1996 Ford Mustang complaints

ENGINE OVERHEATED, LOST POWER, NO HEAT FROM HEATER, OIL AND COOLANT MIX IN RADIATOR. TOWED TO FORD SERVICE CENTER. DIAGNOSED AS HEAD GASKET FAILURE. ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE ENGINE $4200 INCLUDING LABOR. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE IN MICHIGAN BUT THEY ARE SO FAR UNWILLING TO HELP.

INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED DUE TO PLASTIC MATERIAL USED ON ORIGINAL PART - REPLACEMENT PART IS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND PLASTIC - THIS INDICATES MANUFACTURER KNEW ABOUT ORIGINAL DESIGN BEING FAULTY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE, CONSUMER STATES THAT IT SMELLED LIKE WIRE BURNING. CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE, AND FIRE CAME FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE INJURIES. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD AND TAP THE CAR IN FRONT, AS A RESULT THE DUAL AIR BAG FALSELY DEPLOYED AND BROKE THE WINDOW. NLM

THE VEHICLE HAS A V6 ENGINE WHICH THE COOLANT LEAKS, THEY CONTINUOUSLY HAVE TO REPLACE THE PARTS IN THE ENGINE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED ALSO. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS WILL HAVE TO BE DONE EVERY TWO YEARS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO AUTO CENTER FOR A SQUEAK BEHIND TIRE, THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BUSTING AT A SEAM AND HAD SPRAYED COOLANT EVERYWHERE, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS MADE OUT OF SOME KIND OF PLASTIC, THERE WAS A RECALL AND THE PRIOR OWNER HAD RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETE, HOWEVER RECALL COMPONENT FAILED AGAIN, FORD WILL NOT REIMBURSE CONSUMER FOR THE FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD. *SLC

CONSUMER STATED THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY FAIL DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH HAS FAILED TO EFFECTIVELY REMEDY THE PROBLEM, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND STILL CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *JG *AK

INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LOST ALL COOLANT ON THE HIGHWAY. MECHANIC REPORTED PROBLEM IS NOT UNCOMMON, BUT NO RECALL ISSUED.*AK

HEAD GASKET FAILURE. WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS. I CAN'T GET ANOTHER MECHANIC IN TOWN TO TOUCH IT. SO I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE FORD DEALER TO GET IT REPAIRED, AT A COST OF $1,400 OR EVEN A NEW ENGINE.

SEAT BELT HAS BECOME FRAYED WHILE PASSING THROUGH RETRACTOR GUIDE. SEAT BELT TANGLES AND WILL NOT RETRACT DUE TO POOR GUIDE DESIGN. NUMEROUS DEALERS CONTACTED AND ADVISED ABOUT POSSIBLE SEAT BELT FAILURE AND LACK OF CRASH WORTHINESS. ALL HAVE SAID BELT IS OUT OF WARRANTY (PROBLEM FIRST NOTICED AT AROUND 60K MILES) AND THAT FORD WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACEMENT. WEAR ON BELT CAUSED BY RETRACTOR GUIDE, NOT USE OR ABUSE.

ENGINE HEAD BROKE, CAUSING A LEAK. *AK

WHILE DRIVING UP A SMALL INCLINE AT DRIVE THRU, HEARD LOUD CRACKING SOUND. STOPPED TO INVESTIGATE AND NOTICED REAR SWAY BAR ON DRIVERS SIDE HAD BROKEN OFF. THIS HAS CAUSED A CLANKING SOUND WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN.*AK

CONTACTED DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO FAILURE ABOUT OVERHEATING PROBLEM AND FORD HEAD GASKET HISTORY, BUT THEY DID NOTHING THEN AND WILL NOT COVER IN WARRANTY.

MY CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT TURN OFF WITH THE KEY. IT RETAINS ITS LAST KNOWN SPEED.*AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION OF 30 MPH IMPACT WITH A 1991, CHEVROLET, SUBURBAN. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. VEHICLE AT AN INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR REPAIRS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.*AK

LIFETIME RECALL ON PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK

GASOLINE LEAKAGE AT RUBBER SEAL BETWEEN GAS TANK AND TUBE(FILLER TUBE). WHERE YOU INSERT THE GAS NOZZEL AT GAS STATION.*AK

VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING COOLANT AT 58000 MILES, BLOWN HEAD GASKET, THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL FORD MODELS AND COMPANY REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE.*AK

VEHICLE SOLD WITHOUT AIRBAGS, NOT DISCLAIMED TO ME AT PURCHASE NOR IS IT LISTED AS SO ON YOUR SITE. *AK

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL REOCCURRING PROBLEMS INCLUDING 2 TRANSMISSION FAILURES. THE TRANSMISSION IS AN AOD AUTOMATIC, AND IT STILL DOESN'T SHIFT CORRECTLY. IF PASSING GEAR IS ENGAGED, THEN CAR'S RPMS SHOOT UP AND IT SHIFTS DOWN TO TOO LOW OF A GEAR. I HAVE REPLACED 2 WATER PUMPS THAT WERE LEAKING. I HAVE REPLACED A SWAY BAR THAT BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN A FLAT ROAD. THERE IS A WHINNING SOUND THAT COMES FROM EITHER THE PULLEYS OR THE CRANKSHAFT. IN HOT WEATHER THE CAR WILL ACT LIKE IT IS RUNNING OUT OF GAS WHEN ACCELERATING EVEN WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. THE BRAKES ARE VERY POOR EVEN WITH NEW PADS AND THE ROTORS RESURFACED, THEY FADE ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAKING MUST BE DONE QUICKLY OR AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THERE ARE ALSO MANY RATTLES THAT COME FROM VARIOUS BADY PANELS AND THE TRUNK WHEN DRIVING.

