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1993 Ford Mustang

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1993 Ford Mustang do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 81.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 9 of 101 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 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports28 fire reports14 injury reports

What owners actually said

101 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY NAME IS [XXX] AS [XXX] I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN 1997 WHILE DRIVING MY SON IN LAWS FORD MUSTANG THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND SEAT BELT GRABBED WELL THE AIRBAG EXPLODED IN MY FACE CAUSE GREAT DAMAGE I LOST SITE IN RIGHT EYE BECAUSE OF IT PLUS THE SEAT BELT CUT ME INTO ON THE INSIDE AND I STILL HAVE MEDICAL ISSUES SON IN LAWS NAME IS …

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MY NAME IS [XXX] AS [XXX] I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN 1997 WHILE DRIVING MY SON IN LAWS FORD MUSTANG THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND SEAT BELT GRABBED WELL THE AIRBAG EXPLODED IN MY FACE CAUSE GREAT DAMAGE I LOST SITE IN RIGHT EYE BECAUSE OF IT PLUS THE SEAT BELT CUT ME INTO ON THE INSIDE AND I STILL HAVE MEDICAL ISSUES SON IN LAWS NAME IS [XXX] OF MUSK MICH HE HAD FULL COVERAGE THROUGH FARMERS GROUP BUT I RECEIVE NOTHING NOT EVEN MEDICAL CARE FROM THIS ACCIDENT OTHER THEN WHAT I PAID FOR. DO U HAVE ANY ADVISE ON THIS? I'M BLIND FOR LIFE I LOST GALLBLADDER AND STILL HAVE AN UNDERLYING PROBLEM IN STOMACH! I DON'T SEE HOW IT IS FAIR TO HAVE THOSE TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE STYLE OF AUTO AND ALL OF MY PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF THEM PLEASE HELP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664922

17,000 miles · Feb 23, 2008
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesStructure

I BOUGHT A 93 MUSTANG 4 CYLINDER WITH 12,000 MILES ON IT IN 12\93. THE CAR NOW ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT TOTAL. THE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK, THE HATCHBACK LATCH DOESN'T ENGAGE CORRECTLY, WHEN I GO TO LOCK THE IGNITION SWITCH, I HAVE TO CONTINUALLY JIGGLE THE GEARSHIFTER BEFORE THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL LOCK, AND THE AIR CONDIT…

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I BOUGHT A 93 MUSTANG 4 CYLINDER WITH 12,000 MILES ON IT IN 12\93. THE CAR NOW ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT TOTAL. THE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK, THE HATCHBACK LATCH DOESN'T ENGAGE CORRECTLY, WHEN I GO TO LOCK THE IGNITION SWITCH, I HAVE TO CONTINUALLY JIGGLE THE GEARSHIFTER BEFORE THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL LOCK, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS A LEAK IN IT SOMEWHERE. THESE PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURRING IN JUNE OF 2000, BUT DUE TO WARRANTY ONLY BEING GOOD FOR 3 YEARS, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEMS UNLESS I PAID FOR THE REPAIRS, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR ONLY HAD ~ 17,000 MILES ON IT AT THAT TIME. THE PAINT STARTED FADING OUT IN 1998. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218969

50,548 miles · Aug 22, 2006
Electrical SystemFire

1993 FORD MUSTANG IGNITION SYSTEM FIRE VEHICLE WAS IN GARAGE AFTER BEING DRIVEN THE DAY BEFORE. ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE STARTER THEN SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL FROM IGNITION WIRES BURNING UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A CLOTH AND I NOTI…

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1993 FORD MUSTANG IGNITION SYSTEM FIRE VEHICLE WAS IN GARAGE AFTER BEING DRIVEN THE DAY BEFORE. ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE STARTER THEN SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL FROM IGNITION WIRES BURNING UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A CLOTH AND I NOTICED THAT THE COATING ON THE WIRES UNDER THE WHEEL WERE BURNT OFF AND THE WIRE WAS CHARRED WHICH HAS RENDERED THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. AFTER SEARCHING THE WEB I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE VERY PROBLEM THAT I EXPERIENCED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V071000) I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT MY VEHICLE (EARLY 1993 MODEL) WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND SINCE IT WAS OVER 10 YEARS OLD THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT ANYWAY UNDER THE RECALL. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND NEED TO WAIT FOR THEIR RESPONSE. SO FAR THE FORD DEALERSHIPS LACK OF CONCERN OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS ISSUE ASTOUNDS ME. MY GARAGE COULD HAVE BURNED DOWN PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED ETC. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166251

