1998 Ford Mustang

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 236 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine › gasoline. It has been recalled 14 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
88,900 milesMedian miles at failure

31 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline15
220
Vehicle Speed Control14
419
Parking Brake › Conventional10
400
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe9
000
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor7
101
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump7
000
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar6
101
Power Train › Automatic Transmission6
000
Air Bags › Frontal6
603
Air Bags6
405

14 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights08E050000
Filed Aug 11, 20081,921 vehiclesK2 Motor Corporation

Defect. K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior Lighting06E064000
Filed Jul 17, 20064,029 vehiclesTradesonic

Defect. CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Exterior Lighting06E060000
Filed Jun 29, 200687,745 vehiclesAai Motorsports Usa, Llc

Defect. CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy. AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Fuel System, Gasoline06E056000
Filed Jun 13, 200658,640 vehiclesUfi Filters Usa

Defect. CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Risk. FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights06E025000
Filed Mar 21, 20061,450 vehiclesPoli-Auto, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights06E023000
Filed Mar 13, 2006292,000 vehiclesAnzo Usa, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Showing 10 of 14 campaigns, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed May 22, 2021VA

Rear right parking brake does not engage and when trying to come to an emergency stop brake is ineffective

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 6, 202099,000 milesVA

STIRRING-WHEEL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON GETTING HIT HEAD-BUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID DEPLOY BUT DUE TO THE DEFECT STIRRING WHEEL AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING THE DRIVER TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD

Seat Belts
Filed Oct 3, 201916,146 milesMI

PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT. WORK , CANNOT PULL OUT TO USE IT... THE REPAIR SHOP IS HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING. A RETRACTOR. MECHANISM....MY FAMILY CANNOT SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. RIGHT NOW

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Oct 23, 2017147,000 milesNY

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, NEITHER FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 11, 2016124,000 milesNV

ON MAY 5, 2016, I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 395 (NEVADA). DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH DUE TO RAIN/HAIL. I FELT MY CAR BEGIN TO HYDROPLANE, AND THEN BEGAN TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL ACROSS THE HWY. AT LEAST 5 COMPLETE CIRCLES UNTIL I SLAMMED INTO A CONCRETE WALL WHERE THE CAR CAME TO A STOP. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVERS SEAT BOLTS BROKE UPON IMPACT AS WELL. NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED, BUT I SUFFERED MULTIPLE BRUISES ON MY RT. ARM, AS WELL AS SEVERE WHIPLASH AND INTERNAL BRUISING FROM SEAT BREAKING FREE UPON IMPACT. MY BACK/SPINE ARE IN SERIOUS PAIN DUE TO BEING KNOCKED OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHEN THE SEAT BROKE, AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I DID NOT FILE A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AS I ONLY HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE, HOWEVER I DO HAVE AN ACCIDENT CASE NUMBER FROM THE NEVADA HIGHWAY PATROL: # 160500374 DATE: 05/05/2016 TIME: 9:56 AM

Engine
Filed May 28, 2015112,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD MUSTANG. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION WIRES AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE PROPERLY ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 16, 2014274,067 milesCA

THE FUEL FILLER NECK GROMMET IS LEAKING. ACCORDING TO FORD, IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT...IT CAUSES A GASOLINE LEAK IF I TRY TO FILL IT OVER ABOUT 3/8 TANK, AND THROWS GAS OUT, WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN. *TR THIS IS A FIRE/EXPLOSION WAITING TO HAPPEN. FORD SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THESE WITH GROMMETS THAT DO NOT BREAK DOWN.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 6, 201478,840 milesGA

I WAS BRAKING AT A RED LIGHT BEHIND A TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN I HAD ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED, MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD, WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. I LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE FOR AN INSTANT, THEN SLAMMED THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN, STOPPING MY CAR JUST A COUPLE INCHES FROM SLAMMING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 13, 2012FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD MUSTANG . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV AND THE RPMS INCREASED DRASTICALLY AS THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHILE DOING SO, THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE WEDGING THE TIRE AGAINST THE CURB IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO LOSE SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS FRAYED AND COMING APART. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEW CABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Child Seat
Filed Apr 19, 2011TX

WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE CAR SEAT OR THE CAR MODEL BUT WHEN I INSTALL THE BASE OF THE CAR SEAT ON THE CAR I TIGHTEN IT AS MUCH AS I CAN AND THE CAR SEAT SNAPS FIRM ON IT BUT THE BASE IS NOT FIRM ON THE CAR AND ONE TIME THE WHOLE THING FLIPPED OVER WHEN I MADE A SLOW TURN. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=1998, MAKE=FORD, MODEL=MUSTANG). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 2, 2010118,695 milesNY

INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE HOUSING UNDER THE THERMOSTAT. THIS WAS REPORTED AS TSB 97M91. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrashFire5 injured1 killed
Filed Apr 12, 2010TX

TL-THE DRIVER OWNED A 1998 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS UNKNOWN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND LIQUID SPLASHED ONTO THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER ENDED UP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TRAFFIC AND CRASHED INTO A VAN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS WERE INJURED IN THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. AA

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 20, 2010150,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD MUSTANG WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 1998. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF HIS HOME WHEN HE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. HE IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE TO NO AVAIL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE MARSHALL STATED THAT THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL AND ALSO INCLUDED THAT IN THE POLICE/FIRE REPORT FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE IF THERE WERE ANY OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 2, 2009100,000 milesVA

