Model year record

1988 Ford Mustang

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

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.

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.