Owners have filed 21 complaints
about the 1994 Ford Mustang Convertible with NHTSA between 2000 and 2012.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 52
Against the median year of the Ford Mustang Convertible. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 25
4.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1994 compares with every other Ford Mustang Convertible
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1994 Ford Mustang Convertible
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
733.3%
Median failure at 78,500 miles
Electrical System
314.3%
Median failure at 61,428 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
29.5%
Steering
29.5%
Median failure at 111,575 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
29.5%
Median failure at 78,500 miles
Tires
14.8%
Fuel & Propulsion
14.8%
Lights
14.8%
Median failure at 47,856 miles
Suspension
14.8%
Airbags
14.8%
Median failure at 128,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
216.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
758.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
325.0%
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.
Sep 2000peak 5May 2012
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 128,000 milesColumbus, OH1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS DRIVING MY 1994 GT MUSTANG DOWN THE ROAD, AND LUCKILY JUST CLIMBED OFF THE FREE WAY, WHEN BOTH MY DRIVER SIDE & PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN MY FACE, FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, I CALLED FORD, THEY TOLD ME DUE TO MY CAR NOT BEING UNDER WARRANTY, THE PROBLEM DOES NOT LYE ON THEIR END. I FOUND THAT UNBELIEVABLE CONSIDERING AIRBAGS ARE NOT A SERVICEABLE ITEM.
NHTSA complaint #10134629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 47,856 milesAshby, MA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO BLINK AND THEN SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. WAITED FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND TURNED THE LIGHTS BACK ON FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE THEY SHUT OFF AGAIN. THE LIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS WAS FOUND TO BE MELTED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT AT THE CONNECTOR. LATER I FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY MUSTANG OWNERS. MY HEADLIGHT SYSTEM AND WIRING IS COMPLETELY STOCK INCLUDING THE FUSES (WHICH NEVER BLEW). THIS PROBLEM PRESENTS TWO PROBLEMS, COMPLETE LOSS OF LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AND ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10459630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,856 milesAshby, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO BLINK AND THEN SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. WAITED FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND TURNED THE LIGHTS BACK ON FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE THEY SHUT OFF AGAIN. THE LIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS WAS FOUND TO BE MELTED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT AT THE CONNECTOR. LATER I FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY MUSTANG OWNERS. MY HEADLIGHT SYSTEM AND WIRING IS COMPLETELY STOCK INCLUDING THE FUSES (WHICH NEVER BLEW). THIS PROBLEM PRESENTS TWO PROBLEMS, COMPLETE LOSS OF LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AND ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10459630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesScottsdale, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLES HEAD GASKETS FAILED, PCM FAILED AKA THE BRAIN ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10449276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesScottsdale, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLES HEAD GASKETS FAILED, PCM FAILED AKA THE BRAIN ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10449276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,145 milesRound Rock, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FAILED HEAD GASKET ON 1994 MUSTANG WITH APPROX. 79,000 MILES. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT IT COULD COST ME UPWARDS OF $2500-3000 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I'M DISCOVERING THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH FORD ON THIS MATTER AND I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND REIMBURSE ME (AND OTHERS) FOR ALL REPAIR COSTS.
NHTSA complaint #10147871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raymond, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
IN SEPTEMBER OF 2005 I WAS UNDERNEATH MY 1994 MUSTANG GT CONVERTIBLE AND FOUND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SPRING BROKEN. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN STEERING LEFT FOR NO APPARENT REASON FOR SOME TIME AND WAS CHECKED WITH NO RESULTS. THE END OF THE SPRING WAS RUSTY, SO IT WAS NOT A RECENT BREAK. I ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS, BUT HAVE RUN INTO PROBLEMS WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE FORD DESIGN DIVISION HAS PULLED ALL OF THE SPRINGS OUT OF INVENTORY AND ARE REDESIGNING AND REMANUFACTURING THE SPRINGS FOR THE 1994 THROUGH 1997 MUSTANGS. APPARENTLY THE SPRINGS IN STOCK WERE DEFECTIVE OR THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PULLED.
