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: 53 of 602 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 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 · Aug 13, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET LEAKING. TECHNICIAN STATES THIS MODEL ENGINE HAS A PROBLEM WITH "ROTTED" OUT HEAD GASKETS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 3000 MILES (ALL RECORDS AVAILABLE). SEALS TO THE INNER TIE RODS ON THE RACK & PINION BEGAN LEAKING, NOT SERVICEABLE, NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RACK ASSY. POWER STEERING FLUID CHANGED YEARLY. ALSO,…
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HEAD GASKET LEAKING. TECHNICIAN STATES THIS MODEL ENGINE HAS A PROBLEM WITH "ROTTED" OUT HEAD GASKETS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 3000 MILES (ALL RECORDS AVAILABLE). SEALS TO THE INNER TIE RODS ON THE RACK & PINION BEGAN LEAKING, NOT SERVICEABLE, NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RACK ASSY. POWER STEERING FLUID CHANGED YEARLY. ALSO, REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSY REBUILT UNDER MANUFACTURES WARRANTY @ ABOUT 35000, DUE TO A "WHINNING" NOISE. NOISE RETURNED @ ABOUT 45000, NOW OFF WARRANTY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #727751
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages
THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE HOOD SEPARATED AND FLEW OFF OF THE CAR AND LANDED ON THE GROUND AND WAS RUN OVER BY THE CAR BEHIND. THE HOOD SEEMS TO BE MADE OF 2 PIECES SANDWICHED TOGETHER. THE TOP HALF OF THE ENTIRE HOOD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE BOTTOM HALF. THIS WAS A SAFETY RECALL ITEM AND FORD CLAIMS IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE DE…
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THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE HOOD SEPARATED AND FLEW OFF OF THE CAR AND LANDED ON THE GROUND AND WAS RUN OVER BY THE CAR BEHIND. THE HOOD SEEMS TO BE MADE OF 2 PIECES SANDWICHED TOGETHER. THE TOP HALF OF THE ENTIRE HOOD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE BOTTOM HALF. THIS WAS A SAFETY RECALL ITEM AND FORD CLAIMS IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER THAT DID THE REPAIR IN 1998 HAS CHANGED COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND SAID THEY DONT HAVE A DETAILED RECORD OF REPAIR. DEALER AND FORD BOTH CLAIM THAT REPAIR WAS WARRANTED FOR ONLY 12 MONTHS. IT SEEMS THE REPAIR WASNT SUFFICIENT. I THINK WE SHOULD EXPECT OUR AUTOMOBILES NOT TO FLY APART AND BECOME MISSLES THAT MAY INJURE OR KILL PEOPLE. FORD ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER . I AM TAKING IT TO FREEHOLD FORD IN FREEHOLD, NJ 732-462-3131. *AK
NHTSA ODI #725907
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2000
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE HAD A LOT OF HESITATION WHEN SHE APPLIED GAS PEDAL. ALSO, TORQUE CONVERTED WAS DEFECTIVE. DEALERSHIP TOLD CONSUMER THAT INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #865333
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2000
Parking Brake
CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPYING THE BRAKES. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HOUSING OF THE PARKING BRAKES WAS COMING APART. ALSO, WHEN ENTERING VEHICLE, IT MAKES IT FALL ONTO THE DRIVESHAFT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #865109
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING. SOMETIMES IT IS VERY HARD TO START UP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #865016
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2000
Unknown Or Other
THERE ARE RECALL NOTICES FOR AIRBAGS ON THIS YEAR/MAKE/MODEL/ I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF MY CURRENT PROBLEM INDICATES A POSSIBLE RECALL PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT, INQUIRY CONCERNING AIR BAG RECALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #724186
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2000
Seats
SEAT TRACK ON DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE IN HALF, CAUSING SEAT TO WOBBLE BACK AND FORTH ON TRACK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. SEAT TRACK WAS BEING REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. NEW TRACK NOT THE SAME AS THE OLD ONE. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #863475
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE OVERHEATED, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO HIGH, THIS COULD CAUSE VISIBILITY PROBLEM IF STEAM CAME FROM EXAUST. *AK
NHTSA ODI #863206
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
RADIATOR OVER HEATED AND CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED MY HEAD GASKET TO BLOW AND ALSO CRACKED THE HEAD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723663
Mileage unknown · May 31, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKETS. DEALER WOULDN'T COVER IT BECAUSE THE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY OF THE LETTER. *AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
1995 Ford Mustang Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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