Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 3 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seat Belts. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
16 reports
100,000 miles · Jan 30, 2009
Fuel System, Other
FUEL PUMP INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. SOMETIMES I HEAR IT KICK IN AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T, LIKE TODAY AFTER WORK. I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP IN 2004 AND THE FUEL FILTER TO THE TUNE OF $550.00. I WAS NOT GIVEN THE OLD PARTS. I AM WORRIED I MAY HAVE TO GET IT DONE AGAIN TOMORROW. I THINK THE FIRST REPAIR SHOP ROBBED ME. THEY CHARGED…
Read full complaint
FUEL PUMP INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. SOMETIMES I HEAR IT KICK IN AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T, LIKE TODAY AFTER WORK. I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP IN 2004 AND THE FUEL FILTER TO THE TUNE OF $550.00. I WAS NOT GIVEN THE OLD PARTS. I AM WORRIED I MAY HAVE TO GET IT DONE AGAIN TOMORROW. I THINK THE FIRST REPAIR SHOP ROBBED ME. THEY CHARGED ME 189.59 FOR THE PUMP AND 16.48 FOR THE FILTER. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE IS CAB FARES, BUMMING RIDES AND THE MENTAL ANGUISH OF WHETHER OR NOT IT WILL START. I AM FEMALE AND WORRIED ABOUT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256997
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2005
SuspensionCrashInjury
THE VEHICLE HAD REAR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. *NM THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE ROADWAY WAS DAMP. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SLID MAKING THE CONSUMER LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10109579
40,000 miles · Sep 11, 2003
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT WAS RECALLED IN 1992. THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED, AND THE RECALL LETTER STATED THAT REPAIRS WERE FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, SEAT BELTS WERE NOT LATCHING PROPERLY, AND THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10039778
50,000 miles · Apr 2, 2003
Seat Belts
I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO CHECK ON CAMPAIGN # 92V063000. HE SAID HE COULDN'T HELP BECAUSE MY VIN # DIDN'T COME UP. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10013853
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MULTIPLE CLUTCH FAILURES, TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS, AND THEN CRANKSHAFT BROKE AT 160,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #780503
Mileage unknown · May 6, 1996
SteeringFire
AFTER AUTO WAS DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW IT, PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND IT WAS FLAMES IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #984074
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 1996
Electrical System
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #983036
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 1996
Electrical SystemFire
PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY, UNDERHOOD FIRE IGNITED; ALL WIRES MELTED DOWN; ACCORDING TO FIRE DEPT, COULD BE CAUSED BE ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #982850
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE (ENGINE COMPARMENT FIRE). *AK
THE PLASTIC SLEEVE IN THE FRONT SAFETY BELT TONGUE ASSEMBLY WHICH RETAINS THE LOCK BAR CAN DETERIORATE FROM PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT AND BECOME DISPLACED, CAUSING THE TONGUE TO DETACH FROM THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TONGUE DETACHES FROM THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING, THESAFETY BELT WOULD NOT ATTACH TO ITSELF, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURYTO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FORD WILL REPAIR THE SAFETY BELTS EXPERIENCING THIS CONDITION REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE AGE OR CONDITION.
BRAKE BOOSTER REAR SHELLS MAY HAVE REDUCED WALL THICKNESSES WHICH COULD CAUSE THE SHELL TO BREAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: REPEATED BRAKE USE COULD CAUSE THE SHELL TO CRACK AND THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY TO COME APART. SERVICE BRAKES CAPABILITY WOULD BE TOTALLY LOST WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4
EA91003 · Safety Belt Tongue Breaks
Opened Oct 29, 1990 · Closed Apr 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
PE89118 · Speed Control Malfunction
Opened Apr 19, 1989 · Closed Sep 6, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
===
PE87028 · Stalling
Opened May 1, 1987 · Closed Jan 21, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN DETECTED.===
EA86010 · Seatback Failure
Opened Mar 26, 1986 · Closed Jul 28, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD BELIEVES THAT THE AL-LEGED DEFECT ONLY OCCURS IN A SMALL NUMBER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ANDRECALLED ABOUT 195,732 1984 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES IN JUNE 1986.ANALYSIS: VEHICLES POTENTIALLY INVOLVED INCLUDE TEMPO/TOPAZ, ESCORT/LYNX/EXP, MUSTANG/CAPRI, LTD/MARQUIS, AND THUNDERBIRD/COUGAR.FORD SOLD ABOUT 110,000 REPLACEMENT MIO BOLTS, MAINLY FOR 1983 AND 1984MODELS. LOW CLAMPING FORCE APPEARS TO BE A LARGE PART OF THE PROBLEM.FORD INCREASED THE TORQUE REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED THE USE OF A MANUALTORQUE TOOL IN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER 1985 PRODUCTION CHANGES. 1987 MODELSWILL BE PRODUCED WITH A LONGER M10 BOLT AND A NUT TO INCREASE AND MAIN-TAIN CLAMPING FORCE. BOLTS WERE FORMERLY SELF TAPPING. REPORTS LISTEDABOVE SPECIFICALLY STATE THAT THE BOLT BROKE. NONE REFER SIMPLY TOSEAT BACK COLLAPSE ALONE.STATUS:FORD REPLY TO ODI IR DATED 2/2/87.FORD RECALLED 195,7321984 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES IN JUNE 1986 (86V-082). ANALYZING REPONSE,MONITORING CANADIAN PROGRESS. RESPONSE TO 4/6/87 LETTER TO FORDRECEIVED 7/15/87. WILL PROBABLY CLOSE AFTER CANADA COMPLETES THEIRACTIONS.===
1985 Ford Mustang Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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