NHTSA complaint #10147828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Liberty, SC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FILLING CAR UP WITH FUEL FUEL FILLER NECK GASKET/SEAL LEAKING FUEL FROM GAS TANK ONTO EXHAUST COULD HAVE CREATED FIRE EXPLOSION. REPLACE GASKET, NOTED THAT ON MULTIPLE FORUMS THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS FILLER NECK SEAL/GASKET FAILURE. I WAS LUCKY I CAUGHT IT, SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY.
NHTSA complaint #10136305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesColumbus, OH1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS DRIVING MY 1994 GT MUSTANG DOWN THE ROAD, AND LUCKILY JUST CLIMBED OFF THE FREE WAY, WHEN BOTH MY DRIVER SIDE & PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN MY FACE, FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, I CALLED FORD, THEY TOLD ME DUE TO MY CAR NOT BEING UNDER WARRANTY, THE PROBLEM DOES NOT LYE ON THEIR END. I FOUND THAT UNBELIEVABLE CONSIDERING AIRBAGS ARE NOT A SERVICEABLE ITEM.
NHTSA complaint #10134629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, VA
TIRES
I PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE FROM CENTURY FORD IN ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND (718 ROCKVILLE PIKE) IN 2002.HEY INDICATED THE MILIEAGE ON THE CAR (94 MUSTANG) WAS 59,120. MY MECHANIC INSPECTED IT LATER AND SUSPECTED THERE WAS A POSSIBLE ROLLBACK OF 20,000.*AK HE INDICATED THE DIGITS ON THE ODOMETER DID NOT LINE UP PROPERLY, THERE WAS EXTREME WEAR ON THE PEDALS, AND THE SCUFFING AND CRACKS ON THE LEATHER ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT SHOWED WEAR OF MUCH MORE THAN 59,120 MILES, POSSIBLEY 80,000. ALSO, THE DEALER DOES IT'S OWN MARYLAND STATE INSPECTIONS AND PASSED TIRES WHICH WERE APPROXIMATELY SIX YEARS OLD. THE SO CALLED MARYLAND STATE INSPECTOR ALSO WORKS FOR THE USED CAR DEPARTMENT. ALTHOUGH HE PASSED THEM (SINCE HE'S REALLY NOT INDEPENDENT OF HIS BOSS ALTHOUGH HE SIGNS AS A MARYLAND STATE INSPECTOR) HE NOTED ON THE INSPECTION SHEET THAT THEY WERE CUPPED AND NOISY. HIS BOSS THE USED CAR MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE TIRES WERE NEARLY NEW AND TO BREAK THEM IN. A WITNESS HEARD THE FALSE STATEMENTS. I WAS NOT TOLD WHAT WAS ON THE REPORT--THAT THEY WERE CUPPED AND NOISY--A VIOLATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS SINCE I WAS NOT GIVEN MATERIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE TIRESAND WAS MIS-LED. A MARYLAND CONSUMER PROTECTION INVESTIGATOR INDICATED THEY WERE OLD AND CUPPED AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT SINCE THEY WERE HARDENING AND BEGINNING TO CRACK. I HAVE HAD TWO NEAR MIS-HAPS--ONE WITH MY GRANDSON IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE SLIPPERY NATURE OF THE HARDENED TIRES ON WET PAVEMENT. AGAIN I WAS TOLD THEY WERE NEARLY NEW AND TO BREAK THEM IN--WITNESSED STATEMENTS. HE WILL NOT REPLACE THE TIRES AND THE MARYLAND INVESTIGATOR HAS NO ENFORCEMENT POWERS. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE SHADY PRACTICES OF THIS DEALER. HE IS DANGEROUS TO OTHER CONSUMERS AND CAN CHEAT THEM. HE STANDS BEHIND A MARYLAND STATE INSPECTION WHICH IS ACTUALLY DONE AT HIS OWN DEALERSHIP BY HIS OWN MECHANIC. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO INVESTIGATE THE ROLLBACK AND THE QUESTIONABLE PRACTICES ?THE CP AGENCY HERE HAS NO POWERES
