42 of the 119 complaints about the 1990 Ford Mustang are about the electrical system — 35% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 129,000 miles.
42
Complaints
1
Crashes
26
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE WINDOWS WON'T ROLL DOWN AND I'VE SPENT A WHOLE DAY AND AROUND $100 TRYING TO FIX IT. ALL I WANT IS WORKING WINDOWS, CAN I GET SOME MANUAL DOORS?
NHTSA complaint #10505098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE TURN SIGNALS AND AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BY SLIGHTLY TURNING BACK THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10453580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE. PICUTRES ARE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #10122329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A FORD MUSTANG 1990. THE ELECTRONICAL SYSTEM HAS GONE DOWN THE TOLIET. BOTH THE ELECTRONICAL FRONT WINDOWS AND THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS BARELY WORK. BOTH THE FRONT WINDOWS WORK BUT AS THEY ARE ROLLING UP THEY SQUEAK LIKE NO OTHER. THE LOCKING MECHANISMS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HAVE A MIND OF THERE OWN AND RARELY LOCK OR JUST LOCK ONE SIDE. I HAVE TRIED TO FIX THIS ALL IN VAIN. SUCKS TO HAVE ELECTRONICAL LOCKS AND WINDOWS IN A 1990 FORD MUSTANG. THANKS- RUMIT.
NHTSA complaint #10045553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATEED THE WIPERS, LIGHTS, HEATER, RADIO ETC., DOES NOT WORK UNTIL THE KEYS ARE MOVED AROUND. CONSUMER THINKS IT MAY BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10003671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE MY CAR WAS IN FOR INVESTIGATION (SEE OID#75644 FOR THROTTLE ASSEMBLY FAILURE) THE DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH MODULE FROM RECALL THAT HAD NEVER BEEN DONE BY PREVIOUS OWNER. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHILE DRIVING THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR LOST POWER. SMOKE ROSE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I ROLLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND OPENED THE HOOD WHERE I FOUND THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE ALTERNATOR IN FLAMES. I UNPLUGGED IT AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE FLARED UP 2 MORE TIMES BEFORE DYING OUT.
NHTSA complaint #756912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE MY CAR WAS IN FOR INVESTIGATION (SEE OID#75644 FOR THROTTLE ASSEMBLY FAILURE) THE DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH MODULE FROM RECALL THAT HAD NEVER BEEN DONE BY PREVIOUS OWNER. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHILE DRIVING THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR LOST POWER. SMOKE ROSE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I ROLLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND OPENED THE HOOD WHERE I FOUND THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE ALTERNATOR IN FLAMES. I UNPLUGGED IT AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE FLARED UP 2 MORE TIMES BEFORE DYING OUT.
NHTSA complaint #756912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE ENGINE WOULD STALL WHEN SLOWING FOR A STOP OR TO TURN A CORNER. THIS WOULD OCCUR REGULARLY THROUGH THE LIFE OF THE CAR. REPLACING THE TFI MODULE WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 6-9 MONTHS BEFORE FAILING AGAIN. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES NOW.
NHTSA complaint #755444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE ENGINE WOULD STALL WHEN SLOWING FOR A STOP OR TO TURN A CORNER. THIS WOULD OCCUR REGULARLY THROUGH THE LIFE OF THE CAR. REPLACING THE TFI MODULE WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 6-9 MONTHS BEFORE FAILING AGAIN. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES NOW.
NHTSA complaint #755444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WAS PARKING VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. LEFT VEHICLE TO CHECK UNDER HOOD AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE HAD EXTINGUISHED BYITSELF. ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, UNDER THE HOOD, WAS DAMAGED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. AFTER CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD MECHANIC INDICATED THAT PROBLEM WAS ALTERNATOR.
