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1990 Ford Mustang

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1990 Ford Mustang do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 81.

About this comparison →
85Owner complaints

Model-year median: 81

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
38
1987108
1988109
198985
199077
199169
1992101
1993
Compare all Mustang years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
35Engine And Engine Cooling
10Air Bags
9Vehicle Speed Control
8Fuel System, Gasoline
5
All reported categories
Power Train
5Exterior Lighting
4Seats
4Structure
4Seat Belts
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Steering
3Latches/locks/linkages
2Visibility
2Wheels
2Equipment
1Parking Brake
1Suspension
1Tires
1Unknown Or Other
1

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: 3 of 85 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 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. 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.

10 crash reports29 fire reports7 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

A BAFFEL INTERNAL TO THE FUEL TANK HAS BROKEN OFF CAUSING A LOUD "CLUNKING" WHEN THE CAR HITS BUMPS. THE FAILURE IS COMMON IN THIS MODEL OF MUSTANGS. I SPOKE WITH A MECHANIC ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HE SAID THE SAME THING HAPPENED IN HIS 1988 MUSTANG. THE DANGER IS THAT A LOOSE METAL OBJECT IN THE FUEL TANK COULD CAUSE A SPARK WHIC…

Read full complaint

A BAFFEL INTERNAL TO THE FUEL TANK HAS BROKEN OFF CAUSING A LOUD "CLUNKING" WHEN THE CAR HITS BUMPS. THE FAILURE IS COMMON IN THIS MODEL OF MUSTANGS. I SPOKE WITH A MECHANIC ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HE SAID THE SAME THING HAPPENED IN HIS 1988 MUSTANG. THE DANGER IS THAT A LOOSE METAL OBJECT IN THE FUEL TANK COULD CAUSE A SPARK WHICH COULD EXPLODE THE TANK.

NHTSA ODI #730567

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL PUMP HAD A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT BURNED THE WIRE HARNESS/ LINKAGES THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND THE FUEL GAUGE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #846303

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 1997
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFire

ALTERNATOR FAILED FIVE TIMES, ONCE RESULTING IN A FIRE. IN ADDITION, UNDER DASH ELECTRICAL WIRES SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN A FIRE. ALSO REPLACED FUEL PUMP/ 2 COOLING FANS AND THROTTLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #518809

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 1997
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED WHE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OVER A RAILROAD CROSSING.

NHTSA ODI #546752

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 1995
Fuel System, GasolineFire

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, UNKNOWN CAUSE OF FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI #969846

Official recalls

1

96V071000 · Electrical System:ignition

Apr 25, 1996

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

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

3

PE94010 · Fuel Line Routing

Opened Feb 2, 1994 · Closed Apr 19, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE91137 · Hood Latch Failures

Opened Oct 9, 1991 · Closed Feb 27, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE91089 · Throttle Sticks, High Idle

Opened Jun 19, 1991 · Closed Nov 26, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available