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1996 Ford Mustang

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mustang years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Ford Mustang are substantially higher than the model-year median of 81.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 26 of 246 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 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports6 fire reports13 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

16 reports
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71,000 miles · May 25, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineParking Brake

I HAVE A 1996 FORD MUSTANG LX. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT NIGHT AND I HAD IT ON CRUISE CONTROL AND IT BLEW UP.I TOOK CARE OF MY CAR AND CHECKED THE ENGINE AND THE ANTIFREEZE BEFORE I LEAVE MY HOUSE.I GAVE MY CAR A 15 MINUTE WARM UP PERIOD BEFORE I LEAVE MY HOUSE.THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND BLEW UP DUE TO FAULTY ENGINE GASKET. I HAVE …

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I HAVE A 1996 FORD MUSTANG LX. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT NIGHT AND I HAD IT ON CRUISE CONTROL AND IT BLEW UP.I TOOK CARE OF MY CAR AND CHECKED THE ENGINE AND THE ANTIFREEZE BEFORE I LEAVE MY HOUSE.I GAVE MY CAR A 15 MINUTE WARM UP PERIOD BEFORE I LEAVE MY HOUSE.THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND BLEW UP DUE TO FAULTY ENGINE GASKET. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE STARTER,THE WATER PUMP(2X), RADIATOR, AND PISTONS BECAUSE OF THAT. I AM VERY MAD AT FORD AND I TOLD THEM SO IN DEARBORN MI. I WILL NOT BUY A FORD IN THE FUTURE AND I TELL EVERYONE THAT ASKS ME ABOUT MY BAD EXPERIENCE W/ THIS CAR AND I TELL THEM TO NOT BUY FORD CARS OR TRUCKS. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10073118

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. FORD HAS RECALLED MANY OF THEIR 4.6L INTAKE MANIFOLDS IN THEIR CROWN VICTORIAS, BUT NOT IN THE SAME ENGINE IN THE MUSTANG. THEY NEED TO!! PLEASE HELP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #766638

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED DUE TO PLASTIC MATERIAL USED ON ORIGINAL PART - REPLACEMENT PART IS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND PLASTIC - THIS INDICATES MANUFACTURER KNEW ABOUT ORIGINAL DESIGN BEING FAULTY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #762472

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO AUTO CENTER FOR A SQUEAK BEHIND TIRE, THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BUSTING AT A SEAM AND HAD SPRAYED COOLANT EVERYWHERE, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS MADE OUT OF SOME KIND OF PLASTIC, THERE WAS A RECALL AND THE PRIOR OWNER HAD RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETE, HOWEVER RECALL COMPONENT FAILED AGAIN, FORD …

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CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO AUTO CENTER FOR A SQUEAK BEHIND TIRE, THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BUSTING AT A SEAM AND HAD SPRAYED COOLANT EVERYWHERE, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS MADE OUT OF SOME KIND OF PLASTIC, THERE WAS A RECALL AND THE PRIOR OWNER HAD RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETE, HOWEVER RECALL COMPONENT FAILED AGAIN, FORD WILL NOT REIMBURSE CONSUMER FOR THE FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #8004467

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LOST ALL COOLANT ON THE HIGHWAY. MECHANIC REPORTED PROBLEM IS NOT UNCOMMON, BUT NO RECALL ISSUED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #757442

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

LIFETIME RECALL ON PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #751015

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

GASOLINE LEAKAGE AT RUBBER SEAL BETWEEN GAS TANK AND TUBE(FILLER TUBE). WHERE YOU INSERT THE GAS NOZZEL AT GAS STATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #750051

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE REPAIR INVOICES AND TESTAMENT FROM REPAIR FACILITY THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO THIN PLASTIC WALLS OF INTAKE MANIFOLD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #741947

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL TANK IS DEFECTIVE. AREA OF WETNESS SEEPING FROM TOP OF TANK ON DRIVERS SIDE ADJACENT TO EXHAUST TAIL PIPE CONFIRMED BY DEALER . THE POINT OF DEFECT ON TOP OF TANK IS OBSCURED FROM ROAD HAZARDS BY IT'S CLOSE LOCATION TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE AUTO FRAME, LEAVING THE CONCLUSION THAT THE TANK HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NEED…

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FUEL TANK IS DEFECTIVE. AREA OF WETNESS SEEPING FROM TOP OF TANK ON DRIVERS SIDE ADJACENT TO EXHAUST TAIL PIPE CONFIRMED BY DEALER . THE POINT OF DEFECT ON TOP OF TANK IS OBSCURED FROM ROAD HAZARDS BY IT'S CLOSE LOCATION TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE AUTO FRAME, LEAVING THE CONCLUSION THAT THE TANK HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DO NOT FEEL THIS SHOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE AS THE SEEPAGE AND IT'S PROXIMITY TO THE HOT EXHAUST IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #739417

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE HAS BEEN MANY OTHER LISTINGS REGUARDING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #736973

Official recalls

3

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.

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

3

PE99002 · Front Brake Hose

Opened Jan 11, 1999 · Closed Jun 30, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

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.