The 1980 to 2021 model years of the Ford Mustang has both timing belts and timing chains. It has also had both interference and non-interference engines.
A combustion engine relies on either a timing belt or timing chain to maintain the proper timing and distance between its pistons and the intake valves and exhaust valves in the combustion chamber.
An old or damaged timing belt is prone to failure, which could lead to catastrophic engine damage and an expensive repair bill. A timing chain is less prone to failure but should still be inspected by a licensed mechanic once the engine has 60,000 or more miles.
It is generally recommended to change the timing belt starting at 60,000 miles, whereas a timing chain is usually good for the life of the vehicle.
Scroll down for the timing belt data for your particular Ford Mustang.
| Year | Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference | Service Interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbocharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2021 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2020 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbocharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2020 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2020 | 5.2L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2020 | 5.2L V8 Supercharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2019 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbocharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2019 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2019 | 5.2L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2018 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbocharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2018 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2018 | 5.2L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2017 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbocharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2017 | 3.7L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2017 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2017 | 5.2L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2016 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbocharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2016 | 3.7L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2016 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2016 | 5.2L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| Year | Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference | Service Interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 3.7L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2015 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2015 | 5.8L V8 Supercharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2014 | 3.7L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2014 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2014 | 5.8L V8 Supercharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2013 | 3.7L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2013 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2013 | 5.8L V8 Supercharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2012 | 3.7L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2012 | 4.6L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2012 | 5.4L V8 Supercharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2011 | 3.7L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2011 | 4.6L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2011 | 5.4L V8 Supercharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2010 | 4.0L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2010 | 4.6L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2010 | 5.4L V8 Supercharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2009 | 4.0L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2009 | 4.6L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2009 | 5.4L V8 Supercharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| Year | Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference | Service Interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 4.0L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2008 | 4.6L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2008 | 5.4L V8 Supercharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2007 | 4.0L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2007 | 4.6L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2007 | 5.4L V8 Supercharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2006 | 4.0L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2006 | 4.6L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2006 | 5.4L V8 Supercharged | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2005 | 4.0L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2005 | 4.6L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2004 | 3.8L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2004 | 3.9L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2004 | 4.6L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2003 | 3.8L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2003 | 4.6L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2002 | 3.8L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2002 | 4.6L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2002 | 5.4L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2001 | 3.8L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2001 | 4.6L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2001 | 5.4L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| Year | Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference | Service Interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3.8L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2000 | 4.6L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 2000 | 5.4L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1999 | 3.8L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1999 | 4.6L V8 DOHC | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1999 | 4.6L V8 SOHC | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1998 | 3.8L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1998 | 4.6L V8 DOHC | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1998 | 4.6L V8 SOHC | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1997 | 3.8L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1997 | 4.6L V8 DOHC | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1997 | 4.6L V8 SOHC | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1996 | 3.8L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1996 | 4.6L V8 DOHC | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1996 | 4.6L V8 SOHC | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1995 | 3.8L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1995 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1995 | 5.8L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1994 | 3.8L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1994 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| Year | Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference | Service Interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1993 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1992 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1992 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1991 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1991 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1990 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1990 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1989 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1989 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1988 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1988 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1987 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1987 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| Year | Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference | Service Interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1986 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbocharged | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1986 | 3.8L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1986 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1985 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1985 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbocharged | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1985 | 3.8L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1985 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1984 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1984 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbocharged | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1984 | 3.8L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1984 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1983 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1983 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbocharged | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1983 | 3.8L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1983 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1982 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1982 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbocharged | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1982 | 3.3L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1982 | 4.2L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1982 | 5.0L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1981 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1981 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbocharged | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1981 | 3.3L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1981 | 4.2L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1980 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1980 | 2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbocharged | timing belt | non-interference | 60k miles |
| 1980 | 3.3L V6 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
| 1980 | 4.2L V8 | timing chain | interference | lifetime miles |
MyBestVehicle.com is a website designed to quickly find data and specs on your particular vehicle.
Consult with the vehicle's owner's manual or a licensed mechanic to confirm the engine type in your car.
Timing belt replacements can be expensive, but if a timing belt fails it will leave you stranded on the road and could damage your engine beyond repair.
When replacing a timing belt, it is normal to replace the water pump and belt tensioner while they are easily accessible.