60 of the
132 complaints about the 1988 Ford Mustang are about the
electrical system — 45% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
47,000 miles.
I WAS DRIVING TO A FUNERAL HOME TO PICK UP ASHES 40 MILES FROM HOME WITH TWO CHOW DOGS WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING AND WAS BURNING. THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CONTACTED AAA TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A RELIABLE REPAIR SHOP. I HAD A USED ONE INSTALLED AS THE FORD DEALER SAID THE COMPUTER DOES NOT GO BACK TO THAT YEAR FOR PARTS. I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL AT THAT TIME. HOWEVER I FOUND OUT HOW TO FIND OUT DUE TO A GOOD MORNING AMERICA SHOW. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER THIS TIME IN PERSON AND AGAIN COMPUTER COULD NOT GIVE ANY INFORMATION.THE PERSON IN CHARGE WAS JOHN LARUE AND HE GAVE ME A PHONE NUMBER TO FORD 1-800-392-3673 AND I CALLED EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND APPARENTLY THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AS THERE MAY BE A BLANKET RECALL WHATEVER THAT IS AND NOTHING LISTED ON THEIR COMPUTER AND WAS BLOWN OFF. NOTHING . NADA. I BELIEVE THAT IF YOU SELL IT YOU SERVICE IT IF IT IS DEFECTIVE. THIS IS MY REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10325609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesMill Valley, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN RIDING ROUGHLY AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT PULLED OUT OF TRAFFIC, WAITED TWENTY MINUTES, AND THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. HE DROVE A BLOCK AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
NHTSA complaint #10241065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesFairview, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD MUSTANG. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HORN DO NOT WORK. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DISCONTINUED THE PARTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
NHTSA complaint #10214276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesBurlington, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE IGNITION SWITCH WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED DURING NHTSA CAMPAIGN 96V071000. FORD PART #F29A-11572-DA. WIRING HARNESS END WAS ALSO REPAIRED DUE TO MELTING DURING OVERHEATING OF TERMINALS. THE SWITCH THAT WAS REPLACED DID NOT MELT OR FAIL INTERNALLY, BUT BECAME SEPARATED. THE ORIGINAL SWITCH AS WELL AS THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND A LIGHT DUTY WHITE METAL THAT ARE CRIMPED ON THE ENDS TO CLOSE THE SWITCH. I FOUND THAT THE OLD SWITCH AS WELL AS THE NEW FAULTY SWITCH, BECAME SEPARATED. THE END CRIMPS SLOWLY BEND OPEN AND THE TOP OF THE SWITCH PUSHES AWAY FROM THE BASE. THIS SEPARATION SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY THE INTERNAL SPRING PRESSURE ON THE SWITCH PLATES PUSHING ON THE BATTERY SIDE. THE METAL CRIMPS ARE NOT ABLE TO HOLD THE SWITCH CLOSED. THERE IS NO OTHER MECHANICAL FASTENERS HOLDING THIS SWITCH TOGETHER. THE INCREASED GAP BETWEEN THE CONTACT PLATES CAUSES AN OVERHEATING OF THE SWITCH, PRIMARILY AT THE BATTERY CONNECTORS, MELTING THE SWITCH AND HARNESS ASSEMBLY. MY FIRST SWITCH ONLY CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE HARNESS AND WIRES. BECAUSE I CHECKED INTO THE SMELL OF BURNING INSULATION IN THE COLUMN I DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FIRE OR SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THIS TIME, I DID NOT SMELL ANYTHING, BUT LOST POWER TO MY TURN SIGNALS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE ROAD. WHEN I TRACED THE POWER LOSS I CAME TO THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FOUND THE HARNESS MELTING AGAIN AND THE SWITCH NEARLY SPLITTING IN HALF WHEN IT WAS UNBOLTED FROM THE COLUMN. AGAIN THE SWITCH OPENED UP AS THE METAL BASE GAVE WAY.
