Model year record

1988 Ford Mustang

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 132 owner complaints on file.

Ford Mustang, 1979–1993 generation
Pictured: the 1979–1993 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V071000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
7,900,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-25
Owners notified
1996-06-07

Defect description

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch31—
Electrical system: ignition1098,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator8—
Exterior lighting: headlights8—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch5—
Seat belts: front: retractor4—
Visibility: power window devices and controls4—
Electrical system347,000 mi
Exterior lighting: fog lights3—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar372,313 mi
Vehicle speed control3—
Electrical system: horn217,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Exterior lighting: turn signal217,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch2—
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Seats: front assembly: recliner273,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling15,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seats173,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Structure172,313 mi
Structure: body1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar172,313 mi
Tires1—
Unknown or other1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1218,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Wheels1—

The 1987 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 1989 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Mustang model years

All Ford Mustang recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.