NHTSA complaint #897955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
AFTER PARKING IN THE GARAGE I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, THE KEY BURNED MY HAND IT WAS SO HOT! THEN MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS APPEARED. THE TURN SIGNALS NO LONGER FUNCTIONED, THE CAR WOULD STALL AT LOW SPEEDS, THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT COME ON, CONVERTIBLE TOP WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE IGNITION RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PREFORMED ON MY CAR PRIOR TO THESE PROBLEMS. THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOUND THE SWITCH BURNED, AND THE WIRING ASSEMBLY MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #751751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I PARKED CAR AND WENT IN HOUSE. 20 MINUTES LATER CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE MARSHALL SAID IGNITION SWITCH WAS TO BLAME AFTER INVESTIGATION.
NHTSA complaint #751192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
A FIRE STARTED IN THE IGNITION AREA. FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #749039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, ENGINE SHUT OFF 30 MINUTES AFTER PARKING VEHICLE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE, WENT OUTSIDE, AND SAW VEHICLE HAD ROLLED FORWARD, HIT GARAGE AND WAS BURNING. VEHICLE AND HOUSE BURNT, AND BOTH WERE TOTALLED. INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR STATED ALTERNATOR STARTED FIRE. NO INJURIES. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #892488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FAILED WITH NO WARNING IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC + LOSS OF PWR STRNG + BRKS.
NHTSA complaint #737841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH ON A FREEWAY EXIT, AS SHE WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR THE EXIT, VEHICLE SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. LOST CONTROL AND IT WENT STRAIGHT INTO A TREE. FRONTAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE SITUATION. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #873931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
RECALL 96V071000; CONSUMER PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED IT HALFWAY, AND VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. CONSUMER UNHOOKED THE BATTERY CABLE AND IT CONTINUED TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS USED & RECALL NOTICE WAS ISSUED 2 YEARS AGO ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER . SERVICED AT FOSTER FORD IN KANSAS.
NHTSA complaint #859625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICLA FAILURE CAUSED THE ALTERNATOR TO CATCH FIRE WHICH RESULTED IN FUMES.
NHTSA complaint #852541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
EVEN IF THE KEY IS TAKEN OUT THE STARTER KEEPS CRANKING THE CAR. IT KEEPS CANKING TILL THE STARTER DIES. REPLACED STARTER 5 TIMES AND THE SOLENOID COILS TWICE AND THE IGNITION SWITCH. HAVE SPENT MORE THAN $500/= ON THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL PERSISTS.
NHTSA complaint #713317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE PARKED VEHICLE EXPLODED AND A FIRE BROKE OUT UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #850451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
HAD ORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED ON 03/05/97 AS PER RECALL. REPLACEMENT IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. CAUSED TWO WIRES TO SHORT OUT WHICH CAUSED A FIRE. IGNITION SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRE HARNESS WERE REPLACED BY FORD DEALER. INITIALLY, FORD INSISTED I PAY FOR REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #708338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR FAILED 4 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #525417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY FAILED SEVERAL TIMES
NHTSA complaint #525417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #525417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR FAILED FIVE TIMES, ONCE RESULTING IN A FIRE. IN ADDITION, UNDER DASH ELECTRICAL WIRES SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN A FIRE. ALSO REPLACED FUEL PUMP/ 2 COOLING FANS AND THROTTLE.
NHTSA complaint #518809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
ALTERNATOR FAILED FIVE TIMES, ONCE RESULTING IN A FIRE. IN ADDITION, UNDER DASH ELECTRICAL WIRES SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN A FIRE. ALSO REPLACED FUEL PUMP/ 2 COOLING FANS AND THROTTLE.
NHTSA complaint #518809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
RECALL WAS DONE ON VEHICLE 3MONTHS AGO ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER SAID THAT FIRE STARTED BECAUSE OF THE IGNITION . OWNER THINKS THAT THE RECALL WAS NEVER DONE.
NHTSA complaint #814117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ALTERNATOR/CONNECTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WILL BE SEEN BY DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #808158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, RECEIVED RECALL LETTER ON THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION # 96V071000 . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #804072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #503006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.