FaultScore

1992 Ford Mustang electrical problems

31 of the 80 complaints about the 1992 Ford Mustang are about the electrical system — 39% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 108,440 miles.

F

31

Complaints

0

Crashes

20

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Switch 9 29.0%
Ignition 6 19.4%
Front Underhood 4 12.9%
Wiring 4 12.9%
12V/24V/48V Battery 2 6.5%
Electrical System 2 6.5%
Module 1 3.2%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers 1 3.2%
Interior/Under Dash 1 3.2%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 1 3.2%

Electrical System across every Ford Mustang year

1984 14 1.2%
1986 11 1.0%
1987 17 1.5%
1988 60 5.2%
1989 49 4.3%
1990 42 3.7%
1991 38 3.3%
1992 31 2.7%
1993 34 3.0%
1994 26 2.3%
1995 39 3.4%
1996 12 1.0%
1997 10 0.9%
1998 15 1.3%
1999 11 1.0%
2000 17 1.5%
2001 10 0.9%
2002 10 0.9%
2003 10 0.9%
2005 231 20.1%
2006 31 2.7%
2007 35 3.0%
2008 16 1.4%
2010 10 0.9%
2011 24 2.1%
2012 21 1.8%
2013 18 1.6%
2014 11 1.0%
2015 66 5.7%
2016 72 6.3%
2017 34 3.0%
2018 31 2.7%
2019 32 2.8%
2020 25 2.2%
2024 35 3.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 108,726 miles Mckinleyville, CA

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.

at 108,155 miles Scotia, NY

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.

Beaverton, OR

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.

Seattle, WA Fire

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.

East Bend, NC

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.

at 85,000 miles Evansville, IN

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.

at 134,000 miles Evansville, IN

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.

Santa Maria, CA

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.

Manteca, CA Fire

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.

Fort Lauderdale, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

FIRE BROKE OUT UNDER HOOD OF VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. CONSUMER WAS COMING TO A STOP LIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH WHEN RADIO WENT OUT/BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, AND THERE WAS A SMOKING/BURNING SMELL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.

NHTSA complaint #884927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Lauderdale, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

FIRE BROKE OUT UNDER HOOD OF VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. CONSUMER WAS COMING TO A STOP LIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH WHEN RADIO WENT OUT/BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, AND THERE WAS A SMOKING/BURNING SMELL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.

NHTSA complaint #884927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Felton, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

FAULTY IGNITION MODULE CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING LEAVING THE CAR WITH NO POWER, IT WAS REPLACED TWICE IN 2 YEARS. NLM

NHTSA complaint #557686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Felton, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE HAS STALLED 2 TIMES AND BOTH TIMES THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED, THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #874568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Landover, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT WORKING. THIS FAILURE IS SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM IN RECALL 96V71000.

NHTSA complaint #857517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lemoore, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

WHILE DRIVING BATTERY EXPLODED AND WHOLE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER HAS VEHICLE NOW.

NHTSA complaint #851200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Beaumont, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. MJS

NHTSA complaint #548055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fargo, ND Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

NONE

NHTSA complaint #704641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pleasanton, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN A FIRE. IN ADDITION, HEADLAMPS STOPPED FUNCTIONING.

NHTSA complaint #526561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pleasanton, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN A FIRE. IN ADDITION, HEADLAMPS STOPPED FUNCTIONING.

NHTSA complaint #526561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carmichael, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION WAS OFF, AND THERE WAS AND ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE CONSOLE AREA OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #816008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tyler, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WAS DRIVING AND THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE FRONT HOOD.

NHTSA complaint #808607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clovis, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WAS DRIVING AND SMELLED RUBBER BURNING, RESULTING IN VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE .

NHTSA complaint #806447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tampa, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OFF DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #510864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Farmington, NM Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, EARLY THE NEXT MORNING VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE, SHERIFF'S DEPT ARRIVED, OWNER HAD PUT OUT FLAMES BY THAT TIME. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #804606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Town OF Tona, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #986657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bulger, PA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

DRIVING CAR, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, KEPT DRIVING, SMOKE BECAME HEAVIER, STOPPED CAR, JUMPED OUT, CAR CAUGHT FIRE, SOMEONE PUT FIRE OUT.

NHTSA complaint #986604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Naples, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #504016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Amarillo, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE IT WAS PARKED. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #984975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baton Rouge, LA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

IGNITION FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #983238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE FIRE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A SHORT IN THE IGNITION. TT

NHTSA complaint #976699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

← Full 1992 Ford Mustang report