... You mean to tell me that if I intentionally modify this car it might catastrophically break something in the drive train? Are we upset because it hits so close to home (t-cases)? The car gives you great bang for your buck. Oh no! you'll have to spend $500 (or less, c'mon, its a Mustang) on a drive shaft if you want to go balls deep into triple digits on a public road in your econo sports car... FORD SUKS!1

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Oh, I totally agree. I'm not saying the V6 Mustang isn't a great buy, I just had no idea it had such a following as described by the OP. I thought almost everyone aiming for performance grabbed the V8 and left the V6 for the girls. Classically, that's the way it's always been, but then again the V6s back then didn't boast over 300hp.

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Originally Posted by BigTyla

Oh, I totally agree. I'm not saying the V6 Mustang isn't a great buy, I just had no idea it had such a following as described by the OP. I thought almost everyone aiming for performance grabbed the V8 and left the V6 for the girls. Classically, that's the way it's always been, but then again the V6s back then didn't boast over 300hp.

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haha... I hear ya. Your post just motivated me to further question the outrage present in this thread.

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Originally Posted by AdamVR4

Woah, woah woah... You mean to tell me that if I intentionally modify this car it might catastrophically break something in the drive train? Are we upset because it hits so close to home (t-cases)? The car gives you great bang for your buck. Oh no! you'll have to spend $500 (or less, c'mon, its a Mustang) on a drive shaft if you want to go balls deep into triple digits on a public road in your econo sports car... FORD SUKS!1

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The Mustang (even a V6) is still a pony car. I don't think it's a stretch to say that Ford intended the V6 car to be for the dragstrip too, I mean come on, putting the rev limiter just a tick above what the car can do in the quarter? They marketed the car as being a muscle car, even with the V6. Our cars went 160 stock with our TC's (and can hit 180 fairly easily with no drivetrain mods.) I don't know much about Mustangs so I was surprised to hear just how low that rev limiter is considering the horsepower. To me, that definitely says they were aware the drivetrain isn't suitable for the power of the engine.

WOw, that sounded horrible.

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Originally Posted by BigTyla

I thought almost everyone aiming for performance grabbed the V8 and left the V6 for the girls.

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Hey wait now.... I got a V6 mustang but only got the V6 as back when I bought it gas was through the roof, so I needed something economical. Plus I knew it would beat the older model stock GT's.....LOL I was pissed to find out about the Drive train problems but all in all it is my DD. It's pretty decent on gas and it's got enough power to make me happy on my 2 hour round trip to work every day. It's quite comfortable for me being 6'2" and it rides pretty decent. On the plus side I have not had a single issue with it and it's about to turn 100k.

I still prefer driving my Stealth any day!!!! :P

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Originally Posted by DrGonzo

Hey wait now.... I got a V6 mustang but only got the V6 as back when I bought it gas was through the roof, so I needed something economical. Plus I knew it would beat the older model stock GT's.....LOL I was pissed to find out about the Drive train problems but all in all it is my DD. It's pretty decent on gas and it's got enough power to make me happy on my 2 hour round trip to work every day. It's quite comfortable for me being 6'2" and it rides pretty decent. On the plus side I have not had a single issue with it and it's about to turn 100k.

I still prefer driving my Stealth any day!!!! :P

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All of the reasons you stated are fine reasons to buy a V6. I just think of modding the V6 platform as analogous to the n/a guys here trying to dump money into their cars to compete with TTs when it's obvious that the TT is the much stronger platform.

^^^^ Got Ya!!!

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Originally Posted by BigTyla

I didn't know people bought the V6 models for performance. Learn something everyday!

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Considering that the v6 version outruns a stock VR4 :( and last generation's 260 hp Mustang GT v8 on the highway (104 mph traps) and on a road course (believe me, it hurts to say, but even the STi got beat). I'd say people do indeed buy them for performance. They are damn near identical to last year's V8, which people considered pretty respectable.

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Originally Posted by IPD

i don't really think you could consider any domestic v6 a "performance engine" before the current crop of coupes. the last domestic 6 that was worth a damn was the syclone--and that was a freakin truck.

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Indeed, but the current generation is top notch. All three Detroit powers now offer 300+ hp v6 engines. They are quite advanced too, usually DOHC, 24-valve engines with variable timing and direct injection, etc. That puts them on par with last generation's 350z and Hyundai's current 3.8L Genesis Coupe. It is also way too close [for Nissan's comfort] to the current 370z. For a base engine, that is pretty freaking respectable, especially considering just a year ago the GT got similar power levels from a V8 (as did our beloved VR4s).