CASTER ADJUSTMENT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING TIRES TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY. DEALERHSIP EXAMINED VEHICLE,AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT AN AUTOBODY SHOP WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THE REPAIRS TO VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY SWAY BAR BROKE AWAY FROM VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD 43,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED FOR PROBLEM, BUT REFUSED TO REPAIR BAR. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING 30-35MPH SWAY BAR FOR CONSUMER'S 1996, FORD, COBRA MUSTANG BROKE IN HALF. VEHICLE HAD 43,000 MILES WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY APPARENT REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS NO INVOLVED IN ANY TYPE OF IMPACT. FORD INITIALLY AGREED TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES TO THE CAR AND REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG, BUT IS NOW CLAIMING THAT THE AIRBAG IS ONLY COVERED FOR 5 YEARS OR 50,000 MILES. THEY CLAIM THAT THIS IS ONLY COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART.*AK

RECALL NOTICE WAS NOT SENT TO OUR ADDRESS AND B CLASS RECALL IS EXPIRED. HOWEVER THIS JUST BECAME A PROBLEM WITH OUR CAR. RELATED PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS. HEATER GIVING COLD AIR, TIMING CHAIN COVER RUSTING, 1 OR MORE GALLONS OF WATER DAILY IS LEAKED OUT THRU GASKET AFTER DRIVING. CONSTANT OVERHEATING AND FEARED OVERHEATING DAMAGES TO MOTOR MAY OCCUR OR ENGINE FIRE AS A RESULT OF SUCH SEVERE MOTOR OVERHEATING.

TREAD PEALED OFF TIRE AT 65 MPH DESTROYING BUMPER AND ACTIVATED INERTIA SWITCH. *AK (DOT NUMBER: UNKN TIRESIZE: SS10)

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN MAKING A GURGLING NOISE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE RAPIDLY WENT HOT, VEHICLE IS IN NEED OF AN ENGINE, CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

AFTER RECALL REPAIRS PARKING BRAKE STICKS OUT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

SEAT BELTS AT TIMES DO NOT RETRACT, OR AT TIMES WILL NOT BUCKLE CORRECTLY.*AK

THERE WAS CLANKING NOISE WHEN ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF/OVERHEATED. *AK

FRACTURED TIE ROD END. *AK

CAR ACCELERATES SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AT STOP OR AT 0-5 MPH(THROTTLE GOES WIDE OPEN)IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. MUST SHUT OFF IGNITION SWITCH TO STOP CAR, BRAKES WILL NOT STOP CAR. PROBLEM CORRECTED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY FIRST TIME. REPLACED PURGE AIR VALVE. FOUR YEARS LATER PROBLEM IS REOCCURING AGAIN. BELIEVE PURGE AIR VALVE HAS FAILED AGAIN. ORIGINAL SERVICING DEALER IS OUT OF BUSINESS. WONDERING IF THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD IN MUSTANG LINE SINCE IT HAS A POTENTIAL TO LOOSE CONTROL OF CAR,DAMAGE PROPERTY OR LOSS OF A LIFE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HOOD STARTED WOBBLING, AND THEN TOP LAYER OF HOOD WAS LIFTED OFF VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS COMPONENT, BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN. *AK

REAR SWAY BAR SHEARED OFF AT BOLT HOLE ON LOWER CONTROL ARM ON DRIVERS SIDE. I REMOVED THE PART AND PLACED IN TRUCK OF CAR. SINCE THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE I CALLED THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY FOR A REPLACEMENT SWAY BAR. I OFFERED TO BRING THE PART IN SO THEY COULD INSPECT IT TO MAKE SURE THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY ABUSE. DEALER WAS UNWILLING TO HELP SO I CONTACTED FORDS CUSTOMER RELATIONS. THEY STATE SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL THEY WILL NOT HELP. THEY HAVE BEEN VERY EVASIVE AND DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH. THE FIRST REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED TO LET ME SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR WHEN I WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH HER DECISION. THE FINAL SUPERVISOR ADMITTED SHE DID NOT KNOW WHAT A SWAY BAR WAS. IF SHE DID SHE WOULD KNOW THEY LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THEY HAVE MADE THIS SEEM LIKE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. FROM LOOKING AT THE NTSA WEB SITE I SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE THIS DEFECT.*AK

