Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1999 Ford Mustang Cobra
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Suspension
637.5%
Median failure at 28,000 miles
Seat Belts
318.8%
Median failure at 42,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
212.5%
Median failure at 64,400 miles
Engine & Cooling
212.5%
Median failure at 46,150 miles
Brakes
16.3%
Electrical System
16.3%
Median failure at 41,800 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.3%
Median failure at 45,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
17.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
17.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
861.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
215.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
17.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2001peak 3Aug 2009
NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Ford Mustang Cobra
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP05005Opened 22 Sep 2005Closed 4 Jan 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN A...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 74,000 milesStamford, CT
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHILE DRIVING THE METAL PIECE HOLDING THE DRIVER SIDE SHOCK ABSORBER TORE AWAY FROM THE WALL IT WAS MOUNTED TO. THE PIECE THEN TORE INTO THE INNER WHEEL WELL CUTTING IT LIKE RIBBON. THE DAMAGE WAS APPARENTLY CAUSED BY HITTING A BUMP IN ROUGH ROAD BUT THERE WAS NO SINGLE HIT OF A LARGE POT HOLE. JUST NORMAL DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10282193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,800 milesHouston, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
HIGH IDLE SPEED AFTER USING THE CRUISE CONTROL ON 5.11.2008. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON-GOING WITHOUT THE USE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS SOON DETACHED AND THE CONDITION DISAPPEARED. THE IDLE IS NOW FINE,BUT CANNOT USE THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAUSE THE CONDITION WILL RETURN. THE PROBLEM IS QUITE SIMILAR TO THE FORD RECALL NUMBER 99V-062.001, BUT AFTER CONTACTING FORD SERVICE LINE ON 5.25.2008, I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE (1999 FORD MUSTANG COBRA 4.6 4VDOHC) WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10228786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,165 milesWheeling, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD MUSTANG COBRA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED ONTO THE FRONT TIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOCK NUT THAT HELD THE FRONT WHEEL SPINDLE ASSEMBLY DETACHED BECAUSE IT WAS IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED AND FELL OFF . THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,165 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,170. UPDATED 12/12/2007
NHTSA complaint #10204538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesWest Seneca, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WILL NOT PULL OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH DETERMINED THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10152589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,800 milesSugar Hill, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A SPARK PLUG BLEW IN MY 99 MUSTANG COBRA. IT ONLY HAS 41,800 MILES. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE LAST CHANGED 3 YEARS AGO. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED YET. THE THREADS ARE STRIPPED AND THE IGNITION COIL WAS DESTROYED. I BOUGHT A NEW IGNITION COIL AT AN AUTO PARTS STORE.
NHTSA complaint #10131851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesColumbia, MO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ACCELERATOR STICKING WOT ON CARPET ON 1999 MUSTANG COBRA COUPE. DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC DATE. CAR WAS TRADED. I THOUGHT IT WAS SPECIFIC TO MY CAR. I BROKE 3 ACCELERATOR PEDALS DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I THOUGHT THE PEDAL WAS JUST CHEAP. NOW REALIZE THE CARPET BEING TORN WAS DUE TO PEDAL AND NOT ME BASED ON SOME OF THE INFORMATION I HAVE SEEN ON THE NET.
