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1994 Ford Mustang

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mustang years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Ford Mustang are substantially higher than the model-year median of 81.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 35 of 356 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 160 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 35 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 reports19 fire reports16 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

35 reports
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42,480 miles · Jan 9, 2019
Air BagsWheelsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE RIM. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SLID INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND WENT AIRBORNE INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE RIM. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SLID INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND WENT AIRBORNE INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE PURCHASED FOUR TIRES FROM SAM'S CLUB AND THAT THE WRONG TIRE SIZE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,480.

NHTSA ODI #11166008

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. A DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER WAS FORTHCOMING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10468778

138,144 miles · Nov 10, 2005
Air BagsEngine And Engine Cooling

DT: CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED ALL THE SENSORS WERE IN PLACE. THE DEALER WAS OFFERING NO FREE REMEDY. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED. UPDATED…

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DT: CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED ALL THE SENSORS WERE IN PLACE. THE DEALER WAS OFFERING NO FREE REMEDY. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED. UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10142357

110,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

THE MAJOR PROBLEM WAS THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE (AFTER 100,000 MILES) WITH THE ENGINE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT ANY TIME REGARDING THIS RECALL. FORD DENIES THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A RECALL AND THAT IT WAS MY FAULT THAT THE ENGINE WENT SINCE I DO NOT DO ALL MY REPAIRS AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND IF I HAD, I WOULD'V…

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THE MAJOR PROBLEM WAS THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE (AFTER 100,000 MILES) WITH THE ENGINE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT ANY TIME REGARDING THIS RECALL. FORD DENIES THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A RECALL AND THAT IT WAS MY FAULT THAT THE ENGINE WENT SINCE I DO NOT DO ALL MY REPAIRS AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND IF I HAD, I WOULD'VE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE PROBLEM. EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY MAIL OR BY PHONE OF THIS PROBLEM, FORD TOLD ME THAT SINCE THE CAR WENT OVER 100,000 MILES AND WAS THREE MONTHE PAST THE DEADLINE DATE THAT I WAS OUT OF LUCK AND THAT THERE WOULD BE NO EXTENSIONS OR EXCEPTIONS. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM THAT I HAVE IS THAT I DID NOT EXPERIENCE A HEAD GASKET FAILURE DURING THEIR SO CALLED WARRANTY EXTENSION PERIOD AND THAT MY 1994 FORD MUSTANG ONLY FAILED SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXTENSION EXPIRED. A DEFECTIVE PART IS A DEFECTIVE PART FROM THE DAY OF MANUFACTURE TO THE DAY THE CAR IS JUNKED UNLESS THE PART IS REPAIRED OR REPLACED. SO MUCH TIME AND MONEY WAS PUT OUT BY ME BECAUSE OF FORD'S LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. I DESERVED TO HAVE BEEN REIMBURSED BY THE FORD MOTOR CORPORATION BUT IN TURN I RECEIVED NOTHING. I COULD GO ON BUT THIS IS VERY UPSETTING TO ME. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

NHTSA ODI #10070954

70,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Air BagsPower TrainTires

POWER DOOR LOCK ON PASS. SIDE INOPERATIVE TIRES IN REAR OF VEHICLE WEAR ON INNER SIDE, HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO HAVE ALIGNMENT DONE AT DIFFERENT MAINTENANCE FACILITIES. TRANSMISSION HAS INTERMITTENT SHIFT PROBLEMS (SURGES) BETWEEN 3-4 GEARS WHEN CAR IS WARM. AT PRESENT TIME IT IS A CONSTANT ISSUE NOW AND IT IS MY ONLY VEHI…

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POWER DOOR LOCK ON PASS. SIDE INOPERATIVE TIRES IN REAR OF VEHICLE WEAR ON INNER SIDE, HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO HAVE ALIGNMENT DONE AT DIFFERENT MAINTENANCE FACILITIES. TRANSMISSION HAS INTERMITTENT SHIFT PROBLEMS (SURGES) BETWEEN 3-4 GEARS WHEN CAR IS WARM. AT PRESENT TIME IT IS A CONSTANT ISSUE NOW AND IT IS MY ONLY VEHICLE. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON MOST OF THE TIME BUT SOMETIMES CYCLES OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10069036

