IllustrationCONNECTING ROD FAILURE DUE TO HEAD GASKET PROBLEM
1995 Ford Mustang
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Mustang years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Ford Mustang are substantially higher than the model-year median of 81.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Mustang years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
339 reportsI WAS JUST WONDERING IF I COULD GET REIMBURSED FOR MY BLOWN HEAD GASKET I TALKED TO FORD AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT DOWN AND I DID SO I TOWED IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T FIX THE GASJET FOR FREE BECAUSE IT JUST REACHED 100 THOUSAND MILES AND I HAD TO TOW MY CAR BACK HOME BUT THEY SHOWED NO CONCERN AND TOLD ME TO GET MY CAR…
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I WAS JUST WONDERING IF I COULD GET REIMBURSED FOR MY BLOWN HEAD GASKET I TALKED TO FORD AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT DOWN AND I DID SO I TOWED IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T FIX THE GASJET FOR FREE BECAUSE IT JUST REACHED 100 THOUSAND MILES AND I HAD TO TOW MY CAR BACK HOME BUT THEY SHOWED NO CONCERN AND TOLD ME TO GET MY CAR OUT BECAUSE IT IS BLOCKING THIER WAY I FELT MISTREATED AND IGNORD SO I GOT IT FIXED AT ANOTHER SHOP AND THEY FIXED IT FOR $1300 AND I NEVER HEARD OF ANY RECALL UNTIL I SAW IT ON MUSTANGWORLD.COM SORRY FOR IF THIS IS NOT CONCERNING YOU I JUST DON'T KNOW WHO TO COMPAIN TO THANKS.
CONSUMER STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH CAR . IT CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WOULD NOT START FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS AN ENGINE PROBLEM. *AK
BAUGHT CAR IN AUGUST OF 2000, DROVE IT ONE WEEK AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR VARIOUS ITEMS FIXED; IE; OVERHEATED TWICE THEN BLEW HEADGASKET, DRIVERS REAR ROTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE, RECALL ON HOOD WHICH WAS SEPARATING, MAJOR FUEL LEAK, FUEL HOSE BY FUEL TANK, WATER LEAK FROM TIMING COVER GASKET
WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED TEMERATURE. GAUGE RUNNING HIGH. DEALER INDICATED THAT HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
FIRST TIME FALIURE WAS NOTICED ...WAS GOING 65 DOWN THE INTERSTATE WE PROCDED TO PULL OVER CAUSE THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A NORMAL EVERYDAY OVERHEAT,SO WE PULLED OFF TO A REST AREA TO LET IT COOL DOWN SO WE COULD THEN ADD SOME WATER IN HOPES THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY ..WE THEN STARTED TO DRIVE AT A SLOWER SPEED CAUSE WHEN WE GOT BACK…
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FIRST TIME FALIURE WAS NOTICED ...WAS GOING 65 DOWN THE INTERSTATE WE PROCDED TO PULL OVER CAUSE THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A NORMAL EVERYDAY OVERHEAT,SO WE PULLED OFF TO A REST AREA TO LET IT COOL DOWN SO WE COULD THEN ADD SOME WATER IN HOPES THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY ..WE THEN STARTED TO DRIVE AT A SLOWER SPEED CAUSE WHEN WE GOT BACK IN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON .WE THEN GOT HOME AND WHEN WE GOT THERE WHICH IS A APROXIMATE MILES WOULD BE LESS THEN 30 MILES FROM WHERE FIRST CAME IN TO THE PROBLEM ..I THEN ADDED MORE WATER AND SOME ANTIFREZZE IN HOPES THAT WOULD HELP ..THEN I LET THE CAR SET FOR THE REST OF THE DAY AND THROUGH THE NIGHT ..WHEN I WOKE UP TO GO TO WORK I GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND SENN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON I ALSO NOTICED THE TEMP WENT BACK DOWN BUT OF COURSE TIME WOULD SHOW IT WOULD HEAT BACK UP TO A BUBBLING IN LESS THEN 15 MINS TIME FROM WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED ..I THEN TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL GARAGE AND THEY INFORMED ME THE LEFT HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED ..AND SINCE THEN IT HAS RAN LIKE A CHARM..THANK YOU SALLY
SOUNDS LIKE AN ONGOING PROBLEM
CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD REGARDING HEAD GASKET ( NO RECALL INFORMATION FOUND). MECHANIC LOCATED THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED & THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED BY CONSUMER.*AK
GASKET FAILURE REQUIRED EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSIS; FORD REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIR BECAUSE DIAGNOSIS FINALLY HAPPENED 65 MILES PAST 60,000 MILE WARRANTY; AFTER RECALL, FORD ONLY REFUNDED $495 FORD COST, NOT RENTAL CAR OR RADIATOR REPLACEMENT COST.
ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON, RETURN CAR FOR REPAIR, NEXT DAY ENGINE OVERHEATED; MADE A WHINING NOISE AND SMOKE CAME OUT FROM ENGINE. RETURN CAR FOR REPAIR, ADVISED NEEDS NEW THERMOSTAT. NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START, BATTERY WAS DEAD. TOWED CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP, ADVISED BY SERVICE, MAY HAVE A HEAD GASKET DEFECT. SERVICE CHECKS AND…
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ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON, RETURN CAR FOR REPAIR, NEXT DAY ENGINE OVERHEATED; MADE A WHINING NOISE AND SMOKE CAME OUT FROM ENGINE. RETURN CAR FOR REPAIR, ADVISED NEEDS NEW THERMOSTAT. NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START, BATTERY WAS DEAD. TOWED CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP, ADVISED BY SERVICE, MAY HAVE A HEAD GASKET DEFECT. SERVICE CHECKS AND CONFIRMED HEAD GASKET BLOWN.
Official recalls
501V390000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Dec 21, 2001
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.
01V318000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Oct 3, 2001
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.
00V349000 · Parking Brake:conventional
Oct 30, 2000
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.
97V180000 · Structure:body:hood
Oct 20, 1997
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.
95V134000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly
Jul 17, 1995
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
4EA98013 · 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.