IllustrationPOWER WINDOWS FAILED.
1988 Ford Mustang
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1988 Ford Mustang do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 81.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Mustang years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 7 of 108 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 10 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 reports32 fire reports4 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
56 reportsIGNITION SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE.
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. FORD WILL NOT HONOR THE NOTICE BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN FLOODED.*AK *SLC
CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH STARTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
CAR BURNED UP IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE DASH WHILE PARKED IN BACKYARD ON 7/6/96. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON 7/8/96. 96V071000. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT IGNITION BURN CAUSED DASH TO BURN AND WINDSHIELD TO CRACK.*JB
DRIVING CAR, SMOKE FILLED INSIDE OF CAR, CAR CAUGHT FIRE, DRIVER BURNED SLIGHTLY, STOPPED CAR & GOT OUT, CALLED FIRE DEPT TO PUT OUT FIRE, FIRE STARTED DUE TO A SHORT IN THE IGNITION WIRING. VEHICLE WA STOTALED. *AK
IGNITION BURNT OUT WHILE DRIVING. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH BURNED OUT WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN STALLING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK
IGNITION BURNED OUT WHILE TRAVELING. VEHICLE THEN BEGAN EXPERIENCING STALLING W/EXHAUST BLOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Official recalls
196V071000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 25, 1996
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
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
5PE93011 · Cruise Control Malfunction
Opened Mar 3, 1993 · Closed Jul 19, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
There is no summary currently available
PE91137 · Hood Latch Failures
Opened Oct 9, 1991 · Closed Feb 27, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE91078 · Headlamp Assembly Failure
Opened May 28, 1991 · Closed Sep 23, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
PE90052 · Fr Seat Floor Mount Fails
Opened Mar 7, 1990 · Closed Jun 20, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
There is no summary currently available
PE89133 · Underdash Fires
Opened Jun 29, 1989 · Closed Nov 28, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available