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
What owners actually said
602 reports
Mileage unknown · May 19, 2001
Power Train
THE SPECIFIC FAILURE OF THE PART IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS CALLED TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS PART IN THE TRANSMISSION IS REPONSIBLE FOR SHIFTING THE GEARS. THROUGH MY PERSONAL INVESTIGATIONS, I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT FORD VEHICLES BEFORE THE YEAR 1999 HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTERS, REGARDLESS OF THE MAKE OF THE VEHIC…
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THE SPECIFIC FAILURE OF THE PART IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS CALLED TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS PART IN THE TRANSMISSION IS REPONSIBLE FOR SHIFTING THE GEARS. THROUGH MY PERSONAL INVESTIGATIONS, I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT FORD VEHICLES BEFORE THE YEAR 1999 HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTERS, REGARDLESS OF THE MAKE OF THE VEHICLE. WITH SO MUCH COMPELLING EVIDENCE ABOUT THE FAILURE OF TORQUE CONVERTERS IN FORD VEHICLES, IT SHOCKS ME THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL MANDATED BY THE GOVERNMENT. FORD REFUSES TO PAY FOR THIS DEFECT! PLEASE HELP ME IN RENDERING JUSTICE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #745525
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
OXYGEN SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS DRIVER LOSES POWER AND GAS MEILAGE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #888530
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2001
Power Train
THERE'S A WINDING NOISE BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #888522
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT BRAKES DON'T WORK PROPERLY. WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP, IT FEELS LIKE VEHICLE HYDROPLAINING, AND ITS HARD TO KEEP CONTROL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #888518
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2001
Steering
WHILE DRIVING/TURNING VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. A MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT OUTER TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL 95V134000 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHME…
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WHILE DRIVING/TURNING VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. A MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT OUTER TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL 95V134000 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #888165
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2001
Seats
SEATBACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #887314
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET HAS CRACKED, POSSIBLY DAMAGING ENGINE. *AK CONSUMER RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00M10, HOWEVER FAILURE OCCURRED PRIOR TO RECEIVING NOTICE AND CONSUMER HAS NOT RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #887193
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE 1994 & 1995 FORD MUSTANG ENGINES HAD AN ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND REPAIRS WERE DONE BY FORD DEALERS. FORD DEALERS IN SOME CASES HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINES AND TOLD CONSUMERS THAT FORD HAD PUT A NEW ENGINE, HOWEVER, CONSUMERS WERE NOT TOLD THAT FORD HAD USED HELICOILS ON THE ENGINE CYLINDER BLOCKS. HELICOILS IS A CHEAP, …
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THE 1994 & 1995 FORD MUSTANG ENGINES HAD AN ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND REPAIRS WERE DONE BY FORD DEALERS. FORD DEALERS IN SOME CASES HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINES AND TOLD CONSUMERS THAT FORD HAD PUT A NEW ENGINE, HOWEVER, CONSUMERS WERE NOT TOLD THAT FORD HAD USED HELICOILS ON THE ENGINE CYLINDER BLOCKS. HELICOILS IS A CHEAP, QUICK FIX, AND NON-PERMANANT GAUGET TO REPAIR STRIPPED TREADS. CONSUMERS ARE UNAWARE UNTIL THE CAR IS TAKEN FOR A TUNE-UP OR THE HELICOILS FAIL, CAUSING THE CONSUMER ADDITIONAL REPAIRS IN THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR ANOTHER HEAD JOB. *AK
NHTSA ODI #744801
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BEFORE 100,000 MILES. THE HEAD GASKETS GOING OUT IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM IN MUSTANGS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #744737
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
SEEN FORD HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKETS ON THE 3.8 V6 ENGINE. THIS IS ONE OF THEM.*AK
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.
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 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
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.
1995 Ford Mustang Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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