NHTSA complaint #10129857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesSeymour, IN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE SEAT BELT FRONT RETRACTOR ON OUR 1999 FORD MUSTANG COBRA IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IT HAD HAPPEND ABOUT 1 YEAR AND 3 MONTHS AGO AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAD FIXED IT AT NO COST THAT TIME. NOW IT IS NOT FUNCTIONING AGAIN. I HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP BOTH WHICH ARE TELLING US THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WILL BE AT OUR COST. THIS IS A PROBLEM DUE TO BEING PART OF THE SAFETY RESTRAINT OF THE VEHICLE, AND SHOULD BE FIXED AT NO CHARGE. IT WAS NOT FIXED PROPERLY THE FIRST TIME AND FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10121054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,300 milesST. Louis, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
PURCHASED A USED 1999 FORD MUSTANG COBRA SVT WITH 29,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. SINCE OWNING THE CAR, I HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS FAULTY CHASIS WIRING SYSTEM, CAR SHUTDOWN WHEN HOT AND WOULD NOT RESTART, FAULTY IAC VALVE AND THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, NO BACK-UP LIGHTS DUE TO MANUAL TRANSMISSION REVERSE SWITCH FAILURE, AND BRAKE LIGHTS SWITCH FAILURE. AT APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES I HAD NOTICED THE CAR HAD RAN LOW ON COOLANT AND EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION BETWEEN OIL CHANGE INTERVALS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE AT 58,000 MILES ALONG WITH BLUE SMOKE EMANATING FROM THE DUAL EXHAUST. MY MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH THE IAC VALVE AND THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR CITING THE BLUE SMOKE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO A RICH IDLE CONDITION. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RETURNED. AN EXHAUST LEAK WAS DETECTED AND CORRECTED AT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND HEADER CONNECTION POINT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT AWAY, HOWEVER, THE RICH IDLE CONDITION REMAINED. AT A LITTLE OVER 64,000 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF CITY TRAFFIC. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM UNDER-THE-HOOD NOT UNLIKE THE SOUND OF A THROWN ROD. I HAD THE MUSTANG TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHOM DETERMINED FROM THE 3.5 QUARTS OF OIL SLUDGE RECOVERED FROM THE ENGINE, AND THE MILK LIKE FLUID IN THE VALVE COVER PAN, THE VEHICLE HEAD GASKET FAILURE WAS THE MOST PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE EVENT. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, I INTEND TO APPROACH FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR SOME LEVEL OF RELIEF SINCE I AM NOW CONVINCED THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE WAS A SYSTEMIC ENGINE PROBLEM DURING THE 1980'S AND 1990'S.
NHTSA complaint #10068169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesSAN Bernardino, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
FRONT END SHOOK DUE TO DEFECTIV EBALL JOINTS, AND BLUE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE.
NHTSA complaint #10057842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesSAN Bernardino, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
FRONT END SHOOK DUE TO DEFECTIV EBALL JOINTS, AND BLUE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE.
NHTSA complaint #10057842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesSAN Bernardino, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
FRONT END SHOOK DUE TO DEFECTIV EBALL JOINTS, AND BLUE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE.
NHTSA complaint #10057842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesSunnyvale, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
HELLO, TSB 99S26 STATES THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SAFTEY BELT RETRACTOR ON THE 1999 FORD MUSTANG COBRA. I HAVE HAD THE DRIVERS SIDE REPAIRED AT MY COST THEN FOUND THIS RECALL NOTE. HOWEVER THE DEALER AND FORD BOTH CLAIN THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL FOR MY PARTICULAR VIN#. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE AS NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS NOT WORKING. IS THERE A WAY TO FIND OUT IF MY CAR IS COVERED BY THIS SAFETY ISSUE? FORD AND THE DEALER STATE THAT THEY DO NOT SHOW ANYTHING AND THAT THIS IS THE DEPARTMENT THAT CAN HELP OUT.THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. JOHN MILLER.
NHTSA complaint #10021168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesGuyton, GA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
96 COBRA, I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION EITHER WORKED ON OR REPLACED 6 TIMES. IT WENT IN THE SHOP FOR IT'S SECOND NEW TRANSMISSION AND IT TOOK TWO TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE I GOT IT BACK. FROM TALKING WITH OTHER OWNERS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE COBRA'S WITH THE T-45 TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10013585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Troy, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
CONSUMER PICKED VEHICLE UP AFTER NHTSA RECALL 01V121000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL #01S15 REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. DRIVING VEHICLE HOME CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER LETTING UP ON THE CLUTCH VEHICLE SWAYED LEFT AND RIGHT. DEALER WAS REFUSING TO FIX VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH RECALL WORK.
NHTSA complaint #895436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Federal WA, WA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
THE CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE NUMBER OF RECALLS THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kailua, HI
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00V349, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR RECALL REPAIRS, THE CONSUMER DROPPED IT OFF, WHEN PICKING THE VEHICLE UP, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY RAN OUT OF PARTS AND IT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL DELAY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #559052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.