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Originally Posted by AdamVR4

Woah, woah woah... You mean to tell me that if I intentionally modify this car it might catastrophically break something in the drive train?

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LOL. Not even the Integra owners consider removing the speed governor to be a real mod. This is nothing like putting 860 cc injectors and 20g turbos on a VR4 and destroying the stock transfer-case (bad syncros != exploding driveshaft). Ford advertised this car as a performance vehicle. They claim it is in every way comparable to last year's GT, which is why they specifically offered GT suspension, gears, LSD and brakes as an add-on. As such, there is no excuse for them to skimp out on such a consequential part of the drive-train.

Ford was marketing the v6 as a cheaper, but similarly performing, alternative to the Genesis 3.8, which is capable of reaching 149 mph safely. To imply that their product is comparable, despite it literally falling apart at 135, is downright disingenuous. My Dad's 92 Maxima SE could do 137 mph (according to the magazines), for a "performance" sports-car to self-destruct at speeds that a 20 year old Maxima can handle is downright unacceptable.

Frankly, I consider it a textbook example of bad engineering. A car should never be capable of going fast enough to fall apart. When it comes to top speed, or any performance category for that matter, the limiting factor should always be the car's capabilities (power, drag, gears, grip, etc.), it should never be safety.

I'm surprised that you consider this engineering disparity acceptable just because it is so unintrusive. Yes, admittedly, you have no business doing 115+, but that is not the point at all. Imagine if the problem was more obvious: "don't use the brakes to their fullest extent or the caliper brackets will snap" or "don't ever go WOT because the differential will break, saying "never go as fast as the car is capable of going because the driveshaft will shatter is just as preposterous.

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Originally Posted by AdamVR4

Oh no! you'll have to spend $500 (or less, c'mon, its a Mustang) on a drive shaft if you want to go balls deep into triple digits on a public road in your econo sports car... FORD SUKS!1

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I'd be very weary to drive the car aggressively now. Even if you upgrade the driveshaft, who knows what else they skimped on. Maybe you go WOT at the drag-strip and the flywheel explodes... Maybe the suspension is held together with hot glue...

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Originally Posted by Telionis

Considering that the v6 version outruns a stock VR4 :( and last generation's 260 hp Mustang GT v8 on the highway (104 mph traps) and on a road course (believe me, it hurts to say, but even the STi got beat). I'd say people do indeed buy them for performance. They are damn near identical to last year's V8, which people considered pretty respectable.

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Agreed, but I'm not comparing across platforms, I'm comparing within.

What I'm wondering is if the potential of the V6 platform outweighs the performance difference between it and the V8. In other words, could you invest the difference in cost between the V6 and V8 models in a turbo or supercharger for the V6 and spank the V8s ass?

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Originally Posted by BigTyla

Agreed, but I'm not comparing across platforms, I'm comparing within.

What I'm wondering is if the potential of the V6 platform outweighs the performance difference between it and the V8. In other words, could you invest the difference in cost between the V6 and V8 models in a turbo or supercharger for the V6 and spank the V8s ass?

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not likely. it's not like they ripped the v6 directly from an ecoboost & simply made it N/A. now slap an ecoboost from an f-150 in there, and you've got a sleeper of biblical proportions...especially once you tweak it a bit. you have MUCH greater bang for the buck by simply buying a GT in the first place. that said, with a GT, there's little upward room you have--unless you spend $$$$$$$ on forced induction. i think the 6's have better hope--at least if said ecoboost transplants are pretty straightforward and somewhat inexpensive.

Warranty void!

(i wanna see pics of the damage!!)

EDIT: The new mustang V6 is like when you dip a chip in some salsa and it breaks.

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Originally Posted by BigTyla

Agreed, but I'm not comparing across platforms, I'm comparing within.

What I'm wondering is if the potential of the V6 platform outweighs the performance difference between it and the V8. In other words, could you invest the difference in cost between the V6 and V8 models in a turbo or supercharger for the V6 and spank the V8s ass?

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I might have considered that, if the v6 was built well. It'd be like comparing the Genesis turbo 4 with the v6, for $4k the 2.0T should be able to smoke the 3.8. This v6 Mustang might very well do the same, have a notable hp advantage and outrun the V8 for a few grand. BUT, performance is irrelevant if the car is poorly built. Considering what we've seen here, I'd be blown away if the rest of the v6 could handle 400 bhp. If the GT was built like a tank, I'd think that that alone would be worth the difference in price, even if the power and stock performance was the same.