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2006
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10163457

82,000 miles · Sep 7, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

STUCK GAS PEDAL THROTTLE LINKAGE CAUSING CONTINUOUS FULL THROTTLE TRANSMISSION KICK DOWN CABLE ON 1993 FORD MUSTANG 5.0 LX MUSTANG THAT CONTROLS FLUID DELIVERY TO TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE AND IS ATTACHED TO THROTTLE CONTROLS BY A GROMMET CAME OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE GROMMET FAILED PROBABLY DUE TO AGE, AND THE TRANSMISSION DEST…

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STUCK GAS PEDAL THROTTLE LINKAGE CAUSING CONTINUOUS FULL THROTTLE TRANSMISSION KICK DOWN CABLE ON 1993 FORD MUSTANG 5.0 LX MUSTANG THAT CONTROLS FLUID DELIVERY TO TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE AND IS ATTACHED TO THROTTLE CONTROLS BY A GROMMET CAME OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE GROMMET FAILED PROBABLY DUE TO AGE, AND THE TRANSMISSION DESTROYS THE OVERDRIVE PORTION OF ITS SELF LEAVING THE DRIVER ONLY ABLE TO GO APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN OVERDRIVE POSITION AND ANYTHING OVER THE SHIFTING SPEED INTO OVERDRIVE JUST LETS THE ENGINE RPM RUN AWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION TO SLIP. THE REAL PROBLEM THEN OCCURS IF THE DRIVER USES THE DRIVE POSITION TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND NO SLIPPING OF THE TRANSMISSION. IF THE ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED CLOSE TO THE FLOOR, IT ALLOWS THE NOW FLOATING FREE KICK DOWN CABLE TO JAM THE THROTTLE TO FULL OPEN CAUSING A STUCK ACCELERATOR AND THE ONLY WAY TO FREE IT IS TO GET TO NEUTRAL QUICKLY AND TURN OFF IGNITION SWITCH, THEN UNJAM THE CABLE AND THROTTLE LINKAGE BY HAND. POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS/INJURIES OR DEATHS COULD RESULT, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAPPENS FROM A STANDING STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, OR IN MY CASE, A HOUSING 25 MPH RESIDENTIAL ZONE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REBUILT AND THE GROMMET KICK DOWN CABLE GROMMET REPLACED. THE OLD GROMMET ON MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE CABLE AND GROMMET SHOULD BE ON SOME TYPE OF INSPECTION OR REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE/OR REDESIGNED TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING. I HAVE SEEN TWO OTHER MUSTANGS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD WITH ONE OF THE VEHICLES BEING DRIVEN BY A YOUNG FEMALE WHO PULLED THE VEHICLE IN TO MY WORK AREA(LOT) WITH A RUN AWAY ENGINE IE STUCK GAS PEDAL. I UNSTUCK HER KICKDOWN CABLE AND GAVE HER ADVICE ON REPAIRS AND WHAT WAS WRONG AND COULD HAPPEN.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10135752

100,000 miles · Jul 22, 2005
Electrical SystemFireInjury

DT: THE VEHICLE BLEW UP AND CAUGHT ON FIRE DAMAGING 3 OTHER VEHICLE AROUND IT. THE FIRE MARSHAL CAME OUT AND SAID IT WAS MECHIANICAL AND ELECTRICAL DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS COMING TO INVESTAGATE. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10125862

62,000 miles · Apr 7, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE COMMENCED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AT 55 MPH. VEHICLE SPEED UP TO 80 MPH BEFORE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. CONSUMER SHIFTE D THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING AND SMOKING BEFORE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH…

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VEHICLE COMMENCED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AT 55 MPH. VEHICLE SPEED UP TO 80 MPH BEFORE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. CONSUMER SHIFTE D THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING AND SMOKING BEFORE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10117609

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2004
Electrical SystemFire

CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE 30 TO 40 MILES TO A DOCTOR. PARKED FOR 10 MINUTES, AND CAR WAS REPORTED ON FIRE. FIRE FIGHTER SAID ALTENATOR STARTED THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE ALTENATOR HAD BEEN REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10090112

