FaultScore

1996 Ford Mustang electrical problems

12 of the 329 complaints about the 1996 Ford Mustang are about the electrical system — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 145,000 miles.

B

12

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

12V/24V/48V Battery 2 16.7%
Interior/Under Dash 2 16.7%
Electrical System 2 16.7%
Ignition 1 8.3%
Module 1 8.3%
Starter Assembly 1 8.3%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 1 8.3%
Instrument Cluster/Panel 1 8.3%
Speedometer/Odometer 1 8.3%

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 145,000 miles Dalton, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 1996 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while attempting to resell the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 109,000 and at the time of listing the vehicle for sale, it was discovered that the mileage was 145,000.

NHTSA complaint #11656141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grand Rivers, KY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF EVEN AFTER SERVICE.

NHTSA complaint #10222226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wichita Falls, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA complaint #10109118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salinas, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

CONSUMER STATED THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY FAIL DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH HAS FAILED TO EFFECTIVELY REMEDY THE PROBLEM, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND STILL CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *JG

NHTSA complaint #8003556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oklahoma City, OK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (I/C) HOOD INSUFFICIENT TO PREVENT LOWER I/C LIGHTS FROM REFLECTING IN WINDSHIELD WITH TALL DRIVERS. CREATES VERY DISTRACTING REFLECTIONS IN DRIVERS FIELD OF VIEW.

NHTSA complaint #719080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

IGNITION COMPUTER REQUIRED RESETTING. YH

NHTSA complaint #606691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Redlands, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

STARTER FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #605133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Redlands, CA

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

BATTERY FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #605133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mobile, AL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

FRONT BRAKEROTORS/PADS/CALIPERS FAILED. ALSO, REPLACED TRANSMISSION GEARS/CLUSTERS/INTERIOR BODY PANELS.

NHTSA complaint #540763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Beltsville, MD

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

BATTERY REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #514943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa ANA, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#8 PLUG WIRE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #602578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Coatesville, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHEN IDLING DURING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #985226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Ford Mustang problems

← Full 1996 Ford Mustang report