Frankly I wouldn't even consider a v6 stang now (even though I wanted one of the new ones for a while). I'd never even dream of modifying it, the thing falls apart with stock hp, what would it do with a s/c on top?

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Originally Posted by Telionis

...saying "never go as fast as the car is capable of going because the driveshaft will shatter is just as preposterous..

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It's capable of 115 mph :p

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Originally Posted by AdamVR4

It's capable of 115 mph :p

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So was my mother's 1989 Lincoln Towncar. The brakes, unfortunately, weren't up to the task...

:wink:

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Originally Posted by IPD

not likely. it's not like they ripped the v6 directly from an ecoboost & simply made it N/A. now slap an ecoboost from an f-150 in there, and you've got a sleeper of biblical proportions...especially once you tweak it a bit. you have MUCH greater bang for the buck by simply buying a GT in the first place. that said, with a GT, there's little upward room you have--unless you spend $$$$$$$ on forced induction. i think the 6's have better hope--at least if said ecoboost transplants are pretty straightforward and somewhat inexpensive.

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Actually the 3.7L in the Mustang is pretty much an N/A version of the EcoBoost. They use the same block, the 3.7 is just bored 3mm over. I believe they also both have forged rotating assy's too. I think the 3.7 uses an 11:1 compression ratio, and the EcoBoost is 10:1, so not far off there either.

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Originally Posted by AdamVR4

Has anyone else reported similar problems?

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I mean, maybe I'm just getting old..but I too reserve my lettuce and tomato throwing for actual confirmed problems.

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Originally Posted by aaronatstate

Actually the 3.7L in the Mustang is pretty much an N/A version of the EcoBoost. They use the same block, the 3.7 is just bored 3mm over. I believe they also both have forged rotating assy's too. I think the 3.7 uses an 11:1 compression ratio, and the EcoBoost is 10:1, so not far off there either.

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well that's great. if you can direct transplant it, it's worth it. it's NOT worth it if you have to tear down the damn block so you can alter the compression; although to be honest, if you DID do that, you could lower the compression to 8:1 and start spanking vipers with some upgraded turbos. :p

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Originally Posted by AudibleSilence

I mean, maybe I'm just getting old..but I too reserve my lettuce and tomato throwing for actual confirmed problems.

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Saw a video of a v6 Stang having catastrophic driveshaft failure on a dyno at 135 mph...

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Originally Posted by AudibleSilence

I mean, maybe I'm just getting old..but I too reserve my lettuce and tomato throwing for actual confirmed problems.

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according to jalopnik front page, there are 4 videos of v6 mustangs blowing driveshafts so far (two on dynos), and more anecdotal evidence.

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Originally Posted by i3igpete

according to jalopnik front page, there are 4 videos of v6 mustangs blowing driveshafts so far (two on dynos), and more anecdotal evidence.

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the v6 mustang driveshaft is the new GT-R transmission?

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Originally Posted by IPD

the v6 mustang driveshaft is the new v8 mustang transmission?

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Fixed.

So if you want to disable the FACTORY speed limiter, and want to drive it beyond the FACTORY suggested limit, you need to upgrade the driveshaft... Sorry just playing devils advocate again :)

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Originally Posted by aaronatstate

So if you want to disable the FACTORY speed limiter, and want to drive it beyond the FACTORY suggested limit, you need to upgrade the driveshaft... Sorry just playing devils advocate again :)

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Devils advocate be damned, if they are ripping apart at 125mph, it's almost a guarantee that a catastrophic failure could also occur with repeated 0-60 launches or multiple 1/4 mile runs with no mods whatsoever.

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Originally Posted by UTRacerX9

Devils advocate be damned, if they are ripping apart at 125mph, it's almost a guarantee that a catastrophic failure could also occur with repeated 0-60 launches or multiple 1/4 mile runs with no mods whatsoever.

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Who buys a V6 Mustang to race in the first place? LOL If you want to race it, gotta upgrade the driveshaft first!

Who in their right mind would ever race a car with a V6?

Oh, wait. :(

Have those guys on the mustang forums calculated the critical speed of their shafts yet? It looks awful thin for it's diameter.

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Originally Posted by OBXBoost

Who in their right mind would ever race a car with a V6?

Oh, wait. :(

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Meh if it was the EcoBoost V6 in the Mustang, I'd probably get one. A Twin Turbo V6 is a lot diff than a N/A V6 :)

If I ever get a new V6 Mustang, first thing I'm doing is putting a Shelby driveshaft in it!