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: 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
What owners actually said
246 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 1999
Suspension
REAR SWAY BAR BROKEN AT LEFT END. THIS IS NOT A MOUNTING FAILURE BUT AN ACTUAL BREAK! THIS PROBLEM IS SO COMMON THAT ALL DEALERS (MORE THAN FIVE) IN THIS AREA ARE OUT OF REPLACEMENT PARTS!! BECAUSE THIS IS PART OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND BECAUSE SO MUCH OF THE SWAY BAR IS HANGING LOOSE THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SERIOUS SAF…
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REAR SWAY BAR BROKEN AT LEFT END. THIS IS NOT A MOUNTING FAILURE BUT AN ACTUAL BREAK! THIS PROBLEM IS SO COMMON THAT ALL DEALERS (MORE THAN FIVE) IN THIS AREA ARE OUT OF REPLACEMENT PARTS!! BECAUSE THIS IS PART OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND BECAUSE SO MUCH OF THE SWAY BAR IS HANGING LOOSE THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SERIOUS SAFTY HAZARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #705412
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
TIMING COVER GASKET FAILED, CAUSING RADIATOR FLUID TO LEAK, ALSO CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, HOWEVER FLUID LEAKING INO ENGINE IS NOT IMMEDIATELY NOTICEABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE, BY THE TIME LEAK WAS DISCOVERED, ENGINE BEARNGS WERE SEVERLY WORN.
NHTSA ODI #544839
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
CAR OVERHEATED ONCE AND HEAD GASKET BLOWN; ODOMETER RUNS SLOW
NHTSA ODI #704589
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERS, BECOMING SEVERE AT SPEEDS OF 50MPH OR HIGHER. WHEN BRAKING THE WHEEL PULLS HARD, THE PEDAL MUST BE PUMPED TO KEEP FROM STEERING RIGHT. IF YOU BRAKE HARD THE WHEEL "JERKS"HARD CAUSING YOU TO LOOSE …
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MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERS, BECOMING SEVERE AT SPEEDS OF 50MPH OR HIGHER. WHEN BRAKING THE WHEEL PULLS HARD, THE PEDAL MUST BE PUMPED TO KEEP FROM STEERING RIGHT. IF YOU BRAKE HARD THE WHEEL "JERKS"HARD CAUSING YOU TO LOOSE HOLD OF THE STEERING WHEEL IF YOU ARE NOT EXPECTING IT. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN CUT TWICE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THIS TIME IT HAS MADE IT MUCH WORSE.
NHTSA ODI #704104
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension
IGNITION COMPUTER REQUIRED RESETTING. YH
NHTSA ODI #606691
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury
ENGINE UNCONTROLLABLY REVVED UP. YOUR SOFTWARE REJECTS MY MAIL IF I DON'T FILL FALSE DATA INTO THE COLUMNS OF
NHTSA ODI #701129
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 1998
Exterior LightingSeat Belts
BRAKE LIGHTS: THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO AFTERMARKET MODIFICATIONS TO ANY PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK ONLY WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS LIGHTLY PRESSED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THIS PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY BEING ADDRESSED BY THE DEALER, BUT S…
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BRAKE LIGHTS: THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO AFTERMARKET MODIFICATIONS TO ANY PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK ONLY WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS LIGHTLY PRESSED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THIS PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY BEING ADDRESSED BY THE DEALER, BUT SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. SEAT BELTS: THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DOESN'T RETRACT. THE BELT "HANGS LOOSELY" AFTER IT IS THE DRIVER TAKES IT OFF AND REQUIRES "EXCESSIVE" MANUAL ADJUSTMENT FOR A PROPER AND SAFE FIT. MILEAGE ODOMETER: THE MILEAGE ODOMETER DOESN'T WORK. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN BROKEN, BUT I NOTICED RECENTLY THAT IT STOPS OCCASIONALLY. AFTER REVIEWING MY DRIVING PATERNS I BELIEVE THAT THE ODOMETER MAY BE REPORTING MORE MILEAGE THAN I HAVE ACTUALLY PUT ON THE CAR (BUT I HAVE NO ABSOLUTE WAY TO PROVE THIS).
NHTSA ODI #700844
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 1998
Air Bags
DID YOU KNOW THAT AIR BAGS CONTAINED SODUIM AZIDE AND WHEN DETONATED WILL GIVE OFF THA TOXIC AND VERY HARMFUL SODIUM HYDROXIDE (CAUSTIC SODA) IM SURE THE PUBLIC WOULD NOT WANT TO INHALE THESE TOXIC VAPORS WITCH HAVE VERY HARMFUL OR FATIL RESULTS WHEN INHALED I WOULD APPRICATE YOUR IMEDIATE ATTION TO MY CONCERNS. CONCERN ABOUT AI…
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DID YOU KNOW THAT AIR BAGS CONTAINED SODUIM AZIDE AND WHEN DETONATED WILL GIVE OFF THA TOXIC AND VERY HARMFUL SODIUM HYDROXIDE (CAUSTIC SODA) IM SURE THE PUBLIC WOULD NOT WANT TO INHALE THESE TOXIC VAPORS WITCH HAVE VERY HARMFUL OR FATIL RESULTS WHEN INHALED I WOULD APPRICATE YOUR IMEDIATE ATTION TO MY CONCERNS. CONCERN ABOUT AIR BAG SAFETY (OTHER THAN SHORT PERSON). ADDED ON 09-07-1999. *AK
NHTSA ODI #700753
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1998
Air Bags
DURING VEHICLE COLLISION NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG.
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.
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.
1996 Ford Mustang Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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