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FaultScore report

1998 Ford Mustang Convertible problems

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 1998 Ford Mustang Convertible with NHTSA between 2003 and 2011. The largest single group is the seat belts. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 8 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Ford Mustang Convertible All 1998 cars
C

FaultScore 52/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford Mustang Convertible.

How this is worked out

The numbers

15

Complaints

4

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

90,025 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

10%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 37 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 17 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 37
Against the median year of the Ford Mustang Convertible. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
33.3% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 17
10% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1998 compares with every other Ford Mustang Convertible

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1998 Ford Mustang Convertible

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Seat Belts 5 33.3%

Median failure at 115,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 4 26.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 90,000 mi

Seats 1 6.7%

Median failure at 155,720 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 6.7%

Median failure at 90,050 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 6.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 13,000 mi

Suspension 1 6.7%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

Steering 1 6.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 104,920 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 6.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 90,000 mi

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 10.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 10.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 10.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 4 40.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 20.0%
150,000+ miles 1 10.0%

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.

Jul 2003 peak 3 Feb 2011

NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Ford Mustang Convertible

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.

DP05005 Opened 22 Sep 2005 Closed 4 Jan 2006 ENGINE 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...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 13,000 miles Edmonton, 00 Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS TRAVELING HOME FROM WORK AND WAS JUST STARTING TO BRAKE TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO MY CRESCENT WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING UNCONTROLLABLY. I DROVE UP ONTO THE CURB AND TOOK OUT TWO SECTIONS OF FENCE AND TURNED MY WHEEL HARD TO AVOID HITTING A PARKED CAR, THE ACCELERATION FINALLY STOPPED WHEN I CRANKED THE WHEEL, NO EFFECT WHEN I WAS BRAKING AT ALL! I HAVE INJURED MUSCLES IN MY NECK AND BACK.

NHTSA complaint #10208208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Apopka, FL Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO CRACKS IN THE HEAD GASKET, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SLIP. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ON 6/20/06 DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. IT WAS RAINING AND THE RATE OF SPEED WAS 30MPH. NO INJURIES INCURRED BUT MINOR DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS REPORTED IN THE POLICE REPORT.

NHTSA complaint #10160961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Apopka, FL Crash

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO CRACKS IN THE HEAD GASKET, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SLIP. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ON 6/20/06 DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. IT WAS RAINING AND THE RATE OF SPEED WAS 30MPH. NO INJURIES INCURRED BUT MINOR DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS REPORTED IN THE POLICE REPORT.

NHTSA complaint #10160961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,920 miles Antioch, CA Crash

STEERING

DT: WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 20-25 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL KEPT TURNING BUT THE WHEELS WERE NOT MOVING. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT A PARKED CAR. THE CAR WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED, BUT HAS NOT BEEN TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. INSURANCE COMPANY INSTRUCTED A MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WAS NOTED THERE WAS PROBLEM WITH THE SHAFT WHICH BROKE AND THEREFORE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. IT WAS NOTED BY THE MECHANIC, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY AS A DEFECTIVE STEERING ON THE CAR INVOLVING THE SHAFT. MECHANIC SAID HE MUST REPAIR VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS OTHER ISSUES WITHIN THE STEERING OR SUSPENSION. AS OF YET NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED HE AND THE OWNER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE DID NOT THINK IT WAS NECESSARY TO FILE A POLICE REPORT SINCE THE DAMAGE WAS MINIMAL.

NHTSA complaint #10129373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 115,000 miles Lousville, KY

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELTS MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT SECURE ANYONE SITTING IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT HE WOULD NEED TO PURCHASE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELTS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10382999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,050 miles Gilbert, AZ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WE TOOK OUR 1998 6 CYLINDER MUSTANG IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. IT HAS ABOUT 90,000 MILES ON IT. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT IS LEAKING FUEL AND THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. WE NOW HAVE TO SPEND $1000 TO REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL, BOTH VALVE GASKETS, VALVE COVER GASKETS AND FUEL INJECTOR O RINGS. PLUS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT ON LABOR. WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR CAR/ENGINE WILL CATCH FIRE, IF WE DO NOT REPLACE THESE PARTS. THIS IS MY DAUGHTER WHO IS IN COLLEGE'S CAR. HOW CAN THEY HAVE SUCH A HORRIBLE DESIGN AND IF WE REPLACE THE PARTS IS THIS GOING TO BE REPEATED? THE OTHER ISSUE IS THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING FROM AN ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING ELSE. THE TECHNICIAN CHECKED IT BECAUSE WHEN HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, HE THOUGHT HE SMELLED GAS AND THEN FOUND THE LEAK. WE HADN'T NOTICED A LEAK. MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DRIVING BACK TO SCHOOL THIS WEEK.

NHTSA complaint #10272667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,050 miles Gilbert, AZ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WE TOOK OUR 1998 6 CYLINDER MUSTANG IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. IT HAS ABOUT 90,000 MILES ON IT. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT IS LEAKING FUEL AND THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. WE NOW HAVE TO SPEND $1000 TO REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL, BOTH VALVE GASKETS, VALVE COVER GASKETS AND FUEL INJECTOR O RINGS. PLUS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT ON LABOR. WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR CAR/ENGINE WILL CATCH FIRE, IF WE DO NOT REPLACE THESE PARTS. THIS IS MY DAUGHTER WHO IS IN COLLEGE'S CAR. HOW CAN THEY HAVE SUCH A HORRIBLE DESIGN AND IF WE REPLACE THE PARTS IS THIS GOING TO BE REPEATED? THE OTHER ISSUE IS THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING FROM AN ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING ELSE. THE TECHNICIAN CHECKED IT BECAUSE WHEN HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, HE THOUGHT HE SMELLED GAS AND THEN FOUND THE LEAK. WE HADN'T NOTICED A LEAK. MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DRIVING BACK TO SCHOOL THIS WEEK.

