Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 339 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

48 crash reports29 fire reports25 injury reports

What owners actually said

602 reports

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2000

Steering

CONSUMER CAN'T TURN CAR OFF, STEERING ACTUATOR LEVER IS MADE OF PLASTIC, AND AT END THERE'S A METAL PIN, PIN IS OUT, SO THERE'S JUST A HOLE. CONSUMER STATES CAR CAN CATCH FIRE BECAUSE CAN'T TURN IT OFF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #876554

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2000

Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO DEFECT IN DESIGN, CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE SHE FAILED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WITHIN A SPECIFIED TIME, MANUFACTURER STATED THEY SENT A LETTER BUT THE CONSUMER SAID SHE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER. NLM

NHTSA ODI #558600

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2000

Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVisibility

HEATER IS NOT WORKING. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #558486

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2000

Engine And Engine Cooling

Read full complaint

HEAD GASKET FAILURE WITH NO WARNING- RECEIVED LETTER ABOUT HEAD GASKET I CALLED 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS THEY BOTH ADVISED ME IF THERE WAS NOT OVERHEATING OR WATER LOSE THEN THERE WAS NO NEED TO BRING IN. I CALLED TODAY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND SHE TOLD ME THERE WAS RECALL AND SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT IN IT UPSETING TO KNOW THERE WAS RECALL AND I COULD HAVE GOTTEN CHECKED BEFORE THE 100,000 MILES WAS UP. FORD HAS PROBLEM AND SHOULD FIX THESE PROBLEMS. THE CAR QUIT ALL OF A SUDDEN WITH NO WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737774

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2000

Electrical System

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INNER PORTION OF KEYSWICH ROTATES INDEPENDANTLY OF OUTER PLASTIC/METAL PORTION. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO INSERT KEY, AND VERY DIFFICULT TO START VEHICLE. AND IN MANY CASES, CAR STARTS, BUT ALL 12VOLT ACCESSORIES (AL THAT USE THE IGN. ON 12V+ WIRING) WILL FAIL TO WORK (IE:RADIO, AC BLOWER, INTERIOR LIGHTING, GAUGES). ALSO SPOKE TO 10-12 OTHER 1995 MUSTANG (BASE AND GT OWNERS) OWNERS, AND THEY ALL HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, AND POSSIBLY IN EXTREME CASES CAUSE A FIRE NEAR THE AIRBAG ASSY. FORD CHANGED THE IGNITION KEY SYSTEM IN 1996. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737746

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2000

Electrical System

MY 1995 MUSTANG'S IGNITION SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE. OFTENTIMES IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO INSERT OR REMOVE MY KEY, AND THE BLACK SWITCH GUARD AROUND THE KEY HAS ABOUT 1/2" OF FREE PLAY. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER MUSTANG OWNERS WHO HAVE NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM ON THEIR '95S. ONCE MY KEY WOULDN'T GO IN AT ALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737011

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2000

Electrical System

IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT ACCEPT KEY. THE LOCK CYLINDER IS BAD..AND THIS IS COMMON WITH 5 OTHER MUSTANG OWNERS I PERSONALLY KNOW OF. (94-95 YEARS AFFECTED). *AK

NHTSA ODI #737006

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2000

Electrical System

WHEN PUT IN REVERSE IT BLOWS THE FUSE TO BACK UP LIGHTS,AIR BAG MODULE. ETC.*AK

NHTSA ODI #736951

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2000

Parking Brake

VEHICLE ROLLED AND CRASHED INTO A SEMI TRAILER, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED, THERE IS A RECALL 00V349, THE DEALER IS STATING THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #557558

Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2000

Engine And Engine Cooling

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I AM EXTREMELY UPSET WITH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT A CAR WITH ONLY 67,000 MILES WOULD JUST BLOW BOTH HEAD GASKETS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE $1180.00 IS COMPLETELY UNAFFORDABLE FOR ME, FOR THE FACT THAT I AM FINISHING MY COLLEGE EDUCATION. WAITING TABLES IN THE EVENING AT BENNIGAN'S JUST IS NOT ENOUGH TO COVER THIS PRICEY REPAIR. WHEN I BOUGHT THE MUSTANG I FIGURED IF I BUY A DECENT VEHICLE WITH A REASONABLE PAYMENT I CAN RUN IT FOR QUITE A WHILE WITH OUT ANY SERIOUS REPAIR. AND SO NOW ON TOP OF THE $165.00 A MONTH PAYMENT I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY FOR $1180.00 COURTESY OF THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I PLAN ON CONTACTING FORD THE FIRST CHANCE I GET AND TELL THEM ABOUT THIS RIDICULOUS PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #736858

Official recalls

01V390000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Dec 21, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING TO SEIZE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED WHICH COULD MELT THE FAN MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE COOLING FAN MOTOR COULD IGNITE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CIRCUIT BREAKER. IF THE COOLING FAN IS INOPERATIVE, THE FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 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.

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.

95V134000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Jul 17, 1995

THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS WITH INCORRECT TAPER BALL STUDS. THE INCORRECT TAPERED BALL STUDS CAN FRACTURE WITHIN 50,000 MILES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A FRACTURED BALL STUD CAN RESULT IN A NOTICEABLE SHAKE OR SHIMMY AND COULD CAUSE THE AFFECTED WHEEL TO TUCK INWARD OR OUTWARD, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE OUTER TIE ROD ENDS AND REPLACE THE INCORRECTLY TAPERED BALL STUDS.

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

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.