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2004
Visibility

ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE CLOSING THE DOORS WINDOWS SHATTERED, FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED ON DRIVER'S SIDE. 2 MONTHS LATER, WINDOW ON PASSENGER'S SIDE SHATTERED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067489

130,129 miles · Apr 5, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

I'VE CALLED FORD AND MY FORD DEALERS ABOUT THIS. THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE 79-93 MUSTANG. CONSEQUENTLY, THEY DON'T OFFER A FIX EITHER, BUT I'VE DISCOVERED A KERNEL OF TRUTH THAT IS QUITE DIFFERENT WHILE LOOKING AT MUSTANG ACCIDENT FIRES ON THE INTERNET. I DIDN'T FIND MORE THAN A DOZEN REAL EXAMPLES AND…

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I'VE CALLED FORD AND MY FORD DEALERS ABOUT THIS. THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE 79-93 MUSTANG. CONSEQUENTLY, THEY DON'T OFFER A FIX EITHER, BUT I'VE DISCOVERED A KERNEL OF TRUTH THAT IS QUITE DIFFERENT WHILE LOOKING AT MUSTANG ACCIDENT FIRES ON THE INTERNET. I DIDN'T FIND MORE THAN A DOZEN REAL EXAMPLES AND ONLY FOUND A FEW PICTURES OF THE BURNT MUSTANGS AND ACTUAL ARTICLES OF SPECIFIC DEAD VICTIMS BUT THE FIRES WERE HORRIBLE AND SOME DIED WHILE OTHERS LIVED WITH SEVERE GASOLINE BURNS ALL OVER THEIR BODIES. THE 79-93 MUSTANGS LIKE MY 93 MUSTANG HAVE GONE UP IN FLAMES WHEN REAR ENDED AT SPEEDS UNDER 50 MPH AND HAVE LEAKED FUEL WHEN HIT UNDER 30 MPH. IRONICALLY, IT APPEARS THAT THE 79-93 MUSTANG IS MORE LIKELY TO GO UP IN FLAMES THAN THE 92-2001 CROWN VICTORIA BECAUSE IT IS MUCH LIGHTER AND FLIMSIER THAN THE FULL FRAMED CROWN VIC WITH ITS HUGE FULL SIZE TRUNK. THE MUSTANG GAS TANK IS ONLY A FEW INCHES FROM THE BUMPER, AND IT'S SANDWICHED BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE AND THE ACTUAL SHEET METAL OF THE MUSTANG BODY. IT'S ACTUALLY LESS THAN AN INCH FROM THE SHEET METAL IN THE BACK AND ONLY A FEW INCHES FROM THE AXLE IN THE FRONT. I'VE HAD TWO FAST-SPILLING FUEL LEAKS TWICE IN SIX MONTHS WITHOUT EVER BEING REAR ENDED. I'VE OBSERVED THAT THE GAS CAN MIGRATE UNDER THE TANK WHERE THE LEAK IS AND EVEN CLIMB UP THE SIDES OF THE TANK AND ANY METAL IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH. FROM THIS OBSERVATION, I UNDERSTAND IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE GASOLINE TO IGNITE IF IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SPARK UNDER THE CAR OR THE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. I UNDERSTAND THE 93 MUSTANG IS VERY LIKELY TO SPILL GAS WHEN HIT OVER 30 MPH, AND IT CAN ALSO SPILL GAS WHEN HIT AT LOWER SPEEDS, BASED ON TESTS AVAILABLE FROM THE NHTSA. I WISH FORD WITH COME OUT WITH A STRONGER SMALLER SAFETY GAS TANK TO REPLACE THE STANDARD 15 GALLON TANK WOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND SUCH COLLISIONS AND WOULD NOT LEAK FUEL FROM THE FILLER PIPE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10064595

Official recalls

2

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.

93V159000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

Sep 27, 1993

THE FUEL RAIL THAT PROVIDES THE FUEL SUPPLY TO THE FUEL INJECTORS HAS AN IMPROPERLY FORMED TUBE WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FRACTURE, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CANRESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL WILL BE REPLACED.

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

1

PE94058 · Front Brake Rotor Failure

Opened Jul 25, 1994 · Closed Oct 11, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available