Model year record

1996 Ford Mustang

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 330 owner complaints on file.

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: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer2145,000 mi
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: 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.

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.