IllustrationTYPICAL HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON MUSTANG. 95 MODELS OF OTHER VEHICLES ARE BEING COVERED, BUT MUSTANGS ARE NOT. APPARENTLY, THE SAME 3.8L ENGINE IS USED, AS WELL AS THE SAME HEAD GASKET. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT HELP DESPITE SERIOUS TREND OF OCCURRENCES AND ONLY 700 MILES BEYOND WARRANTY. *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.
48 crash reports29 fire reports25 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
339 reportsALL OF THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVES ARE SUPPOSEDLY BEING RECALLED WITH THE SAME ENGINE DEFECT (BAD HEAD GASKETS) WHY NOT MINE. JUST BECAUSE IT'S A REAR WHEEL DRIVE. I HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THIS REPAIR AT A DEALER AND I'M LOOKING FOR COMPENSATION FOR THE REPAIR..
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEW OUT, CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER ENGINE BLOCK WHERE OIL IS LOCATED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. OWNER BELIEVES THAT THE 3.8 LTR MOTOR SHOULD BE RECALLED ON ALL PRODUCTS, INCLUDING THIS ONE. *AK *ML
SINCE HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN, ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, PER FOR THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *AK
HEAD GASKET BLOWN @ #4 CYLINDER - SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. 72,299 MILES
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH OVERHEATING AND SMOKE COMING FROM TAIL PIPE. VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER OF A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. MANUFACTURER NOTIFED ,AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVER UNDER FORD'S EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM. *AK
HEARING INCREASING NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
BOTH CYLINDER HEADS REMOVED BY MECHANIC TO REPLACE GASKET AND FOUND #3 CYLINDER TO BE BLOWN. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AT 70,000 MILES - IT IS OBVIUOSLY A DETECT IN DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A FORD RECALL, BUT THE 1995 MUSTANG IS EXCLUDED!
1995 FORD MUSTANG-3.8LITER BLOWN HEAD GASKET- CONTACTED FORD-SAID NOT THEIR PROBLEM. CONTACTED KRON.COM AND FORD ANNOUNCED RECALLS ON 700,000 VEHICLES FOR 1994 AND 1995 WITH 3.8 LITER ENGINES. ONLY LISTED LIMITED SALES CARS/VANS-WINDSTAR,TAURUS. MY PROBLEM IS I HAVE THE SAME ENGINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT FORD DENIES INCLUD…
Read full complaint
1995 FORD MUSTANG-3.8LITER BLOWN HEAD GASKET- CONTACTED FORD-SAID NOT THEIR PROBLEM. CONTACTED KRON.COM AND FORD ANNOUNCED RECALLS ON 700,000 VEHICLES FOR 1994 AND 1995 WITH 3.8 LITER ENGINES. ONLY LISTED LIMITED SALES CARS/VANS-WINDSTAR,TAURUS. MY PROBLEM IS I HAVE THE SAME ENGINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT FORD DENIES INCLUDING THE MUSTANG. IS THE REASON BECAUSE THEY SOLD TOO MANY MUSTANGS AND IT WOULD COST FORD TOO MUCH FOR THE REPAIRS?. THE HEAD GASKETS ARE FACTORY, AND FORD USES THEIR OWN PRODUCT ON ALL 3.8 LITER ENGINES. THE DEALERSHIP, LITHIA FORD IN NAPA, DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE RECALL. PLEASE CONTACT ME OR LEAVE MESSAGE 707-966-2605 OR 707-315-5930. *AK
AFTER 60K SERVICE I HAD MANY OVERHEATINGS, AND FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET COST ~ $1400. *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.