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2002
Air BagsFire

TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER DUE TO AIR BAG LIGHT ON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #762161

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE EXITING AN AREA AND GOING INTO TRAFFIC VEHICLE GOT HIT ON DRIVER'S SIDE, AND AIR BAGS EXPLODED, BUT DID NT DEPLOY IN CRASH. CONSUMER WAS CHOKING ON AIRBAG FUMES WHEN EXPLODED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #893421

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2001
Air Bags

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL FLASH ON DASHBOARD. THEN, LIGHT WILL STAY ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER TIGHTENED GROUND TO MODULE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #890772

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2001
Air Bags

WAS TRAVELING 50MPH AND SUDDENLY/WITHOUT ANY WARNING PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AFTER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #888299

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 35 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #880019

Official recalls

4

01V318000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Oct 3, 2001

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE REPLACED AFTER APRIL 5, 2000. THE REPLACEMENT DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE INFLATOR MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT WELDS THAT COULD PREVENT PROPER INFLATION OF THE AIR BAG.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OCCUPANT PROTECTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

00V349000 · Parking Brake:conventional

Oct 30, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. IF A VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE NOT FULLY APPLIED AND NOT IN FIRST GEAR, AS DIRECTED IN THE OWNER GUIDE, AND THE SELF ADJUSTMENT PAWL SUBSEQUENTLY SKIPS ONE OR TWO TEETH, THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE ON SOME GRADES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL AND INSTALL A PLATE OR OVER-BRACKET TO THE CONTROL TO LOCK THE SELF ADJUST MECHANISM IN POSITION FOLLOWING ADJUSTMENT.

97V180000 · Structure:body:hood

Oct 20, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS. TEARING OF THE BOND BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER HOOD PANELS DURING MINOR FRONT END COLLISIONS CAN RESULT IN A GAP AT THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD. AIR FORCED BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER PANELS CAN PRODUCE ENOUGH PRESSURE TO FORCE THE OUTER PANEL UPWARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN TOTAL SEPARATION OF THE OUTER HOOD PANEL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD AREA FOR ANY DAMAGE ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD. IF THERE IS ANY EVIDENCE OF BOND SEPARATION, THE HOOD WILL BE REPLACED. IF THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF BOND SEPARATION, ADDITIONAL ADHESIVE WILL BE APPLIED BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER HOOD PANELS.

95V062000 · Seats

Mar 27, 1995

THE WIRE HARNESS ON THESE SEATS IS BANDED TO THE FRONT SEAT CUSHION SUPPORTS. THE END OF ONE OF THE SUPPORTS CAN PUNCTURE THE HARNESS, RESULTING IN A HIGH RESISTANCE ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATING CAN RESULT, AND MELTING, SMOKE AND POSSIBLE IGNITION OF THE SURROUNDING MATERIALS CAN OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TIE STRAP FROM EACH OF THE FRONT SEATS.

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

EA98013 · Parking Brake

Opened May 27, 1998 · Closed Oct 31, 2000

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

There is no summary currently available

PE97051 · Parking Brake Failure

Opened Dec 23, 1997 · Closed May 27, 1998

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

THE NUMBER OF CRASHES REPORTED TOT HE MANUFACTURER WARRANTS FURTHER THIS INVESTIGATION

EA97018 · Outer Hood Panel Detachment

Opened Sep 30, 1997 · Closed Oct 22, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE97011 · Outer Hood Panel Detachment

Opened Mar 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 30, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION HAS RECEIVED 6 REPORTS INDICATING THE OUTER HOOD PANEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLES AS THEY WERE BEING DRIVEN.FORD HAS PROVIDE 39 ADDITIONAL REPORTS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH ODI REPORTS.FORD INDICATES THAT THE LIKELY CAUSE IS PRIOR COLLISION DAMAGE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.