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: 4 of 109 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.
Electrical System. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports31 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
109 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2000
Electrical System
I HAVE RECENTLY CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. MY FRIEND HAS A 1988 MUSTANG, WHO HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES. I AM AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER AND KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS THE RESULT OF A BAD DESIGN (I.E. THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE GETS TOO HOT, WHICH CAUSES THE TRANSISTORS…
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I HAVE RECENTLY CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. MY FRIEND HAS A 1988 MUSTANG, WHO HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES. I AM AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER AND KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS THE RESULT OF A BAD DESIGN (I.E. THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE GETS TOO HOT, WHICH CAUSES THE TRANSISTORS TO FUNCTION IMPROPERLY). THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM AND I HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE MANY LIVES TO FIGURE THIS OUT. THANK YOU, JOSH SHAW
NHTSA ODI #734816
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2000
Electrical System
WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS, THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE SURGES AND CUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. PROBLEM MOST OFTEN OCCURS WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT AND THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON.
NHTSA ODI #734391
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages
I HAD ADDED OIL THE PREVIOUS NIGHT, AND I CLOSED THE HOOD. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE NEXT MORNING (TRAVELING OVER THE HANOVER STREET BRIDGE IN BALTIMORE), THE HOOD SUDDENLY FLEW UP AND BACK AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. THE HOOD HAD COME LOOSE BEFORE, BUT THE SAFETY LATCH MIGHT HAVE CAUSED IT TO STAY DOWN. ALSO, I WASN'T MOVING THAT …
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I HAD ADDED OIL THE PREVIOUS NIGHT, AND I CLOSED THE HOOD. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE NEXT MORNING (TRAVELING OVER THE HANOVER STREET BRIDGE IN BALTIMORE), THE HOOD SUDDENLY FLEW UP AND BACK AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. THE HOOD HAD COME LOOSE BEFORE, BUT THE SAFETY LATCH MIGHT HAVE CAUSED IT TO STAY DOWN. ALSO, I WASN'T MOVING THAT FAST. I WAS GOING 55MPH OVER THE BRIDGE.I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT BECAUSE IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I'VE HEARD ABOUT THIS BEING A PROBLEM WITH MUSTANGS, AND I HAVE SEEN EVIDENCE MYSELF. I SAW ONE IN COLUMBIA, MD THAT HAD THE SAME CREASE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOOD (FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD), AND IT ALSO HAD THE VENT IN FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD BUSTED OUT. IS THIS A MECHANICAL FAILURE? IT SEEMS SO TO ME. I HOPE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM. ANY FEEDBACK WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. BRIAN WHEELER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #732567
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE THROTTLE SURGING HAD DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH REQUIRED REPAIR ALSO. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #555175
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2000
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
FUEL PUMP SAFETY SWITCH WOULD ENGAGE ON ITS OWN & CAR WOULDN'T START UNLESS YOU HIT THE SWITCH. ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND SO HAS BATTERY.
NHTSA ODI #732079
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2000
Power Train
THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS UNLESS CAR WAS OFF. ALSO CLUTCH CABLE BROKE, AND THE GEARS GRIND GOING IN REVERSE. THERE HAS BEEN 3 REPLACEMENTS OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, 2 OF THE CABLE, 3 OF THE GEARS AND NOW I'M GOING ON THE 4TH TIME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #732077
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CAR AT ANY SPEED WILL JUST SUDDENLY DIE ... USUALLY ITS WHEN IT IS REALLY WARM OUTSIDE......IVE RECENTLY READ A REPORT ABOUT DISTRIBUTER -MOUNTED TFI MODULES AND I BELEIVE ( SINCE MY MECHANIC CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM ) THAT THIS COULD BE THE CAUSE. ITS VERY SCARY WHEN DRIVING 55MPH AND THE CAR SUDDENLY DIES AND I HAVE NO POWE…
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THE CAR AT ANY SPEED WILL JUST SUDDENLY DIE ... USUALLY ITS WHEN IT IS REALLY WARM OUTSIDE......IVE RECENTLY READ A REPORT ABOUT DISTRIBUTER -MOUNTED TFI MODULES AND I BELEIVE ( SINCE MY MECHANIC CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM ) THAT THIS COULD BE THE CAUSE. ITS VERY SCARY WHEN DRIVING 55MPH AND THE CAR SUDDENLY DIES AND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE !!! I HOPE YOU WILL RECONSIDER A RECALL ON THIS SITUATION
NHTSA ODI #731895
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2000
Electrical System
HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 96V071000 AND CONTACTED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS OF IGNITION SWITCH. 4 YEARS LATER, IGNITION SWITCH HAD A SHORT. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR, WAS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER AGREED WITH DEALER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #868492
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2000
Electrical System
RECALL 96V071000/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE HAD A BROKEN IGNITION SWITCH, AND CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE RECALL WAS THE REASON FOR THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, MSNUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #863149
Mileage unknown · May 19, 2000
Electrical SystemFire
A FIRE STARTING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO A DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS AND ALTERNATOR WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *AK *ML
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