Model year record

1998 Ford Mustang

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 297 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

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 99V062001

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
898,739
Reported to NHTSA
1999-03-30
Owners notified
1999-03-27

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.

Safety risk

IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE MADE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V216000

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
8,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-24
Owners notified
1997-12-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.6L ENGINES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAS MISSING OR INADEQUATE BRAZE JOINTS BETWEEN THE FUEL RAIL BODY AND THE FUEL RAIL MOUNTING BRACKET(S).

Safety risk

IF THE BRACKET SEPARATES FROM THE RAIL, THE RAIL CAN LIFT ONE OR MORE OF THE INJECTORS, AND FUEL LEAKAGE WILL RESULT. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL ON THESE VEHICLES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V165000

Steering: gear box: shaft sector

Component
Steering: gear box: shaft sector
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
2,250
Reported to NHTSA
1997-09-30
Owners notified
1997-10-27

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI-VANS. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEARS MAY HAVE DAMAGED INPUT SHAFT BEARINGS.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN INCREASE STEERING EFFORTS, AFFECTING STEERING CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR, AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THOSE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLIES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. THE DATE CODES FOR WINDSTAR MODEL VEHICLES ARE 97JB09 OR 97JC08; THE DATE CODES FOR MUSTANG MODEL VEHICLES ARE 97J09B OR 97J08B.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline17
Vehicle speed control1578,840 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1090,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional10
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump852,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission8
Air bags799,000 mi
Air bags: frontal7
Parking brake7
Seat belts: front: retractor783,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine6
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar6
Tires6
Fuel system, gasoline5100,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system5
Seats5124,000 mi
Suspension: rear5
Unknown or other588,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch4
Seat belts: front: anchorage4
Seats: front assembly: recliner4
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4
Steering454,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system4
Suspension4112,000 mi
Suspension: front471,951 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3
Engine and engine cooling3118,695 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3
Power train: clutch assembly3
Power train: driveline: driveshaft3
Power train: manual transmission3
Seat belts316,146 mi
Seat belts: front3
Steering: rack and pinion3
Structure: body: door3
Electrical system2112,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Exterior lighting: headlights2113,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2
Power train: axle assembly2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Service brakes278,840 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist2
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device2
Structure: body: trunk lid2
Tires: sidewall2
Visibility: power window devices and controls2
Air bags: side/window1
Child seat1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1
Engine1112,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Equipment: electrical1
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1113,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1
Fuel/propulsion system1274,067 mi
Interior lighting1
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical1
Power train1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Steering: column154,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: rack and pinion: rack154,000 mi
Structure: body1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hood185,000 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: multiple axle1
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal188,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer176,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Visibility: windshield1
Wheels1
Wheels: rim1

The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1999 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.