SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1989 Ford Mustang

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1989 Ford Mustang do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 81.

About this comparison →
109Owner complaints

Model-year median: 81

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

4Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
30
198638
1987108
1988109
198985
199077
199169
1992
Compare all Mustang years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
46Seat Belts
20Vehicle Speed Control
9Seats
8Structure
8
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
6Exterior Lighting
4Fuel System, Gasoline
3Latches/locks/linkages
3Power Train
3Tires
2Unknown Or Other
2Visibility
2Engine
1Equipment
1Fuel System, Other
1Steering
1Suspension
1

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: 4 of 109 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 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports31 fire reports6 injury reports

Power Train complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2000
Power Train

THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS UNLESS CAR WAS OFF. ALSO CLUTCH CABLE BROKE, AND THE GEARS GRIND GOING IN REVERSE. THERE HAS BEEN 3 REPLACEMENTS OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, 2 OF THE CABLE, 3 OF THE GEARS AND NOW I'M GOING ON THE 4TH TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #732077

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 1996
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

RECALL ONLY INCLUDES 1991-93 DUE TO BROKEN TRANSMISSION THROTTLE PASSING GEAR GROMMET PLASTIC PART, ACCELERATOR STUCK IN OPEN POSITION, RESULTING IN DRIVER LOSING CONTROL, RUNNING OFF ROAD. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #803050

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 1995
Power Train

DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE, WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. TT

NHTSA ODI #967348

Official recalls

1

96V071000 · 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

4

PE94010 · Fuel Line Routing

Opened Feb 2, 1994 · Closed Apr 19, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

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

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