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 · Dec 17, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING. WHEN I LOOKED AT DASH THE TEMP GAGE WAS ON HOT AND BURNING SMELL CAME FROM ENGINE. PULLED OVER HAD CAR TAKEN TO CHINO HILLS FORD AND WAS TOLD HEAD GASKET BLEW. I WAS TOLD THESE THINGS JUST HAPPEN SOMETIMES. WORK DONE WAS HEADGASKET BLOWN R/R CYL…
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WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING. WHEN I LOOKED AT DASH THE TEMP GAGE WAS ON HOT AND BURNING SMELL CAME FROM ENGINE. PULLED OVER HAD CAR TAKEN TO CHINO HILLS FORD AND WAS TOLD HEAD GASKET BLEW. I WAS TOLD THESE THINGS JUST HAPPEN SOMETIMES. WORK DONE WAS HEADGASKET BLOWN R/R CYLINDER HEADBOTH SIDES SEND OUT FOR VALVE JOB,REPLACED FRONT COVER GASKET AND WATER PUMP GASKET AND FRONT SEAL///////REGARDING THE A/C WHEN I DROVE WITH THE A/C ON I WOULD HEAR A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. SAME DEALER REGAPED CLUTCH AND FIELD IN A/C COMPRESSOR
NHTSA ODI #701422
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 1998
Structure
MY NAME IS JAMES. I AM WRITING ON BEHALF OF MY WIFE. THERE WAS NO FAILURE OF EQUIPEMENT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT YOUR RECORDS SHOW A RECALL FOR MY 95 MUSTANG CONCERNING THE HOOD. THE RECALL WAS INITIATED IN 1997. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A "FORD DEALERSHIP" IN MARCH OF 1998. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, WE KNEW OF THE RECALL FROM …
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MY NAME IS JAMES. I AM WRITING ON BEHALF OF MY WIFE. THERE WAS NO FAILURE OF EQUIPEMENT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT YOUR RECORDS SHOW A RECALL FOR MY 95 MUSTANG CONCERNING THE HOOD. THE RECALL WAS INITIATED IN 1997. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A "FORD DEALERSHIP" IN MARCH OF 1998. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, WE KNEW OF THE RECALL FROM A FRIEND WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. WE SPECIFICALLY ASKED IF IT WAS TAKEN CARE OF. THE SALESMAN DID AN INQUIRY AND WE WERE SHOWN A PRINTOUT WHICH CONFIRMED THAT OUR VIN# DID NOT HAVE ANY RECALLS. 6 MONTHS LATER(SEPT), WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ITEM WE SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED. THE TOP OF THE HOOD SEPARATING FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE FATAL. FORTUNATELY, MY WIFE AND I ARE GOOD DRIVERS. I CANNOT BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW ANGRY I AM. OTHER MANUFACTURERS MAKE NATIONAL MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND FORD DIDN'T EVEN LET THEIR OWN DEALERSHIP KNOW OF THIS LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. YOUR WEB PAGE INFORMATION INDICATES THE ENTIRE YEAR WAS RECALLED. TO ME, THIS MEANS THERE WERE NO EXEMPT VIN#'S! I HAVE CALLED FORD TWICE. THEY SAID TO CALL YOUR OFFICES. I HOPE THERE ARE NO FATALITIES CAUSED BY THEIR OBVIOUS LACK OF URGENCY. 2000 CHARACTERS IS NOT ENOUGH. I WILL ALSO CALL. THANK YOU, JAMES A. JENSEN JR.
NHTSA ODI #701294
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE ENGINE OVERHEATING; VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, AND REPLACED THERMOSTAT TWICE AND DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH WAS UNABLE TO SHOW THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #829778
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
WATER LEAKED OUT AND WITHIN 1/2 HOUR OF DRIVING ON ROAD, AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE STOPPED COMPLETELY. ENTIRE ENGINE WAS INTERNALLY DAMAGED. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #829533
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 1998
Power Train
DEALER INDICATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD MUSTANG AND THEY HAD REPAIRED MANY VEHICLES DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER. WITH ONLY 21000 MILES THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. FORD MOTOR SHOULD EXTEND THEIR WARRENTY TO COVER THIS PART OR RECALL THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #700091
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 1998
Electrical System
DUE TO LOOSE WIRING THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS EXTERIOR AND INTERIORS LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828721
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 1998
Latches/locks/linkages
HOOD LATCH POPPED OFF PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETED.
NHTSA ODI #780964
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1998
Exterior Lighting
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #541045
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT END VIBRATES. THE DEALER INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE ROTORS ARE WARPED. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ROTOTR TWICE. *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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