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 · Feb 11, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
IT WAS FOUND THAT NHTSA HAS BEEN CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM SINCE 1995 (INVESTIGATION # IE98080). WHEN A FORD DEALER WAS CONTACTED, HE EXPALAINED THAT FORD WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE HEAD GASKETS ON THE 3.8 LITER ENGINE. THEY HAVE SINCE BEEN CHANGED. COULD YOU PLEASE NOTIFY ME IF THERE HAS BEEN…
Read full complaint
IT WAS FOUND THAT NHTSA HAS BEEN CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM SINCE 1995 (INVESTIGATION # IE98080). WHEN A FORD DEALER WAS CONTACTED, HE EXPALAINED THAT FORD WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE HEAD GASKETS ON THE 3.8 LITER ENGINE. THEY HAVE SINCE BEEN CHANGED. COULD YOU PLEASE NOTIFY ME IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ENGINE FOR EARLY HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #703189
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
BLEW ENGINE HEAD GASKET AT 43000 MILES
NHTSA ODI #702975
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE REACHES 40-45MPH RPM'S, MOVES BUT DOES NOT ACCELLERATE. VEHICLE MUST BE COMPLETELY STOPPED BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE AGAIN. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834341
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 1999
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH AND SWITCHING GEARS THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #833801
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
FORD CONTACTED. COMPLAINT PLACED IN DATABASE NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN. WAITING FOR RECALL..... TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS ONLY $500 LESS THAN REPLACING THE ENTIRE ENGINE (LABOR INCL)
NHTSA ODI #702350
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS CAR IS IMMACUALTE AND MAINTENACE PERFORMED AS OUTLINED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT RECALL # 98-MO1 HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE, JUST NOT FOR MY MODEL. THIS IS REDICULOUS. IT IS MY FEELING THAT THE MUSTANG 3.8L ENGINE IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THAT THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON THE WINDSTAR, TAURUS, AN…
Read full complaint
THIS CAR IS IMMACUALTE AND MAINTENACE PERFORMED AS OUTLINED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT RECALL # 98-MO1 HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE, JUST NOT FOR MY MODEL. THIS IS REDICULOUS. IT IS MY FEELING THAT THE MUSTANG 3.8L ENGINE IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THAT THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON THE WINDSTAR, TAURUS, AND SABLE. JUST BECAUSE MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I PERSONALLY KNOW 2 OTHER INDIVIDUALS THAT ALSO HAVE 3.8L. MUSTANGS THAT HAVE BLOWN THEIR HEAD GASKETS IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THERE IS NO REASON THAT A WELL-MAINTAINED AUTOMOBILE THAT IS NOT DRIVEN HARD SHOULD BE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS FEW OF MILES. IT IS ALSO MY UNDRSTANDING THAT THE RECALL ENDED ON 12-31-98. I DID HAVE MY CAR IN AND DIAGONOSED AS HAVING A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM ON 12-28-98 AT ST. GEORGE FORD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #701918
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE OVERHEATED CAUSING THE ALUMINUM HEAD BLOCK TO CRACK. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #550255
Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE HAS A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. THERE IS A RECALL ON TAURUS WITH SAME ENGINE 3.8L. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND AWARE. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE RECALL. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. NO WARRANTY. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #832947
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 1998
Structure
NHTSA CAMPAIGN #97V180000 HAS NOT BEEN APPLIED TO MY CAR AND FORD REFUSES TO APPLY IT. HELP!
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
Illustration