ERRATIC SHIFT BETWEEN 1ST AND SECOND GEAR (ENGINE REVS UP IN RPMS).. *AK

I HAVE REPAIR INVOICES AND TESTAMENT FROM REPAIR FACILITY THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO THIN PLASTIC WALLS OF INTAKE MANIFOLD.*AK

ENGINE CONTINUES TO STALL AND OVERHEAT HAVE HAD 2 ENGINES REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS HAS SEEN DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION

MY FORD MUSTANG BROKE DOWN ON MY WAY TO FREDERICK, MD. IN DECEMBER OF 2000. I HAD ALREADY TAKEN IT IN TO CRYSTAL FORD FOR A RECALL ON JUNE 8, 2000. THE RECALL PROGRAM NO. WAS 99B29. THEY SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM, WHICH WAS A LEAKAGE OF ENGINE COOLANT AT THE HEAD GASKET. ON MY DRIVE TO FREDERICK IN DECEMBER, THE MUSTANG BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND PROCEED TO BREAK DOWN PROMPTLY THEREAFTER. THE RESULT OF THE OVERHEATING WAS A CRACKED ENGINE DUE TO A THROWN ROD. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM FREDERICK TO LAUREL TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE CRACKED ENGINE WAS DUE TO A ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE. I THEN HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO CRYSTAL FORD SO THERE MECHANICS COULD LOOK AT IT. THE SERVICE PERSON, [XXX], CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW THE ENGINE THREW A ROD WHICH WAS DUE TO AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE PROBLEM. I WROTE LETTERS TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE SERVICE REP FOR THE AREA AND BOTH DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE TO FIX MY VEHICLE. THE DAMAGE DONE TO MY VEHICLE IS DEFINITELY RELATED TO THE RECALL AND THE ENGINE COOLANT PROBLEM AT THE HEAD GASKET YET FORD REFUSES TO FIX THE VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP ME IN ANYWAY YOU CAN WITH THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT WITH THIS PROBLEM. SINCERELY, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

BEFORE I PUCHASED THIS CAR, I HAD A FORD ESCORT WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE O2 SENSORS. AT THAT TIME IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PARTS AND LABOR WERE COVERED UNDER A FEDERAL WARRANTY. THIS DEALERSHIP SAYS IT'S NOT.*AK

THERE IS A LEAK IN THE HEATER CORE. *SLC

BLOWN HEAD GASKET, FRONT SEAL, AND CRACKED TIMING COVER. FORD DID NOT COVER HEAD GASKET REPAIRS THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. *AK

HAD VEHICLE PARKED ON A GRADE/INCLINE. PUT EMERGENCY BRAKES ON. EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKES SLIPPED, AND VEHICLE STARTED MOVING BACKWARDS. DOOR HIT OWNER ON HIP. *AK CONSUMER'S MUSCLES WERE SHEARED AND THE LIGAMENTS TORN DUE TO ACCIDENT. *SLC

WITH THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED, VEHCLE ROLLED DOWN HILL AND CRASHED INTO A NEIGHBOR'S MAILBOX, OWNER RECEIVED RECALL (00V-349), AFTER THE FACT AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR INSURANCE COST DEDUCTIBLE. *CJ

HOOD WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, HOOD COULD FLY UP UNEXPECTEDLY. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE. *AK

FUEL TANK IS DEFECTIVE. AREA OF WETNESS SEEPING FROM TOP OF TANK ON DRIVERS SIDE ADJACENT TO EXHAUST TAIL PIPE CONFIRMED BY DEALER . THE POINT OF DEFECT ON TOP OF TANK IS OBSCURED FROM ROAD HAZARDS BY IT'S CLOSE LOCATION TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE AUTO FRAME, LEAVING THE CONCLUSION THAT THE TANK HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DO NOT FEEL THIS SHOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE AS THE SEEPAGE AND IT'S PROXIMITY TO THE HOT EXHAUST IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.*AK

WENT TO DEALER 11/99 ABOUT SHUDDER- CHANGED BELTS, ETC. STILL SHAKING- TEAR DOWN 7/00. *AK

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, DEALER REPAIRS WERE $633.00 FOR A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 1500 MILES, CONSUMER IS AFRAID THE LIGHT MAY COME ON AGAIN. *SLC

TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND VEHICLE VIBRATES DURING SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR (OVERDRIVE). THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS SLOWLY ACCELERATED TO HIGHWAY SPEED. *AK

WHILE ENGINE BRAKING, ENGINE STALLS WHEN DOWNSHIFTING. FIRST HAD THIS PROBLEM AT 1000 MILES. DEALER HAS ALWAYS CLAIMED THE ENGINE IS IN FINE OPERATING CONDITION.

BRAKE VIBRATION WHEN USED AND NOISE WHEN NOT IN USE. BRAKE PEDAL IS SOMETIMES STIFF AND SOMETIMES VERY SOFT. DEALER HAS HAD IN TO FIX NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAS NEVER FIXED PROBLEM. *AK