Home / Ford Mustang / 1988 ← New search 1988 Ford Mustang Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Illustration Same car. 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 → Overview Common problems Recalls Investigations What to inspect Owner reports
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.
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
Suspension complaints 1 reports Clear category filter 72,313 miles · Apr 23, 2003
Steering Structure Suspension
SWAY BAR REPLACEMENT/STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION. MR THE REPAIRED/REPLACED PARTS ARE AS FOLLOWED: SWAY BAR LINKS(REPLACED THE TWO SIDES), HEAT SHIELDS HAD COME LOOSE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAD COME OFF ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HE COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHILE LOOSE AND WITH THE BROKEN SWAY BAR/ON THE RIGHT SIDE…
Read full complaint SWAY BAR REPLACEMENT/STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION. MR THE REPAIRED/REPLACED PARTS ARE AS FOLLOWED: SWAY BAR LINKS(REPLACED THE TWO SIDES), HEAT SHIELDS HAD COME LOOSE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAD COME OFF ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HE COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHILE LOOSE AND WITH THE BROKEN SWAY BAR/ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE SWAY BAR LOOKED AS IF IT WERE CUT ON BOTH SIDES AFTER REPAIRS. SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10015752
Official recalls 1 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 5 PE93011 · 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
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