NHTSA complaint #10052574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE FROM CENTURY FORD IN ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND (718 ROCKVILLE PIKE) IN 2002.HEY INDICATED THE MILIEAGE ON THE CAR (94 MUSTANG) WAS 59,120. MY MECHANIC INSPECTED IT LATER AND SUSPECTED THERE WAS A POSSIBLE ROLLBACK OF 20,000.*AK HE INDICATED THE DIGITS ON THE ODOMETER DID NOT LINE UP PROPERLY, THERE WAS EXTREME WEAR ON THE PEDALS, AND THE SCUFFING AND CRACKS ON THE LEATHER ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT SHOWED WEAR OF MUCH MORE THAN 59,120 MILES, POSSIBLEY 80,000. ALSO, THE DEALER DOES IT'S OWN MARYLAND STATE INSPECTIONS AND PASSED TIRES WHICH WERE APPROXIMATELY SIX YEARS OLD. THE SO CALLED MARYLAND STATE INSPECTOR ALSO WORKS FOR THE USED CAR DEPARTMENT. ALTHOUGH HE PASSED THEM (SINCE HE'S REALLY NOT INDEPENDENT OF HIS BOSS ALTHOUGH HE SIGNS AS A MARYLAND STATE INSPECTOR) HE NOTED ON THE INSPECTION SHEET THAT THEY WERE CUPPED AND NOISY. HIS BOSS THE USED CAR MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE TIRES WERE NEARLY NEW AND TO BREAK THEM IN. A WITNESS HEARD THE FALSE STATEMENTS. I WAS NOT TOLD WHAT WAS ON THE REPORT--THAT THEY WERE CUPPED AND NOISY--A VIOLATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS SINCE I WAS NOT GIVEN MATERIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE TIRESAND WAS MIS-LED. A MARYLAND CONSUMER PROTECTION INVESTIGATOR INDICATED THEY WERE OLD AND CUPPED AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT SINCE THEY WERE HARDENING AND BEGINNING TO CRACK. I HAVE HAD TWO NEAR MIS-HAPS--ONE WITH MY GRANDSON IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE SLIPPERY NATURE OF THE HARDENED TIRES ON WET PAVEMENT. AGAIN I WAS TOLD THEY WERE NEARLY NEW AND TO BREAK THEM IN--WITNESSED STATEMENTS. HE WILL NOT REPLACE THE TIRES AND THE MARYLAND INVESTIGATOR HAS NO ENFORCEMENT POWERS. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE SHADY PRACTICES OF THIS DEALER. HE IS DANGEROUS TO OTHER CONSUMERS AND CAN CHEAT THEM. HE STANDS BEHIND A MARYLAND STATE INSPECTION WHICH IS ACTUALLY DONE AT HIS OWN DEALERSHIP BY HIS OWN MECHANIC. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO INVESTIGATE THE ROLLBACK AND THE QUESTIONABLE PRACTICES ?THE CP AGENCY HERE HAS NO POWERES
NHTSA complaint #10052574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,500 milesTimonium, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE A 1994 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE WITH 3.8L V6. DESPITE USING THE BEST MOTOR OIL AND REGULAR SERVICE, THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 78,500 MI. AND THIS CAUSED A RAPID ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SUBSEQUENTLY, I LEARNED THAT PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE IS SO COMMON TO FORD 3.8L V6S THAT THEY CONDUCTED A VOLUNTARY ENGINE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS PROGRAM AND NOW FORD IS TELLING ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN/WILL DO TO DEFRAY THE COST OF MY ENGINE/TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. I FEEL THAT THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATED TO ME SO THAT I COULD HAVE TAKEN PART. NOW I HAVE REPLACEMENT COSTS OF $3100.00 FOR THE ENGINE AND $2200.00 FOR THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE ASSIST ME WITH THIS MATTER IF YOU CAN...
