IllustrationREPEATED BLOWN HEAD GASKET. WRONG ENGINE INSTALLED, 4TH TIME - RESULTING IN TRANSMITION TROUBLE. CURRENT ENGINE LASTED 16 MONTHS. HEAD GASKET GONE, AGAIN. FORD DEALER, AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSE TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. COST OF REPAIRS NOW MORE THAN CURRENT MARKET VALUE OF VEHICLE.
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
What owners actually said
602 reportsHEAD GASKET ON 1995 FORD MUSTANG COUPE HAS ONLY 34000 NEVER DRIVE THE CAR REALIZED THE PROBLEM AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. METAL ON SEAT BRACKET SNAPPED WHERE SEAT WAS BOLTED TO FLOOR. WHEN TURNING SEAT LIFTED UP OFF FLOOR. FORD SAID WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. 36947 MILES AS OF 13 JUNE2003 2519.31 PLUS TAX FOR HEAD GASKET, NOT FIXED. …
Read full complaint
HEAD GASKET ON 1995 FORD MUSTANG COUPE HAS ONLY 34000 NEVER DRIVE THE CAR REALIZED THE PROBLEM AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. METAL ON SEAT BRACKET SNAPPED WHERE SEAT WAS BOLTED TO FLOOR. WHEN TURNING SEAT LIFTED UP OFF FLOOR. FORD SAID WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. 36947 MILES AS OF 13 JUNE2003 2519.31 PLUS TAX FOR HEAD GASKET, NOT FIXED. HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT I CALLED A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER IT HAD EXPIRED. FORD SAYS I DON'T QUALIFY FOR ANY GOODWILL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE OF AGE AND MILEAGE BEYOND GUIDELINES?? ALMOST 37000 MILES ON A 8 YEAR OLD CAR. THE SEAT BRACKET I GOT REPLACED FOR 175.00 AND MY UNCLE FIXED FOR FREE. IT BROKE RIGHT AFTER THE 3 YEARS WAS UP.
1995 FORD MUSTANG 3.8L HAS A FAULTY HEAD GASKET. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES BUT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE MUSTANG.
ALWAYS OVERHEATING, DRIVES ROUGH, BLOWN TIRES, BROKEN RACK & PINION, LOUD SQUEAKING
A SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR MY VEHICLE [XXX] IN THE SPRING OF 2001 FOR ENGINE HEAD GASKETS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. A COOLANT PRESSURE TEST WAS PERFORMED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE NOT BAD ENOUGH TO WARRANT REPLACING AT THAT TIME. IN LATE MAY 2001 THE ENGINE FROZE UP ON MY VEHICLE…
Read full complaint
A SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR MY VEHICLE [XXX] IN THE SPRING OF 2001 FOR ENGINE HEAD GASKETS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. A COOLANT PRESSURE TEST WAS PERFORMED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE NOT BAD ENOUGH TO WARRANT REPLACING AT THAT TIME. IN LATE MAY 2001 THE ENGINE FROZE UP ON MY VEHICLE. I RETURNED IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAFETY RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENGINE WITH A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE ON 6/7/01. THIS HEAD GASKETS ON THIS REMANUFACTURED ENGINE HAVE NOW FAILED IN MY VEHICLE. FORD NOW CLAIMS THAT THE REMANUFACTURED ENGINE HAS A 24 MONTH/24,000 MILE WARRANTY ON IT. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER THEIR RECALL PROGRAM. UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
FUEL FILLER NECK GASKET THAT CONNECTS FUEL FILLER HOSE TO GASOLINE TANK LEAKS. LOOKS AS IF GASOLINE HAS EATEN AWAY THE RUBBER GASKET. *LA
THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND MY ENGINE OVERHEATED CREATING A LARGE SMOKE CLOUD BEHING CAR ENDANGERING OTHER DRIVERS AND MYSELF DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. I CHECK A FORD RECALLS WEBSITE AND IT SAYS THE HEAD GASKET HAS A 7YR OR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY FOR THE 3.8L ENGINE. I CALL MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME THAT CAMPAIGN ENDED IN 2001…
Read full complaint
THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND MY ENGINE OVERHEATED CREATING A LARGE SMOKE CLOUD BEHING CAR ENDANGERING OTHER DRIVERS AND MYSELF DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. I CHECK A FORD RECALLS WEBSITE AND IT SAYS THE HEAD GASKET HAS A 7YR OR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY FOR THE 3.8L ENGINE. I CALL MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME THAT CAMPAIGN ENDED IN 2001 AND EVEN IF IT WAS STILL ACTIVE MY CAR ACCORDING TO VIN NUMBER WOULDN'T EVEN QUALIFY. I THINK I'M GETTING SCREWED HERE. I AM MAD AND I FEEL I'M GETTING THE RUN-AROUND, AND I WANT SOME ANSWERS FROM SOMEBODY. I HAVE BEEN A HUGE FORD FAN AND IF THEY DONT FIX THIS FOR ME I MGIHT CONSIDER GOING TO CHEVROLET.
IN JANUARY 2001, HEAD GASKET BLEW ON THE 1995 MUSTANG. LIMPED INTO FORD DEALER, WHO NOTIFIED ME OF A SILENT RECALL AND REPLACED HEAD GASKET UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. IN MARCH 2001, ENGINE AGAIN STARTED RUNNING HOT, AND HAD TO REPLACE INTAKE GASKET AND WATER PUMP (NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY). IN LATE DEC 2003, ENGINE ONCE AGAIN RU…
Read full complaint
IN JANUARY 2001, HEAD GASKET BLEW ON THE 1995 MUSTANG. LIMPED INTO FORD DEALER, WHO NOTIFIED ME OF A SILENT RECALL AND REPLACED HEAD GASKET UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. IN MARCH 2001, ENGINE AGAIN STARTED RUNNING HOT, AND HAD TO REPLACE INTAKE GASKET AND WATER PUMP (NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY). IN LATE DEC 2003, ENGINE ONCE AGAIN RUNNING HOT, AND TOLD THAT HEAD GASKET NEEDS REPLACEMENT AGAIN BY DEALER. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATES THAT IF CYLINDERS HAD BEEN MACHINED DURING FIRST REPAIR, 2ND HEAD GASKET FAILURE WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. *AK
CONSUMER STATES ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK HEAD GASKETS AND COOLING FAN HAD BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. FORD EITHER COVER THE TOTAL COST OR PARTIAL. THE LAST HEAD GASKET LEAK WOULD COST THE $2300. DOLLARS TO REPAIR WHICH THE CONSUMER DOESN'T THINK SHE S…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER STATES ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK HEAD GASKETS AND COOLING FAN HAD BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. FORD EITHER COVER THE TOTAL COST OR PARTIAL. THE LAST HEAD GASKET LEAK WOULD COST THE $2300. DOLLARS TO REPAIR WHICH THE CONSUMER DOESN'T THINK SHE SHOULD PAY. *PH
VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA RECALL 95V134000. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS WITH INCORRECT TAPER BALL STUDS. THE INCORRECT TAPER BALL STUDS COULD FRACTURE WITHIN 50,000 MILES. *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.