Model year record

1996 Ford Mustang

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 329 owner complaints on file.

Ford Mustang, 1994–2004 generation
Pictured: the 1994–2004 generation. Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V318000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
911
Reported to NHTSA
2001-10-03
Owners notified
2001-10-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V349000

Parking brake: conventional

Component
Parking brake: conventional
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
434,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-10-30
Owners notified
2000-11-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V180000

Structure: body: hood

Component
Structure: body: hood
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
769,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-10-20
Owners notified
1997-11-10

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN TOTAL SEPARATION OF THE OUTER HOOD PANEL.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine3071,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1971,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1661,625 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip16—
Power train: automatic transmission13—
Air bags: frontal11—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1160,000 mi
Suspension: rear10—
Unknown or other10113,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system9—
Air bags862,123 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor769,000 mi
Suspension: front7—
Tires717,033 mi
Vehicle speed control7—
Engine and engine cooling6100,540 mi
Power train6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc6—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys5—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch4—
Parking brake417,033 mi
Parking brake: conventional4—
Steering4—
Suspension4169,886 mi
Power train: clutch assembly3—
Power train: manual transmission3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3—
Air bags: side/window2—
Electrical system2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Engine240,242 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights249,100 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly262,123 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2—
Structure2—
Structure: body2—
Structure: body: roof and pillars2—
Structure: frame and members2—
Tires: tread/belt2—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer1145,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting117,033 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system171,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1—
Fuel system, other162,123 mi
Interior lighting1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1—
Seat belts1146,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body: hood1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs198,490 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs198,490 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Wheels1—

The 1995 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many 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.