THE HEAD GASKET IN THE ENGINE FAILED. I HAVE BEEN FINDING MORE AND MORE REPORTS THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKETS IN THAT MODEL ENGINE. *AK
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
339 reportsI HAVE IDENTICAL HEAD GASKET,ENGINE,TRANSMISSION AND PAINT PEELING PROBLEMS AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER MUSTANG OWNERS. I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE FROM FORD I AM CONTACTING THEM ONE LAST TIME. ON APRIL 16 I WILL START A PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPIAGN IN MY AREA TO INFORM EVERYONE OF MY PROBELMS WITH FORD AND THEIR PRODUCTS. I WANT…
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I HAVE IDENTICAL HEAD GASKET,ENGINE,TRANSMISSION AND PAINT PEELING PROBLEMS AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER MUSTANG OWNERS. I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE FROM FORD I AM CONTACTING THEM ONE LAST TIME. ON APRIL 16 I WILL START A PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPIAGN IN MY AREA TO INFORM EVERYONE OF MY PROBELMS WITH FORD AND THEIR PRODUCTS. I WANT MY CAR FIXED . FORD KNOWS ABOUT THESE PROBELMS AND WILL NOT FIX THEM. I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND NO MONEY TO FIX THIS NEW YARD ORNAMENT. *AK
DRIVING AT 25MPH THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND THE TEMP INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED DIRECTLY INTO SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN. PERSONALLY VISITED MY DEALER(100 MILES FROM BREAKDOWN) AND THEY THOUGHT IT WAS COVERED( BECAUSE OF A RECALL ON 3.8 ENGINES FROM FORD. HE HAD A BRAND NEW CLAIM ON A MUSTANG …
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DRIVING AT 25MPH THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND THE TEMP INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED DIRECTLY INTO SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN. PERSONALLY VISITED MY DEALER(100 MILES FROM BREAKDOWN) AND THEY THOUGHT IT WAS COVERED( BECAUSE OF A RECALL ON 3.8 ENGINES FROM FORD. HE HAD A BRAND NEW CLAIM ON A MUSTANG ON HIS DESK AND SAID THEY WERE HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR 3-4 WEEKS. I CALLED ANOTHER FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS BROKEDOWN AND THEY SAID THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED ON MUSTANGS YET SHE SAID THEY MAY EVENTUALLY BE INCLUDED BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE MUSTANGS ALSO. SHE ASSURED ME THAT I WOULD BE REIMBURSED IF A RECALL WAS TO HAPPEN. THE CAR HAS A DOCUMENTED SERVICE RECORD. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT. IN MY OPINION THE 3.8 ENGINE ITSELF IS THE PROBLEM. I KNOW THE DETERMINATION WAS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS ONLY BUT I FEEL BECAUSE OF MOST PROBLEMS COMING FROM THEM. THEY ACCOUNT FOR MOST CARS MANUFACTURED TODAY. REAR WHEEL DRIVE(MUSTANG) WAS PROBABLY RULED OUT BECAUSE OF FEWER REPORTS OF PROBLEMS. I LIKE FORDS. I HAVE OWNED AND DRIVEN MANY OF THEM. THIS IS A FORD PROBLEM. *AK
THIS ENGINE IS THE SAME AS THE TAURUS AND WINDSTAR. BOTH VEHICLES ENGINES HAVE BULLITINS ON THEIR HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. THE MUSTANG HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I RUN SYNTHETIC OIL IN THIS CAR AND HAVE CHANGED THE ANTIFREEZE EVERY 20000 MILES. I CHANGE THE OIL AT 3000 MILES RELIGIOUSLY . …
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THIS ENGINE IS THE SAME AS THE TAURUS AND WINDSTAR. BOTH VEHICLES ENGINES HAVE BULLITINS ON THEIR HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. THE MUSTANG HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I RUN SYNTHETIC OIL IN THIS CAR AND HAVE CHANGED THE ANTIFREEZE EVERY 20000 MILES. I CHANGE THE OIL AT 3000 MILES RELIGIOUSLY . THIS IS THE ONLY REASON IT HAS LASTED THIS LONG. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE A/C BRAKE ROTORS AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, AND QUITE MAKING EXCUSES.RRESS/CYTRH
AFTER REPLACING THE THEMOSTAT,WATERPUMP, COOLANT, AND FLUSHING THE COOLING SYSTEM, DUE TO OVERHEATING, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED MY THERMOSTAT AGAIN, AND FLUSHED THE COOLANT SYSTEM AGAIN, AND CHARGED ME $120. THE CAR STILL OVERHEATED. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED IT WS A HEAD GASKET. REPAIRS COST…
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AFTER REPLACING THE THEMOSTAT,WATERPUMP, COOLANT, AND FLUSHING THE COOLING SYSTEM, DUE TO OVERHEATING, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED MY THERMOSTAT AGAIN, AND FLUSHED THE COOLANT SYSTEM AGAIN, AND CHARGED ME $120. THE CAR STILL OVERHEATED. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED IT WS A HEAD GASKET. REPAIRS COST AN ADDITIONAL $1150. FORD HAS ADMITTED A DEFECT ON THIS ENGINE YET WILL NOT EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO MUSTANGS. THE DEALER WOULDN'T EVEN DISCOUNT THE FINAL BILL FOR HIS MISDIAGNOSIS THE FIRST TIME. *AK
THE FORD WINDSTAR OF THE SAME YEAR AND SAME MOTER SIZE WAS RECALLED FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THE THE MUSTANG WITH THE SAME ENGINE WOULDN'T BE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
THIS CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED IN EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION. PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE SHOULD NOT OCCUR IN A CAR OF THIS AGE. FORD IS NOT RECOGNIZING THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET FAILURES IN MUSTANGS. THEY ARE, HOWEVER, RECOGNIZING THE WINDSTAR FAILURES WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND SECRETLY REIMBURSING OWNERS. *AK
BLOWN HEAD GASKET; BROKEN/DAMAGED VALVE; DAMAGE TO TOP OF A PISTON; POSSIBLE OTHER DAMAGE TO ENGINE. *AK
I AM FAITHFUL IN PREFORMING THE NECESSARY PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE STEPS ON MY FORD MUSTANG. THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT ONLY 92,000 MILES IS UNACCEPTABLE. FORD RECENTLY CONTACTED WINDSTAR OWNERS BECAUSE OF PREMATURE FAILURE OF HEAD GASKETS ON 3.8 LITER ENGINES. BUT THEY HAVE NOT INCLUDED THE MUSTANG. WHEN I GO ON THE INTERNE…
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I AM FAITHFUL IN PREFORMING THE NECESSARY PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE STEPS ON MY FORD MUSTANG. THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT ONLY 92,000 MILES IS UNACCEPTABLE. FORD RECENTLY CONTACTED WINDSTAR OWNERS BECAUSE OF PREMATURE FAILURE OF HEAD GASKETS ON 3.8 LITER ENGINES. BUT THEY HAVE NOT INCLUDED THE MUSTANG. WHEN I GO ON THE INTERNET AT YAHOO MESSAGE BOARDS REGARDING FORD I FIND MANY MORE FORD CUSTOMERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT FORD HAS MANUFACTURED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT THAT IS PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE AND THEY SHOULD PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS. TO DATE THEY HAVE REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE +$1,900 REPAIR BILL. I WOULD LIKE FOR THE DOT TO INQUIRE AS TO THE NUMBER OF REPORTED AND/OR REPAIRED HEAD GASKETS ON 3.8 LITER ENGINES AND DETREMINE WHY FORD HAS NOT INCLUDED THE MUSTANG. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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.
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