This may be a stupid question... Going to ask it anyway. I have been trying to find ways on my own to tell a MY 10 - 12 apart. On a 13 - 14 MY the only way I have found is to look at the instrument cluster. Obviously a 10 GT will not have 5.0 badges. But are there other ways to tell each model year apart? Thanks for the Education!...

 

Tail lights, rocker panels, hood vents, front end etc. Quite a few actually. Are you looking for more specific differences?

 

I am looking for easy ways as I cruise past one to tell the model year. I find myself doing this all the time with Muscle Cars... Feel obligated to myself as a owner of one now to be able to do it with Mustangs...

 

And to clarify I am only interested in 10 - 12 MY. I think the way I stated my question was confusing looking back at it...

 

10 - no 5.0 badges
11-12 - identical except for colors maybe.

 

Oh alright I understand now haha. I thought you were asking for the differences between '12 and '13.

Yes I believe it is just the GT badge on the side.

 

10-11 just the 5.0 instead of gt. but from 11-12 im not entirely too sure actually...

 

You can tell an '11 from a '12 by the VIN in the lower corner of the windshield. 8th digit from the right is the year digit. B is '11 and C is '12. Short of that, the only difference is a couple of paint colors.

 

Different front headrests too. Hard to see that while a car is moving. The 12s have tilt headrests. The 11s don't.

 

Yknow i never really noticed that until i looked at some pictures. Also between 10-11 the rearviews are dofferent. 10's had the flat piece while 11+ has the blind spot mirror which (to me) is suuuper convenient. Saved my sides plenty times because people around here really like to hide in those blind spots

 

It's been reported that some late production '11's also had tilt headrests.

 

Never heard that. Mine was one of the last 11's built and no tilt headrests.

 

Maybe only a few got em?

 

True, it was a running change late in the '11 model year. My '11 GT was built in January '11 and I had the old style (non-tilting) headrests. But I remember seeing later '11's with the tilting ones.

 

Rather like the "powerdome" sun visor mirror cover...........introduced for the 10MY but phased out during the '11 or '12MY IIRC.







Also, the traction control button showed a Mustang image on the '10s......again phased out during the '11 or 12MY

 

2010: slimmer front valance, no blind spot mirrors, V6 had single exhaust and smaller, narrower BFGs versus Michelins, also late availability of 18" silver painted wheels, Stone interior available with Glass Roof, halogen lights standard on GT500, 18s standard on GT500 convertible, Sunset Gold available on V6/GT, Torch Red still around.

2011: lower front valance (more aerodynamic), blind spot mirrors, TC button changed to generic style, generic visor mirrors, GT has different rear valance with faux vents, 5.0 emblems, GT/CS added, GT500 gets HIDs and forged 19s standard, GT500 Performance Package added with twin 8-spoke wheels, V6 Performance Package added with GT/CS look wheels and GT suspension, Yellow Blaze available on V6/GT, Race Red replaces Torch Red.

2012: Lava Red available for short period of time until tsunamis in Japan knock out paint plant, Boss 302 added, Stone no longer available with Glass Roof, Stone interior becomes Dark Charcoal with Stone seats and accents (a la Saddle), adjustable headrests added.

That's all off the top of my head, I'm sure I missed a few things.

 

Wow! Impressive! Thanks for the good info!... I do not suppose you have pictures of the differences in the front Valances do you? Sounds like the best shot at identifying each year... Until someone modifies them anyway...

 

Now I have to look at my traction control button. I swear my 11 has the stang on it.

 

I think it may have been a late 2011 change, 2012s for sure have the generic button and visor covers.

 

I'm sure you might be able to spot the differences in the galleries on TMS? Btw, I believe that balance change was only on the V6. I can always tell a 2010 V6 coming from the front, due to the slim lower valance and BFGs. It's really the lower matte black chin spoiler (no change in the painted bumper cover) - the 2011 version extends lower. Ford also did the same thing with the 2008 and 2009 Escape lower chin spoiler.