NHTSA complaint #10039379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,500 milesTimonium, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I HAVE A 1994 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE WITH 3.8L V6. DESPITE USING THE BEST MOTOR OIL AND REGULAR SERVICE, THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 78,500 MI. AND THIS CAUSED A RAPID ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SUBSEQUENTLY, I LEARNED THAT PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE IS SO COMMON TO FORD 3.8L V6S THAT THEY CONDUCTED A VOLUNTARY ENGINE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS PROGRAM AND NOW FORD IS TELLING ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN/WILL DO TO DEFRAY THE COST OF MY ENGINE/TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. I FEEL THAT THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATED TO ME SO THAT I COULD HAVE TAKEN PART. NOW I HAVE REPLACEMENT COSTS OF $3100.00 FOR THE ENGINE AND $2200.00 FOR THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE ASSIST ME WITH THIS MATTER IF YOU CAN...
NHTSA complaint #10039379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,500 milesTimonium, MD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
I HAVE A 1994 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE WITH 3.8L V6. DESPITE USING THE BEST MOTOR OIL AND REGULAR SERVICE, THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 78,500 MI. AND THIS CAUSED A RAPID ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SUBSEQUENTLY, I LEARNED THAT PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE IS SO COMMON TO FORD 3.8L V6S THAT THEY CONDUCTED A VOLUNTARY ENGINE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS PROGRAM AND NOW FORD IS TELLING ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN/WILL DO TO DEFRAY THE COST OF MY ENGINE/TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. I FEEL THAT THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATED TO ME SO THAT I COULD HAVE TAKEN PART. NOW I HAVE REPLACEMENT COSTS OF $3100.00 FOR THE ENGINE AND $2200.00 FOR THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE ASSIST ME WITH THIS MATTER IF YOU CAN...
NHTSA complaint #10039379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesSanta Rosa, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY 1994 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTABLE HAS BLOWN THE HEAD GASKET, IVE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IAM WONDERING WHAT I CAN DO AS A CONSUMER TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED BY THE DEALER?
NHTSA complaint #10025473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,575 milesFairless Hills, PA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHEN BACKING UP AND TURNING THE WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION THE CAR MAKES A BUMPING SENSATION AS WELL AS SQUEAKS. IT FEELS AS IF MOST OF THE BUMPING IS COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXEL OR WHEEL AREA AS WELL AS THE REAR OF THE CAR AND IT WILL ACTUALLY SHIFT THE CAR AND ALTER THE ACCURATE PATH OF DIRECTION. THE MUSTANG HAS ALSO BEEN MAKING SQUEAKS AND GRINDING NOISES WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. I HAVE A 1994 MUSTANG GT CONVERTIBLE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10010174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesSacramento, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET DEFECT ENGINE BLEW.
NHTSA complaint #10005140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cuyahoga F, OH
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW GLASS COME COMPLETELY OUT OF THE RETAINER, CONSUMER TOOK TO FORD TO FIX TWO TIMES, NOW THE GLASS IS STARTING TO SLIP WHENEVER YOU PUT THE WINDOW UP OR DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #782837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cuyahoga F, OH
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE MAKES GROWLING NOISE FROM THE REAR END, DURING ACCELERATION OR TURNING A CORNER, DEALER FIXED FOR THE FIRST TIME, PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING AGAIN. * ET
NHTSA complaint #782838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cuyahoga F, OH
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TIE ROD ENDS SQUEAK WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS, FIRST TIME FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, DEALERSHIP TOLD TO THE CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 94 MUSTANGS.
NHTSA complaint #782836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.