Model year record

1989 Ford Mustang

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 127 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: switch15—
Electrical system: ignition13120,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor13—
Vehicle speed control8—
Electrical system: wiring7—
Seats6—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Structure: body: door3—
Structure: frame and members3—
Electrical system2—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2—
Exterior lighting282,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Seat belts2131,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner2—
Structure: body2—
Tires: sidewall2—
Unknown or other2—
Electrical system: starter assembly1123,000 mi
Engine1120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission1—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Steering1—
Suspension: rear1—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Unknown1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—

The 1988 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1990 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.