NHTSA complaint #10166609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crystal River, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE PLUG ATTACHED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BURNED THE WIRE INSIDE OF THE SWITCH. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH
NHTSA complaint #8024043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
King, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW SOMETIME IN 1988. OVER THE YEARS IT HAS OFTEN STALLED AT THE WORST TIMES. HAD I NOT KNOWN DEFENSIVE MILITARY DRIVING THESE EVENTS MAY HAVE HAD FATAL RESULTS. IT USUALLY SEEMED TO TAKE PLACE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD HEATED CONSIDERABLY. WHEN IT WAS COLD I WAS OFTEN ABLE TO START IT UP. I HAVE SPENT YEARS, MONEY AND GRIEF TRYING TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THIS PROBLEM. I AM PISSED TO FIND OUT THAT FORD KNEW ALL ALONG. MY CAR IS DOING THE SAME [XXX] THING, WHAT ABOUT MY CAR? FORD MADE A COMMENT ABOUT REPLACING THOSE UNDER 100K MILES; WHAT CARS FROM THIS TIME FRAME ARE REALLY UNDER 100K MILES? WILL IT AFFECT ME IN ANY REGARD? CAN YOU ANSWER ANY OF MY QUESTIONS?*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #750842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jacint, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE IGNITION SYSTEM FAILS WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUALLY STALL, CONSUMER IS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE ON EVERY OCCASION SO FAR. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #558129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sebastopol, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
VEHICLE WAS PARKED. SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM DASH. CAR CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #735028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Desert, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY CAR HAS IGNITION STALLING PROBLEMS AND FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #734692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Quakertown, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CAR CAME TO A STOP ON A HIGHWAY ENTRANCE RAMP. TOWED TO SERVICE STATION. FAULTY TFI MODULE
NHTSA complaint #734167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Goldsboro, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THIS VEHICLE WAS PART OF MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 7774, AND WAS FIXED BY DEALER IN 1996. HOWEVER, IGNITION SWITCH STOPPED WORKING BECAUSE THE TWO WIRES THAT POWER THE IGNITION SWITH WERE MELTED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #865368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 96V071000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. DEALER PERFORMED RECALL REPAIRS, BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRED. ALSO, WHEN HEATER IS ON THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #849683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dandrigge, TNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE FROM HOOD AREA. PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO A SERVICE CENTER, OPENED HOOD AND SAW ALTERNATOR ON FIRE. A SERVICEMAN TRIED TO PUT FIRE OUT WITH A EXTINGUISHER, BUT FIRE WOULD NOT EXTINGUISH UNTIL CABLE ON BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED.
NHTSA complaint #845350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winter Park, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED A SHORTAGE IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN #. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #839391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Graham, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE, CONSUMER NOT NOTIFIED OF RECALL ON COMPONENT.
NHTSA complaint #544873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richboro, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #508093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Inman, SCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE PARKED AT AIRPORT. OWNER ON TRIP. FIRE OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE PARKED. FIRE DEPT PUT FLAMES OUT. REPORTED AS ACCIDENT. INDICATED FIRE ORIGINATED IN IGNITION. WIFE NOTIFIED 22 OCT 98 OF FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #831281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Largo, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #781226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lima, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
HAD HEAD & FOG LIGHTS ON. FOG LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING OFF & ON. FOG LIGHT SWITCH OVERHEATED. TURNED OFF FOG LIGHTS. HAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER AS OF YET.
NHTSA complaint #828443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stem, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
VEHICLE HORN FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #521822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Airy, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL: RECALL #96V071 IGNITION SWITCH. HAD RECALL WORK DONE IN MAY 1996. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE MAY 18,1997 . FIREMAN SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #812552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Irving, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE DASHBOARD AREA, CAUSING FIRE. (INSURANCE AGENT FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #511140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNK, 00Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #514739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Islip Terrace, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
RECALL #96V071, ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH: HAD RECALL WORK DONE IN AUGUST 96. VEHICLE PARKED IN LOT AND SOMEONE NOTICED IT WAS IN FLAMES. VEHICLE TOTALED,CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #809109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wolf Lake, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE PARKED, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE STEERING COLUMN TO CATCH ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #808733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNK, 00
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #513009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reading, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE LIGHT STARTED TO BURN . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #806124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilton Manors, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES IN THE OFF POSITION. A VEHICLE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THE CAUSE WAS A FAULTY ALTERNATOR.
NHTSA complaint #805209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sterling, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #506462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yoakum, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
GOING DOWN A STREET, SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASH OF THE CAR, PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR , CHECKED THE HOOD OF VEHICLE, BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM INSIDE, BURNED THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. *AK
NHTSA complaint #804697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.