FaultScore report
Owners have filed 80 complaints about the 1992 Ford Mustang with NHTSA between 1995 and 2014. The largest single group is the electrical system.
80
Complaints
15
Crashes reported
24
Fires reported
11
Injuries reported
116,863 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
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
1 crashes, 0 fires
6 crashes, 0 fires · median 99,920 mi
1 crashes, 1 fires · median 156,000 mi
1 crashes, 1 fires · median 29,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
2 crashes, 0 fires
2 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 171,000 mi
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 125,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 155,000 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
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.
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.
FRONT BRAKE ROTOR FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Electrical
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
SEATS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. FLAMES ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE SEAT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #10149517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR ENCLOSED ATTACHED CRASH REPORTS THAT OCCURRED IN OHIO TURNPIKE. FEBRUARY 2003. STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE FORD MUSTANG TO SKID ACROSS THE LANES DAMAGING BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL, AND HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10022252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR ENCLOSED ATTACHED CRASH REPORTS THAT OCCURRED IN OHIO TURNPIKE. FEBRUARY 2003. STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE FORD MUSTANG TO SKID ACROSS THE LANES DAMAGING BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL, AND HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10022252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR ENCLOSED ATTACHED CRASH REPORTS THAT OCCURRED IN OHIO TURNPIKE. FEBRUARY 2003. STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE FORD MUSTANG TO SKID ACROSS THE LANES DAMAGING BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL, AND HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10022252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR ENCLOSED ATTACHED CRASH REPORTS THAT OCCURRED IN OHIO TURNPIKE. FEBRUARY 2003. STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE FORD MUSTANG TO SKID ACROSS THE LANES DAMAGING BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL, AND HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10022252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR ENCLOSED ATTACHED CRASH REPORTS THAT OCCURRED IN OHIO TURNPIKE. FEBRUARY 2003. STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE FORD MUSTANG TO SKID ACROSS THE LANES DAMAGING BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL, AND HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10022252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE THAT WAS HEARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE IN ADDITION TO THE VEHICLE STALLING SPORADICALLY. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT A CONNECTOR WIRE AND A FUSE LINK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V071000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE IGNITION AS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE TO THE FUSE LINK WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,726.
NHTSA complaint #10577219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF AN EXISTING RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #96V071000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10164547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
1992 FORD MUSTANG LX. CLOCKSPRING IN STEERING WHEEL JAMMED. STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD TO TURN. I COULD DO IT BUT IF MY DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING PERHAPS NOT. SAME FAILURE DISABLED CRUISE (NO BIG DEAL) BUT ALSO HORN AND DRIVER AIRBAG. WERE I AT HIGHWAY SPEED, PASSING, CHANGING LANE, ETC., MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE FAILED PART BOTH CAUSED THE ACCIDENT AND DISABLED THE ACCIDENT SURVIVAL FEATURES OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10153497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. FLAMES ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE SEAT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #10149517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:SIDEWALL
2 SEPERATE TIMES MY SUMITOMO SRIX0N4 225/55HR 16 TIRES, WITH LESS THEN 2500 MILES ON THEM, THE SIDEWALLS COMPLETLY BLEW AFTER TREADWEAR WAS PUNCTURED BY ROAD HAZARD. COMPLETE COLLASP/DISINTEGRATION OF TIRES ON RIM. EXTREME HAZARD (TOTAL TIRE FAILURE) AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 55MPH. REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND.