CAR IS HARD TO START OR LONG START CYCLE, FUEL PUMP CHECK VALVE LEAKING REQUIRING FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Aug 25, 2009NJ

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1999 FORD MUSTANG WITH A 1998 USED ENGINE INSTALLED INTO IT. I ONLY HAD 1 REAL PROBLEM WITH IT AND IT WAS MY EXHAUST. I HAD THAT FIXED AND RAN GREAT FOR THE NEXT DAY. LESS THEN 36 HRS AFTER THE EXHAUST WAS FIXED AND AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 15 HRS OR SO, WHICH WAS FROM AROUND 9:45 PM FRIDAY THE 21ST TO AROUND 12:30 TO 1:00 PM ON THE 22ND OF AUGUST. A NEIGHBOR CAME POUNDING ON OUR DOOR TELLING US OUR CAR WAS ON FIRE!!!! HE ALSO STATED THAT HE HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO START IT FROM A DISTANCE. WELL WE DON'T HAVE A REMOTE STARTER FOR THIS CAR, IT ONLY UNLOCKS THE CAR AND TRUNK, DOES NOT START IT. WE BELIEVE IT WAS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE AND NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED AS I ONLY HAD LIABILITY INS. AND NOW I HAVE LOST MY CAR AND HAVE NOTHING...... I HAVE PICTURES OF MY CAR JUST MELTING AWAY, THE ENTIRE FRONT OF IT. I LOVED THIS CAR, I WASN'T EVEN FINISHED PAYING FOR IT. I STILL OWE $1395 ON IT AND I ONLY HAD IT FOR ABOUT 7 MONTHS. FIRE MARSHALL IS STILL INVESTIGATING IT. I BELIEVE HE SAID IT POSSIBLY STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THERE WAS A BOX ABOVE THE TIRE AREA WITH WIRES IN IT. WHAT WERE THESE WIRES, WHAT WERE THEY FOR AS I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING MATCHING THAT DESCRIPTION ON A 1998 ENGINE IMAGE...??? THIS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY REAL PROBLEM WE HAD, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE, SELLER DID FIX BUT LIGHT CAME BACK ON IN ABOUT 1 WEEK AND WAS ON UNTIL FIRE. *TR

Steering
Filed May 22, 2009150,000 milesOH

THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS IN STEERING STABILITY. EVERYTHING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO THE RACK AND PINION SHOW NO SIGNS OF LEAKING. I'VE HAD THE PS LINES REPLACED AS WELL AS THE PS PUMP, BECAUSE IF THE LACK OF STABILITY AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. PS FLUID HAS BEEN REPLACED AND BLED. AND THE PUMP IS STILL VERY LOUD (IT WAS ALWAYS LOUD, THE NEW PUMP IS THE SAME WAY. BUT THAT'S MORE ANNOYING THAN A SAFELY CONCERN). I'LL BE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY VEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. CAR HAS NEW TIRES AND HAS BEEN ALIGNED RECENTLY. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Apr 21, 200971,951 milesFL

MY VEHICLE HAS LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. FOUND RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON LINE, HOWEVER, MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT CORRESPOND. I CALLED NHTSA AND THEY SUGGESTED I FILE A COMPLAINT. MY VEHICLE HAS NO EXTERNAL LEAKS OR WORN OR TORN SUSPENSION PARTS, IT MUST HAVE INTERNAL DAMAGE TO STEERING GEAR. FORD DOES NOT SHOW A RECALL. I WILL BE REPAIRING MY VEHICLE IN THE MEANTIME, ONES VEHICLE IS VERY NECESSARY TO GET BY OUR DAY TO DAY BUSINESS, HOWEVER, I NEED THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Sep 12, 2007AL

HOOD LATCH FAILED CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO BE BADLY DAMAGED AND A SMALL CRASH. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Aug 29, 200685,000 milesNM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, ANTIFREEZE LEAKED HEAVILY FROM THE VEHICLE. A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE HEARD, AND THE HOOD RAISED SLIGHTLY AS IF IT WAS NOT SHUT PROPERLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT IT AGAIN. THE REPAIR SHOP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THAT PROBLEM.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 16, 2006113,000 milesMO

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED IN ORDER FOR THE HEADLIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE, THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ON AND OFF. WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL WAS TURNED RIGHT OR LEFT, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED.

20 of 236 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20266500Routine
202517600Routine
2024771200Do not drive
202315600Routine
202249910Routine
202155600Routine
2020120850Routine
2019148610Routine
2018191410Routine
2017265680Above average
2016376562Fatalities reported
20154361170Above average
2014359410Do not drive
2013271620Do not drive
2012469721Do not drive
2011466510Do not drive
2010261622Do not drive
2009181620Do not drive
2008347800Do not drive
2007615951Do not drive
2006424932Do not drive
2005705970Do not drive
2004116600Routine
2003145640Routine
2002118660Routine
2001173822Fatalities reported
2000311992Fatalities reported
19992131022Fatalities reported
1998 — this page23614121Fatalities reported
19971761132Fatalities reported
19962461260Above average
199560216297Fatalities reported
199435613191Fatalities reported
19931017292Fatalities reported
1992695210High concern
1991776220High concern
1990855290High concern

Compare every Mustang year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.