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: 35 of 356 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 160 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
22 crash reports19 fire reports16 injury reports
What owners actually said
356 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON MAY OF 2000, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATING THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. UPON RECEIVING THIS LETTER MAY 11, 2000 I CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR CO. AND ASKED THEM IF I COULD BRING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT CHECKED OUT TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE.…
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ON MAY OF 2000, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATING THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. UPON RECEIVING THIS LETTER MAY 11, 2000 I CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR CO. AND ASKED THEM IF I COULD BRING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT CHECKED OUT TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. THE REQUEST WAS DENIED. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM HAD TO ACTUALLY HAPPEN BEFORE IT COULD BE DETECTED. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR A YEAR AND A HALF AND NOW THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURED. MY SON WHO WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME WAS PLACED IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE CAR VIBRATED AND DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. AN ORANGE LIQUID LEAKED OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE AND WHITE SMOKE ALSO POORED OUT OF THE PIPE. HE MANAGED TO PUSH THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC I HAVE KNOW FOR QUITE SOMETIME, HE INFORMED ME IT WAS DEFINATE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO, THEY WERE EXTREMELY RUDE AND TOLD ME THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE HANDLED WITH THEM BECAUSE IT WAS PAST THE WARRANTY OF 7 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS 85,000 MILES AND I HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. MY COMPLAINT IS WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO SUFFER FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE. I WAS NOT TOLD WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THAT THERE WAS ANY SORT OF PROBLEM THAT MIGHT OCCUR BECAUSE OF A POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE PART. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU WOULD LOOK INTO THIS MATTER ASAP. WHEN I WAS ON-LINE I FOUND NUMEROUS MUSTANG OWNERS THAT ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION AS ME. I FEEL SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO MAKE THIS COMPANY PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE, ESPECIALLY A MISTAKE THAT COULD BE FATAL. THANK YOU, [XXX] [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #741183
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 35 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #880019
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2001
Visibility
THE TAD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DEFROSTER CAME OFF CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY, THE CONSUMER HAD IT REPAIRED AND ALMOST A YEAR LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE TAB CAME OFF. NLM
NHTSA ODI #559119
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
FAULTY GASKET CAUSED TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT LEAKAGE...TOTAL LOSS...HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS - FORD SHOULD RECALL...AND ENGINE SHOULD LAST BEYOND 50000 MILES....POOR QUALITY SHOULD BE COMPENSATED.
NHTSA ODI #739439
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET BLEW FUSING SOMETHING ELSE AND REQUIRING AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #738957
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2000
Seat Belts
RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS STUCK. IT CANNOT BE USED, AND LEAVES OCCUPANT WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT DURING A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND NOTHING WOULD BE DONE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #876724
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENIGNE. DEALER WILL NOT COVER HEAD GASKET BECAUSE ITS WARRANTY EXPIRED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #876375
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET OUT? WARRANTY RECALL? *AK
NHTSA ODI #737738
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train
ORDERED VEHICLE IN 1994, HAD IT 2 DAYS WHEN A RATTLING STARTED FROM UNDERNEATH, WAS AN UNTIGHTENED BOLT. IN SUMMER/1995, A/C DIDN'T WORK. IN SPRING/1996, TRANSMISSION WAS VIBRATING ON INCLINES AT 25 TO 30 MPH. IN SPRING/SUMMER 1997, TRANSMISSION WAS CAUSING TACTOMETER TO RACE TO 3000RPM WHEN ONLY GOING 25 MPH. IN WINTER OF 2…
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ORDERED VEHICLE IN 1994, HAD IT 2 DAYS WHEN A RATTLING STARTED FROM UNDERNEATH, WAS AN UNTIGHTENED BOLT. IN SUMMER/1995, A/C DIDN'T WORK. IN SPRING/1996, TRANSMISSION WAS VIBRATING ON INCLINES AT 25 TO 30 MPH. IN SPRING/SUMMER 1997, TRANSMISSION WAS CAUSING TACTOMETER TO RACE TO 3000RPM WHEN ONLY GOING 25 MPH. IN WINTER OF 2000, VEHICLE OVERHEATED, REPLACED THERMOSTAT TWICE. AFTER OVERHEATING 3 TIMES, AND FINALLY HAVING TO BE TOWED, IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET CAUSING PRESSURE TO BUILD WITHIN THE COOLING SYSTEM FORCING COOLENT OUT OF THE OVERFLOW RESERVE. MECHANIC SAW THIS ONLY HAPPEN IN 3 OTHER VEHICLES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #737498
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN I FIRST RECEIVED THE CAR IT WASNT EVEN A MONTH AND THE FIRST HEADGASKET BLEW, NEXT IT HAPPENED ONE YEAR TO THE DATE AS SOON AS COLD WEATHER CAME AROUND. THEN THE 3RD HAPPENED A YEAR FOLLOWING THAT DATE (COMING AGAIN INTO COLD WEATHER. ) NOW I'M INTO ESTIMATES REACHING UP TO OVER $2000 IN REPAIR AND MACHINED HEAD WORK. FI…
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WHEN I FIRST RECEIVED THE CAR IT WASNT EVEN A MONTH AND THE FIRST HEADGASKET BLEW, NEXT IT HAPPENED ONE YEAR TO THE DATE AS SOON AS COLD WEATHER CAME AROUND. THEN THE 3RD HAPPENED A YEAR FOLLOWING THAT DATE (COMING AGAIN INTO COLD WEATHER. ) NOW I'M INTO ESTIMATES REACHING UP TO OVER $2000 IN REPAIR AND MACHINED HEAD WORK. FINALLY, I AM AT MY 4TH!!! NOW I AM INTO AN ADDITONAL HEAD GASKET REPAIR. THIS IS VERY AGGRAVATTING BECAUSE I LOVE MUSTANGS. PLEASE CONTACT IF ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE WILL HELP ME. *AK
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 WIRE HARNESS ON THESE SEATS IS BANDED TO THE FRONT SEAT CUSHION SUPPORTS. THE END OF ONE OF THE SUPPORTS CAN PUNCTURE THE HARNESS, RESULTING IN A HIGH RESISTANCE ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERHEATING CAN RESULT, AND MELTING, SMOKE AND POSSIBLE IGNITION OF THE SURROUNDING MATERIALS CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TIE STRAP FROM EACH OF THE FRONT SEATS.
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.
1994 Ford Mustang Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year