NHTSA complaint #10272667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clearlake, CA

SEAT BELTS

PASSENGER AND REAR SEAT BELTS STOPPED WORKING....CANNOT PULL THEM OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10220303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clearlake, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

PASSENGER AND REAR SEAT BELTS STOPPED WORKING....CANNOT PULL THEM OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10220303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clearlake, CA

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

PASSENGER AND REAR SEAT BELTS STOPPED WORKING....CANNOT PULL THEM OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10220303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,000 miles Edmonton, 00 Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS TRAVELING HOME FROM WORK AND WAS JUST STARTING TO BRAKE TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO MY CRESCENT WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING UNCONTROLLABLY. I DROVE UP ONTO THE CURB AND TOOK OUT TWO SECTIONS OF FENCE AND TURNED MY WHEEL HARD TO AVOID HITTING A PARKED CAR, THE ACCELERATION FINALLY STOPPED WHEN I CRANKED THE WHEEL, NO EFFECT WHEN I WAS BRAKING AT ALL! I HAVE INJURED MUSCLES IN MY NECK AND BACK.

NHTSA complaint #10208208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nashville, TN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE A 98 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CAR IS COVERED IN THE CLASS ACTION SUIT, BUT I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT 3 MONTHS AFTER IT EXPIRIED. (FORD VS. CHAMBERLIN). IT'S A MAJOR PROBLEM IN ALL CARS BETWEEN 96-99. I'M SURE YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10161699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Apopka, FL Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO CRACKS IN THE HEAD GASKET, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SLIP. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ON 6/20/06 DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. IT WAS RAINING AND THE RATE OF SPEED WAS 30MPH. NO INJURIES INCURRED BUT MINOR DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS REPORTED IN THE POLICE REPORT.

NHTSA complaint #10160961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Apopka, FL Crash

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO CRACKS IN THE HEAD GASKET, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SLIP. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ON 6/20/06 DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. IT WAS RAINING AND THE RATE OF SPEED WAS 30MPH. NO INJURIES INCURRED BUT MINOR DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS REPORTED IN THE POLICE REPORT.

NHTSA complaint #10160961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,920 miles Antioch, CA Crash

STEERING

DT: WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 20-25 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL KEPT TURNING BUT THE WHEELS WERE NOT MOVING. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT A PARKED CAR. THE CAR WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED, BUT HAS NOT BEEN TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. INSURANCE COMPANY INSTRUCTED A MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WAS NOTED THERE WAS PROBLEM WITH THE SHAFT WHICH BROKE AND THEREFORE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. IT WAS NOTED BY THE MECHANIC, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY AS A DEFECTIVE STEERING ON THE CAR INVOLVING THE SHAFT. MECHANIC SAID HE MUST REPAIR VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS OTHER ISSUES WITHIN THE STEERING OR SUSPENSION. AS OF YET NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED HE AND THE OWNER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE DID NOT THINK IT WAS NECESSARY TO FILE A POLICE REPORT SINCE THE DAMAGE WAS MINIMAL.

NHTSA complaint #10129373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 155,720 miles Encinitas, CA

SEATS

1. I WAS DRIVING FROM SAN DIEGO TO FRESNO, ON I-5. ABOUT 70 MPH. I STRETCHED, AND LEANED BACK INTO THE SEAT, WHEN THE SEAT FLIPPED BACKWARDS FAR ENOUGH TO CAUSE ME TO LOOSE SIGHT OF THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY, I WAS HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTLY ENOUGH TO RAISE MYSELF QUICKLY AND REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*AK 2. A METAL BRACKET THAT CONNECTS THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR TRACK BROKE, CAUSING A LOSS OF RIGIDITY OF THE SEAT. 3. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE PART, OR GET IT WELDED, IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN.

NHTSA complaint #10074598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles West Valley, UT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I SMELLED COOLANT. WHEN I GOT HOME AND CHECKED FOR LEAKS I FOUND THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING COOLANT IT TO THE ENGINE VALLEY. MY MOMS '96 COUGAR AND FRIENDS '98 MUSTANG DID THE SAME THING. THEY HAD TO HAVE THE MANIFOLD REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10074545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ANN Arbor, MI

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

DRIVER-SIDE SEAT BELT IS SEVERLY FRAYED/COMPROMISED. THE PORTION OF THE BELT THAT IS DAMAGED CAN BE SEEN WHEN THE BELT IS EXTENDED OUT AS IN USE (EXTENDED) AND LOOKING DOWN AT THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY. I BELIEVE THIS EXCESSIVE WEAR CONDITION IS PRODUCED BY NORMAL DRIVER MOVEMENTS THAT CAUSE THE BELT TO RUB AGAINST THE GUIDE LOCATED ON THE OUTBOARD BASE OF THE SEAT NEAR THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY. I CAN PROVIDE DIGITAL IMAGES OF THE PROBLEM, IF THAT IS HELPFUL TO YOU. STEPHENFUKS@HOTMAIL.COM

NHTSA complaint #10039375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Harwood Heights, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT

THERE HAS BEEN A "CREAKING" SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AREA FOR OVER A YEAR. I'M VERY GOOD AT GETTING MY CAR SERVICED. AT THE LAST TIRE ROTATION, I HAD THIS CHECKED OUT & THE TECH POINTED TO THE PROBLEM-SAID IT WAS A DRYING OUT OF SEALS, BUT POSED NO DRIVING PROBLEM. STILL, CREAKS LIKE CRAZY. TECH SAID GREEASE WOULDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I AM THE ORIGIAL OWNER; I HAVE LESS THAN 48 K MILES ON THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10028420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.