NHTSA complaint #10137232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR ENCLOSED ATTACHED CRASH REPORTS THAT OCCURRED IN OHIO TURNPIKE. FEBRUARY 2003. STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE FORD MUSTANG TO SKID ACROSS THE LANES DAMAGING BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL, AND HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10022252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR ENCLOSED ATTACHED CRASH REPORTS THAT OCCURRED IN OHIO TURNPIKE. FEBRUARY 2003. STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE FORD MUSTANG TO SKID ACROSS THE LANES DAMAGING BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL, AND HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10022252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR ENCLOSED ATTACHED CRASH REPORTS THAT OCCURRED IN OHIO TURNPIKE. FEBRUARY 2003. STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE FORD MUSTANG TO SKID ACROSS THE LANES DAMAGING BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL, AND HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10022252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR ENCLOSED ATTACHED CRASH REPORTS THAT OCCURRED IN OHIO TURNPIKE. FEBRUARY 2003. STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE FORD MUSTANG TO SKID ACROSS THE LANES DAMAGING BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL, AND HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10022252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR ENCLOSED ATTACHED CRASH REPORTS THAT OCCURRED IN OHIO TURNPIKE. FEBRUARY 2003. STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE FORD MUSTANG TO SKID ACROSS THE LANES DAMAGING BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL, AND HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10022252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONSUMER WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, SHE LIFTED UP THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRE ATTACHMENT WAS UNRAVELING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
NHTSA complaint #10079988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. FIRE STARTED APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED. DRIVER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR, THAT WERE JUST RECENTLY INSTALLED, WERE LOST IN THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER OBTAINED A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #10046424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
UPON STARTING VEHICLE IGNITION FELT VERY HOT, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START.VEHICLE WAS TOWED.
NHTSA complaint #10038279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AUTOMOBILE TEND TO STOP WHILE IDLING AND GOING AT SLOW SPEEDS. THE RPM INDICATOR JUMPS ALL AROUND DURING THIS PROCEDURE. CAR HAS BEEN TO VARIOUS MECHANICS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND CAUSE CANNOT BE DETECTED. * MR *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*740818
NHTSA complaint #10006363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AT 29000 MILES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION SWITCH BECAME VERY HOT WHILE DRIVING AND INTERMITTENTLY SHORTED OUT. CONSUMER HAD TO "JIGGLE" IGNITION TO MAKE IT FUNCTION WHEN STARTING VEHICLE. ALSO, CONSUMER INTERMITTENTLY SAW SMOKE EMITTING FROM STEERING COLUMN WHEN STARTING CAR. RELATED RECALL 96V071000, HOWEVER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10014674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 96 V 071 000. IGNITION ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED IN TURN SIGNALS.
NHTSA complaint #10009976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THERE WERE FIRE FLAME SPOTS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP, EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES WITH THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER, CRUISE CONTROL, KEYLESS ENTRY AUTO TRUCK RELEASE, AND RADIO.
NHTSA complaint #8024024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER 96V071000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,AND DEALER STATED THEY DID RECALL REPAIRS. CONSUMER FELT DEALER NEVER CHANGED DEFECTIVE PARTS BECAUSE CAR WAS RUNNING WHEN IT WAS TAKEN IN, AND CURRENTLY IT WAS NOT RUNNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8018876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE HAS A GAS LEAK DUE TO RUSTED GAS TANK. THIS CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. DEALER CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #8015535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL INTAKE SCREEN CLOGS UP WITH SILICONE. OIL CANNOT FLOW THROUGH PUMP, CAUSING ENGINE TO BURN OUT.
NHTSA complaint #8015531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE, AND HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8015248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF A FIRE STARTED AFTER DRIVER EXITED VEHICLE WHICH CONSUMED THE ENGINE AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENTS. NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE TO THE CAUSE OF THE FIR,E AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96V071000 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #891196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON INTERSTATE ETC., ON WARM DAYS, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BUILD UP HEAT AND FLUID PRACTICALLY EXPLODES FROM THE TRANSMISSION DOUSING THE UNDERSIDE OF CAR AND EXHAUST. I AM AWARE OF THE EXACT SAME SITUATION HAPPENING ON ANOTHER FORD MUSTANG WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION. I CONTACTED FORD WHICH DENIES THAT THERE IS ANY TENDENCY IN THIS TRANSMISSION FOR A SUCH AN OCCURRENCE. FORD WANTS ME TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHILE I BELIEVE THEY MUST BE AWARE OF THE NATURE OF THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #746889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AT ANY TEMPERATURE, AND IT WILL WORSEN AT HIGHER ELEVATION. BUT, IT WILL STILL DO IT AT ANY LOWER ELEVATION. THERE IS NO PRIOR WARNING.DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #885997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.